A friend of mine commented recently, "The Legislature and the governor have kicked the can down the road again, and this time they're tearing up the road." She's right.
Some believe the governor and Legislature are to be congratulated. They balanced the budget; they raised some taxes (minimally); they cut services (dramatically), and they moved us backward to 2010 spending levels (Some say this is great progress, but I don't think so.) The governor and the Democratic leadership took great pride in fashioning the compromise. Everyone got hurt a little bit. No one was completely happy (the definition of a good compromise).
There's positive spin being put on the deal, but most Nevadans understand that our economy will suffer.
The underlying principles the Republicans advocate are ideologically attractive but politically ugly. Small government, low taxes, deregulation, minimal spending on public services - including wages, retirement and health benefits for government workers, teachers and public safety employees, and giving tax breaks to the wealthiest - have never worked. From Hoover to Bush such policies have failed. As the new Nevada budget goes into place, we will lose more teachers, state workers and university professors and students. That is the sound of the "road to the future" cracking.
Nevada would be the most economically robust state in the nation if any of those principles worked. Instead we are at the bottom of all states - last in education, in employment opportunities, in access to college. And it's getting worse. Younger families are leaving the state; and what used to be called a "brain drain" by a former president of UNLV will soon turn into a "gushing torrent," draining our intellectual talent pool. Our experienced, brightest faculty will go to other states. More of our students will as well. Faculty will seek better employment. Students will look for better education. They won't return. Big potholes in the Nevada road ahead.
Since Nevada statehood in 1864, we've had small government, low taxes, minimal support for public services and protection for favored corporations. Everything from the constitutional protection for mining in the 19th century to gaming protection in the 20th century, and "One Sound State" principles (trying to attract millionaires to Nevada) in the 1930s.
The 2011 session produced a budget that offers little help for the future. We really need a growth strategy of prudent spending, investment and research for both the public and private sectors. We need education and innovation, an equitable taxation system and high tech business stimulation, i.e. a culture of change for Nevada politics. Anything less will just be "kicking the can" down a badly maintained road.
• Eugene Paslov is a board member of the Davidson Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the former Nevada state superintendent of schools.
