Henderson school not included in governor's budget

CARSON CITY - Gov. Kenny Guinn has not included any money in his proposed $3.74 billion budget to start a proposed state college in Henderson.

Instead, the governor is asking the University and Community College System of Nevada to rearrange its budget so it can help pay for faculty salary increases.

By leaving the Henderson college out of his budget, Guinn has made finding the funds more difficult for legislators supporting the school but the move does not kill the project, lawmakers said.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, the lead supporter for the state college, said the exclusion of the school from Guinn's budget ''will mean I will have to work harder to convince people it is a worthwhile project.''

University regents had suggested more than $5 million in state funds so the college could start accepting students in fiscal year 2003.

When asked about the proposed state college, Guinn replied, ''It's not in my budget.''

Guinn, a former interim president at UNLV, says his stance doesn't mean he's going against education. ''I can only stretch these dollars so far,'' he said.

The regents in October approved spending $549,512 this fiscal year to finance a staff of four to begin the proposed four-year school. Of the total, $283,528 will come from a fund set up to study the feasibility of creating the college. The state college foundation will provide $48,651 and the Clark County Medical Association is donating $200,000 to develop a nursing education program.

The money goes for the $175,000-a-year salary for President Richard Moore, along with a $12,000 housing allowance, a $6,000 car allowance and a $5,000 host fund. His top assistant, Orlando Sandoval, will receive a $125,000 salary.