Dems reject Gibbons on higher ed

The Assembly is working Thursday to reduce the percentage cuts to the budget for higher education from more than 12 percent to 5 percent, despite resistance from Republicans who say the Legislature is increasing a budget shortfall of nearly $900 million not closing it as they were expected to do.

In a party-line show of hands, Democrats spoke up in favor of rejecting a proposal by Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons to cut higher education more than 12 percent.

The show of hands is significant because it gives legislative leaders an indication of what members will or won't support as they draft bills. The Legislature is in special session to balance the budget.

"In my district higher education is economic activity. It is the engine that is going to get this state back on track," said Assemblyman David Bobzien, D-Reno.

Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, R-Las Vegas, echoed other Republicans' sentiment when he said the Legislature is making the shortfall bigger, not smaller.

"We are going to have to be accountable at one point," Stewart said.

Assemblyman James Settelmeyer, R-Garnderville, said he thinks legislative proposals to restore Gibbons' cuts should be coupled with proposals to pay for the decision.

"We are making promises our checkbook can't keep," Settelmeyer said.

Assembly speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, assured members the Legislature would balance the budget.

"We are going to come up with a balanced budget plan within this body," she said.

Contact Review-Journal reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.