Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Lawmakers reach agreement on state budget

Budget

AP Photo/Lisa J. Tolda

Gov. Brian Sandoval, right, is joined by legislative leaders Sen. Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, and Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas to announce a budget agreement Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the Nevada Legislative Building in Carson City.

Updated Wednesday, June 1, 2011 | 3:41 p.m.

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Gov. Brian Sandoval and legislative leaders have reached a budget deal to fund state government for the next two years. They announced the details at 2 p.m.

Sandoval thanked legislative leaders, saying both Democrats and Republicans worked on a compromise that Nevadans will be “proud of.”

The construction defect statute had become a surprising sticking point, with Assembly Republicans making it a “hill to die for.”

Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, a contractor whose business has struggled in the downturn and because of lawsuits, said the Republicans got “nothing, nothing.”

Assemblyman Cresent Hardy, R-Mesquite, who had taken the lead for Assembly Republicans on negotiating the construction defect changes, said they will be getting “a little, very little, but a little.”

“I am just happy we got an agreement,” Hardy said. “Not too long ago it looked like we were a long ways away from anything.”

Hansen said the governor “did the best he could. I’m disappointed in (Assembly Speaker) John Oceguera and his buddies, the trial attorneys.” Hansen said he would vote for the budget.

“I’m a team player,” he said.

Democrats also expressed some reservations with the deal, but said they would back it.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s as good as it’s going to get,” said Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas. “It’s better than it would’ve been a week ago.” Democrats control both the Assembly and Senate, but the constitution requires a two-thirds majority to pass a tax increase.

As with most budget agreements, both sides said they are not entirely happy with the deal.

“No one’s happy,” Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas, said. “We’re just getting the sunsets and no new revenue.”

Atkinson, however, said he would vote for the compromise budget.

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