Bryan: Surplus should help Social Security

CARSON CITY -- Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said Tuesday he supports "selective tax cuts" as one way to spend part of the estimated $70 billion federal surplus.

But Bryan made it clear he favors the money first being used to shore up Social Security and Medicare.

In a speech to the Legislature, Bryan said the people at the "right of center" want massive tax cuts while others are appealing for new or enriched programs.

"I would hope we could resist those temptations," Bryan said. "We do not know for how long the economic expansion may continue. There is no short-term prospect for any economic turndown."

But he said there is an opportunity to fix Social Security and Medicare. If nothing is done to bail out Social Security, there will have to be a 25 percent cut in benefits by 2032.

"And Medicare, upon which millions of Americans depend for their health care coverage, faces an even shorter-term prospect of running into financial problems," Bryan said.

Bryan said he would support limited tax reductions, such as giving relief to those who have to finance long-term care for their loved ones.

And while it does not engender much political appeal, Bryan said he backs paying down the national debt. He said 14 cents of every tax dollar now goes to debt retirement. If that can be lowered, money would be available for other programs, he said.

Like Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who spoke Monday, Bryan endorsed a veterans home for Northern Nevada and a bill that would allow the federal government to sell off excess property in rural Nevada. That's similar to legislation permitting these sales in Southern Nevada.

Bryan also dismissed political columnists who suggest there may be a feud between him and Reid. He said they have been friends for 30 years.

Bryan also said Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., has told him he will not run against Bryan in 2000.

Bryan also touted his "Passenger Bill of Rights" for air travelers. "We all know ... what the congestion at the nation's airports has meant in terms of providing basic creature comforts for travelers. More frequently passengers are being bumped.

"Airlines schedules have been delayed. There's difficulty in getting fare information or on your frequent flier miles."

Under his bill, Bryan said, "The nation's airlines must inform you if they are booking you on a plane that is overbooked. They must deliver your baggage within 24 hours after you arrive. It must provide you with fare structure and what options are available and must also tell you how they are going to deal with the frequent flier miles.

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