Editorial: New vision for Nevada a mixed bag

Gov. Kenny Guinn's State of the State address on Monday evening was a jolt. It was the first time in 16 years that a Republican governor had the opportunity to speak before a joint session of the Assembly and Senate. While on some issues Guinn doesn't differ significantly from his Democratic predecessors, Bob Miller and Richard Bryan, his speech and budget demonstrate he will take a much more conservative and business-oriented approach to governing.

Guinn's one-hour message before the Nevada Legislature was a mixed bag. On a positive note, the new governor preserved K-12 education spending despite tight revenues. He also signaled that he would continue the state's opposition to a high-level nuclear waste dump by boosting funding for a state office with oversight of Yucca Mountain. And his views on state government's role in growth-related issues are welcome.

But on several other issues Guinn's policies are open for debate. He believes that some funds from a tobacco settlement should be used to support a university scholarship program. In addition, a number of questions are raised by his privatization efforts, especially getting rid of the state workers' compensation fund.

Some thoughts on Guinn's vision:

K-12 education. Without a doubt, public education funding is the cornerstone of the state's budget. Guinn came through admirably, devoting 35 percent of the state's budget to elementary and secondary schools, which the new governor says is the highest percentage of funding for K-12 in 10 years. It also was good to see Guinn recommend lifting the caps on charter schools. Under the existing program, there are too many restrictions in place, prohibiting an honest look at whether charter schools can work.

University spending. Guinn wants to create what he calls a "millennium scholarship" program, allowing high school students with B averages or better to get a degree from a Nevada college or university. The goal is noble, but the funding source is wrong. Guinn wants to use part of Nevada's tobacco settlement -- $48 million a year -- to pay for this.

But the settlement Nevada and the other 49 states reached with tobacco companies should not be raided to pay for anything other than tobacco-related illnesses or to fund public health programs. Nevada, which consistently ranks near the top in percentage of people smoking, not too surprisingly also often leads the nation in the number of cancer deaths. Maybe now we know why legislators gave Guinn a standing ovation when he announced the program: If Guinn can dip into the settlement to pay for a favored program then legislators might see this as an opening to pay for their pork-barrel projects.

Yucca Mountain. The federal government has tried every way to get a dump built in Nevada and make this state home to the nation's high-level nuclear waste. The state has been unified in its opposition and Guinn's pledge to provide state funding to the Nevada agency with oversight of the federal investigation (the federal government stopped the agency's funding, prompting the need for more money) is encouraging.

Workers' compensation. Guinn suggested privatizing some state government programs, including the state workers' compensation fund. This state agency has done remarkably well after legislative reforms made during this decade restored its fiscal health and allowed it to operate more effectively. The danger with abolishing the agency is that in a small state such as Nevada some small businesses may not be able to afford the premiums charged by private insurance companies, leaving them no place to turn to for workers' compensation coverage.

Growth. Hopefully the newly created Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, which will act as an advisory council to local governments on growth and planning issues, will result in "smart growth" strategies for the region. Guinn wants to let the process work, vowing not to sign any legislation that would alter this -- unless this new voluntary coalition gives its OK. But if local governments fail to make progress, the next session of the Legislature should consider putting in place a regional planning authority that can make binding decisions.

A governor can't outline every detail in his State of the State message. But it does tell us what he believes is important during the coming two years of his administration. While the first few weeks typically are a honeymoon period for a new administration, it certainly doesn't mean that legislators should stay silent. The Legislature should engage Guinn in a spirited, yet productive, dialogue on these issues.

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