Commission report has SAGE advice

The final SAGE Commission report presented to Gov. Jim Gibbons on this morning made 44 specific recommendations with an estimated millions of dollars in long-term savings.

But the top priority would be changing benefits, including retirement and health care for state workers.

“Dealing with this issue alone will save half of all the money contained in the SAGE Commission’s recommendations,” the report said. “This is not just a financial issue, it is one of fairness for all of our citizens.”

The Spending and Government Efficiency Commission, chaired by Bruce James, said the state has a lean work force “that is paid salaries equal or above the private sector. However, benefits, including taxpayer contributions to retirement and health care programs, greatly exceed the private sector.”

Just a few leading points made by the committee include:

• The state’s budgeting process is archaic and needs revision because it focuses on minutia instead of the big picture.

• A Sunset Commission should be established to review government programs and entities to make sure they are still necessary.

• The state doesn’t even have a complete inventory of its real estate and needs to get a handle on its real estate portfolio.

The commissioners were puzzled by “the lackadaisical attitude of public employees and officials throughout Nevada toward identifying and then relentlessly pursing grant opportunities."

The commission started its work in May 2008 and has been presenting ideas publicly periodically.

But as always, the commission can only recommend changes, it can’t enact them. The heavy lifting must be done by the governor and legislators, who historically water down these well-meaning recommendations.

Maybe this time will be different. Maybe.