Guinn promises hard-hitting review; state agencies to be scrutinized

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kenny Guinn's top-to-bottom review of state government formally started Tuesday as a steering panel for the daunting project held off the state Budget Division.

The Republican governor, who promised the effort last January, has outlined an ambitious timeline that includes preliminary findings a year from now.

In his first state of the state speech to legislators, Guinn had promised a hard-hitting "fundamental review of all our state agencies" focusing on ways to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Preliminary work by the committee will help in producing information early next year on Nevada's revenue slot initiatives.

There are at least two revenue-related initiatives in the works, including a casino tax hike proposed by state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, and a business tax proposed by teachers.

The governor also has said the estimate of future Nevada revenue needs that will be developed along with the agency-by-agency analysis will take into account the expected expansion of Indian gambling in neighboring California.

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