Reaction to Gov. Guinn's state of the state address

Reaction to the Gov. Kenny Guinn's state of the state address:

-Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, on the budget in general and the lack of pay raises:

"We can't construct a balanced budget on the backs of employees in the state of Nevada."

"Basically, it's a status quo budget... It's a flat-line budget for K-12."

-Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa on using tobacco settlement funds for scholarships:

"The Legislature will probably have some review to do. No one would disagree that education is a priority, but I understood from his previous comments that the money would go to health."

-Jim Richardson, lobbyist for Nevada Faculty Alliance, on scholarship funding:

"I know there's some legal question about whether he can use that money for the scholarships, but I certainly hope that we can. We could fritter the money away on lots of little programs, or we could do something that leaves a legacy and that's what the scholarship would do."

-Victoria Franklin, 18, of Las Vegas, who was part of the introductory ceremonies in advance of Guinn's speech, on scholarships:

"I've already graduated, but it's something that my two younger sisters have to look forward to. If I could have gotten the scholarship, I would have gone to UNLV."

-Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, on privatizing the state's industrial insurance system:

"We have already done some major SIIS reform, why not see if that works?"

-Assembly Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, on the budget:

"We're going to take it apart and peel it back to see how it comes together. I don't know what he's doing totally with education. We need to see what he's combining and ironing out. I want to see it."

-Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno:

"This governor shows a complete grasp of the budget situation. ... He comes from the business sector. It's a refreshing approach."

-Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington:

"He was in a tough spot in terms of (state employees and teachers) salaries, but he held the budget pretty well for K-12. It's tough to come into this kind of situation and make these additional cuts. ... He's kind of holding the line."

-Assembly Education Chairman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, on the proposal to include all money earmarked for K-12 class-size reduction programs in per-pupil support:

"I think it is very calculated and suspect."

archive