Democrats push through jobs bill on partisan vote

By Cy Ryan

Published Monday, March 7, 2011 | 12:38 p.m.

Updated Monday, March 7, 2011 | 1:41 p.m.

CARSON CITY – In the first partisan vote in the Senate this session, Democrats have pushed through a bill aimed at creating jobs at the expense of the budget of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval.

And Sandoval intends to veto it if it reaches his desk.

In an 11-10 vote, the Senate passed and sent to the Assembly a measure to direct 2 cents of the local property tax in Clark and Washoe counties to their regional transportation commissions to spend on road construction.

The 2-cent tax had been set aside by the governor in his budget for support of the state's university system. The move is estimated to free up $27 million for road and street construction.

Dale Erquiaga, senior adviser to the governor, told a news conference Sandoval would veto the bill if it is approved by the full Legislature in its present form. Democrats don’t have a two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said job creation is the major goal of this session and Senate Bill 192 doesn't raise taxes. "This puts people to work" and "this doesn’t gut the budget" of the governor, he said.

He said there is “plenty of time” to consider the budget issues.

Sen. Greg Brower, R-Reno, said diverting money away from the university system is not the answer. He urged a delay on the vote to see if some other solution could be found.

Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, said the diversion creates a shortfall in the governor’s budget. He questioned the rush to get the bill passed.

After the vote, Sen. Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, said the move would create thousands of jobs. The bill, if passed and signed by the governor, would become effective July 1.