Interim Finance Committee

Reports from Reno and Carson City are that the special session buzz was at full speed earlier than usual because of the number of legislators already in the building for IFC.

The situation on both sides of the aisle has been roughly the same: those already in Carson City are griping about the inconvenience of a special session and the lack of an agreed-upon plan, preferably one with their name on it as a sponsor. Those who have not yet arrived in Carson City are griping about the inconvenience of a special session, how they are too busy to get there yet and the lack of an agreed-upon plan, preferably one with their name on it as a sponsor.

All whining aside, there is one problematic undercurrent in almost every conversation. There does not seem to be a clear-cut plan to simply move the money they need to move. The special session seems to be one where they are going to open debate on the number and the need instead of simply the mechanics of filling the hole.

That debate is never closed easily once opened, especially within five months of an election. Stay tuned as this will be worth watching.

LAS VEGAS-The legislature's Interim Finance Committee, meeting by videoconference in Las Vegas, Elko, Reno and Carson City approved Gov. Jim Gibbons' budget cuts today in a session lasting about two hours.

The committee met to review $236 million worth of cuts the governor determined in January.  Initially, the cuts were not going to be submitted to the legislature, but state controller Kim Wallin argued that cuts would need to have legislative review and continued writing checks at precut amounts.  The attorney general sided with Wallin and issued an opinion earlier this month that led to the Friday meeting.

"As I understand the situation," said state Sen. Bob Beers (R-Las Vegas) during the meeting, "if we approve these work programs, then these budget reductions will be implemented.  If we don't approve these work programs, then these budget reductions will be implemented."