WINNEMUCCA — You know what they say about governors – at first opportunity they blame the Legislature. 

That’s largely what happened when Governor Jim Gibbons addressed the state Monday night and told viewers he submitted a balanced budget to the Legislature, which included no increase in taxes, but legislators raised taxes, grew the government, and made the situation worse.

“They made the wrong call,” Gibbons said.

Responding to the governor were Assemblymen John Carpenter (Elko), the ranking Republican, and Pete Goicoechea (Eureka) – who are generally not regarded by their rural constituency as tax-n-spend liberals.

“I did take some offense when he said it was the Legislature’s fault,” Goicoechea commented from Las Vegas after yesterday’s (Feb. 9) hearings with the Interim Finance Committee. The assemblyman did support some of the 2009 tax increases but only after they had “swept every corner for every spare nickel” he told SPJ at the time.   

“In terms of the taxes, we had to fill in some holes,” Goicoechea said. “If there had been no new taxes -- right now it would take a 30 percent layoff to balance the budget.”

For his part, Carpenter pointed out in fact he tried to block some of the new taxes but found little support.  Nearly a year after the budget debate he commented, “What this says to me is if they hadn’t raised taxes we’d had a $2 billion deficit instead of a $1 billion one.”

Although the governor made reference to over-burdened taxpayers attempting to support a bloated government, Carpenter disagreed the Legislature made the government bigger in 2009.  In fact, he said, many departments were reduced or eliminated as the Legislature attempted to cut spending and limit tax increases.

In terms of what he’s hearing from his constituency, Carpenter said reduced class sizes remain a priority – despite the governor’s claim it hasn’t increased achievement.  He said, “It works for us in Elko County and I think it works for you in Winnemucca.”

Despite a recent bout of ill-health, Carpenter said he intends to attend the special session slated to begin Feb. 23.  “I’m ready to get back into the saddle,” he said with a laugh and added, “I’m looking forward to it.”