Editorial: Even friendship has its limits in politics

Ernaut prompted the chill when he sent a memo to the Legislature last week, saying that from now on the legislative branch's information requests to state agencies have to be routed through Ernaut first. The requests are too time-consuming and take state employees away from their regular jobs, Ernaut contends.

As the Sun's Cy Ryan reported Monday, this request isn't going over well. Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, is upset, saying Ernaut has "thrown down the gauntlet." While not as harsh, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, a strong backer of Guinn, doesn't seem willing to budge, arguing that the Legislature doesn't have the time to go through the governor's office to get the needed information.

Guinn and his chief of staff are finding out that when it comes to the flow of information and power, friendship will only get you so far. Guinn has said he wants to run state government like a business. But the Legislature appears intent on being active as a board of directors and doesn't plan on a being a silent partner in running this enterprise.

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