Democrats, Republicans, business leaders: Time to fix education in Nevada

By Kyle Roerink

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 | 5:45 p.m.

Showcasing a post-election unity among moderate Democrats and Republicans, legislative leaders Marilyn Kirkpatrick and Michael Roberson vowed to fill the state’s gap in its public education budget.

The two are spearheading the push to put politics aside and find revenues to bolster the state’s public education budget. They will be the key players in ushering Gov. Brian Sandoval’s budget agenda through the Republican-controlled Legislature, which may face roadblocks posed by far right GOP members who may refuse to raise taxes.

Roberson will be the Republican Senate majority leader and Kirkpatrick will be the Democratic Assembly minority leader at the upcoming legislative session.

The two spoke to a room full of 250 business and education leaders at a luncheon Thursday sponsored by the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance and the Clark County Education Association.

The unity signaled that moderates in both parties will be in lock step with the governor’s plan.

The event followed the overwhelming defeat of ballot question 3, the proposed 2 percent tax on businesses that would have raised money for education. The initiative was an anathema of the business community and members of both parties. Because voters didn’t approve the tax, a legislative solution is the only option left.

Sandoval will release his budget in January after the state releases its estimated revenue projections. Lawmakers are waiting to see if the governor recommends extending for a third time the $600 million of “sunset” taxes and raising a new tax for funding education.

If the Legislature decides to extend the $600 million “sunset” tax package, the state’s budget will be at least $150 million short, Roberson said.

He said the state has two choices: The state can either reform its tax system and raise new revenues or make cuts to education and other areas.

“I will not cut education,” he said.

The state has faced numerous budgetary reductions since the recession. In 2011, Nevada cut its budget more than any other state.

Kirkpatrick said there’s no program that can afford to lose funds.

She expressed concerns about newly elected members of the Assembly who rode into office on promises of not raising taxes.

“It’s going to be a long, hard-fought session,” she said.

Kirkpatrick has championed raising revenues for years.

During her 10 years in the Legislature, she’s suggested increasing business license fees, the property and live entertainment taxes. The business community didn’t agree.

But their tune may be changing. The state’s business leaders are now looking to the public school system as an incubator for the state’s workforce. Boosting education funding could pay off for them in the long run.

“It’s time we pony up,” said Glen Christenson, chairman of the LVGEA’s education committee.