<div id="subtitle">Secrecy surrounding state deficit keeps public, lawmakers out of the loop</div><div><p> The state is facing a $900 million budget deficit, yet the public has heard few specific details or plans to address it. Gov. Jim Gibbons has tightly controlled information coming out of his administration.</p><p>Why?</p><p>As David McGrath Schwartz reported Sunday, Gibbons spokesman Dan Burns said the governorÕs office is concerned about releasing specific budget proposals because doing so might needlessly frighten state employees who would fear losing their jobs, and that might hurt the operation of state government.</p><p>ThatÕs not much of a satisfying answer, particularly considering that the concern hasnÕt kept the governor or his staff from talking about cutting state employee pay.</p><p>Previous governors have said they had to work on budget cuts in private because they needed state agency chiefsÕ candid assessments, which could be hampered in public. ThatÕs fair, but whatÕs happening in Carson City far exceeds that.</p><p>The governor has limited the amount of information going to the Legislature and held a few Òopen-door meetingsÓ for lawmakers, excluding the public. He has also declared that the Òtime for legislative hearings and other delays has long since past — it is time for decisive action and that is what I plan to do.Ó</p><p>When he gives a rare even-year State of the State speech Monday, Gibbons is expected to outline a plan and announce the day he is calling the Legislature into a special session to deal with the deficit. The special session is expected to be within the next few weeks, giving lawmakers — and the public — little time to consider any budget-cutting plans.</p><p>The governorÕs office released a list of proposed cuts Wednesday, but the suggested cuts would make up less than half the deficit. Gibbons didnÕt immediately address the proposals, leaving that to a few key aides, who said they were still considering ideas.</p><p>Gibbons has made his intent clear — he wants to steamroll anyone who opposes him. By trying to manage the flow of information and proposals, he is trying to get the upper hand politically. However, he is also showing his disrespect for lawmakers and the voters who elected them.</p><p>Legislative hearings arenÕt ÒdelaysÓ in this case. They may provide the only real opportunity for public debate on the issue.</p><p>It is beyond time Gibbons quit working solely behind closed doors and come out and present specifics of his plans. Lawmakers and the public should have ample opportunity to consider the facts and comment. Doing anything less is wrong.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68737685&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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