Our choice for governor

Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Nevada is at a critical juncture in its history, and the next governor will have to guide the state through a budget deficit estimated at up to $3 billion. It will take a clear vision to find ways to balance the budget while preserving services that people are relying on, including schools, roads and health care.

In the last election cycle, the man who won the race for governor offered simplistic statements with his no-new-taxes pledge and attacks against “big” government. Such shortsighted bromides may have played well with some voters, but didn’t do anything to help Nevada through this economic crisis.

Instead, state leaders have spent the past four years cutting Nevada’s already tight budget. Although it’s clear there will have to be more cuts, the next governor will have to do more than wield an ax if Nevada is to preserve what it has and position itself to come out stronger in the future.

Through the years, there have been too many leaders who have avoided speaking out or taking tough positions so they could get elected.

In our view, Nevada’s voters have a chance this year to choose a real leader with real ideas and the desire to move the state forward. As chairman of the Clark County Commission, Democrat Rory Reid has proven himself. He has overseen a budget larger than the state’s general-fund budget, and he has taken on some difficult issues head-on, searching for long-term solutions. For example, he brought in Jim Rogers, the former chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, to find ways to turn around University Medical Center, the county’s hospital. He has also worked to strengthen health care and overhauled the county’s ethics laws.

Reid has provided strong, steady leadership on the commission, offering thoughtful plans and building consensus along the way.

One of the impressive things about Reid is that during this campaign he has put out a series of proposals to transform the state by, among others, improving education, reforming government, diversifying the economy and developing renewable energy sources. He is the first leader in a long time who has put his ideas on paper for the public to see.

Although his critics have taken aim at his proposals, Reid’s plans are remarkable in their substance and detail, far more than the talking points most campaigns put out. Unlike the reactionary responses the state has seen from the governor’s office over the past four years, Reid’s common-sense plans lay out a clear vision that would spur the economy, help the citizens and move Nevada forward.

What’s most striking is the contrast between Reid and his Republican opponent, Brian Sandoval, who hasn’t offered anything close to what Reid has. Instead, Sandoval has laid low during the campaign, which is troubling considering the situation the state finds itself in. Nevada needs a leader who has a positive vision, and it has that in Reid.

Reid has trusted the voters with his ideas. We believe voters should trust him to implement those ideas. The Sun endorses Rory Reid.