Happy Labor Day?

Monday, Sept. 1, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

Labor Day this year comes as a tenuous American economy has eroded consumer confidence and left millions of workers worried about their future.

Americans have seen some of the nation’s largest companies flounder. Hundreds of thousands of layoff notices have been handed out as businesses struggle. And the American worker hasn’t been helped by the Bush administration’s anemic economic policies.

The Southern Nevada economy hasn’t been immune to the downturn. The tourism industry and the housing market have slumped, and new construction has slowed to a near halt.

We are thankful, however, that Las Vegas’ economy still has plenty of life in it. For example, thousands of people are working today — at hotels, casinos and stores catering to the Labor Day crowds.

Still, the current situation has left the once unshakable Las Vegas economy shaken. Instead of waiting for it to rebound, as Gov. Jim Gibbons suggests, state leaders should be working on ways to diversify the economy, which has been too closely tied to the cyclical natures of tourism and mining.

Past attempts to diversify the economy have brought limited success, particularly as leaders have hoped to woo companies here with the sole promise of low taxes. The problem, however, is that most companies want more than low taxes. They want a place where good schools produce a well-trained workforce.

Nevada, however, has never properly funded education. Efforts to provide better schools and universities have been stymied by Gibbons and other anti-government activists. As a result, not only are efforts to broaden the economy here hurt, but so are the workers who want more training and a better education to get ahead.

Instead of issuing proclamations or making speeches at picnics today to nominally honor workers, state leaders should be honoring them by crafting a plan to provide a stable economic future for Nevada.