Governor to Set Special Session Agenda RENO, NV (KUNR) - So far, the governor and legislative leaders have trimmed 914 million dollars from the state's 7 billion dollar 2 year budget without laying off any workers, but as the deficit continues to grow, the governor has decided to reconvene the entire state legislature beginning Monday June 23rd, for 5 days. Lorne Malkewich is director of the Legislative Council Bureau and says the governor sets the special session agenda.

Malkewich: The first rule is that the legislature can only consider matters included in the proclamation or matters referred to the legislature once they're in session, so the agenda will be set by the governor. His press release indicated that he would be asking them to address the revenue shortfall and to take a look at whether or not to defer the cost of living increases that were going to take effect, so until we know precisely the issues the legislators are working on, they're shooting in the dark a little bit.

The governor's press secretary Beh Kiekheifer says the proclamation is being drafted this week and that it will afford lawmakers a lot of latitude to decide how to compensate for the shortfall. Kiekhiefer said that deferring state worker and teacher cost of living increases until the 2009 legislative session is an option that would more than adjust for the remaining 60 million dollar shortfall without resulting in lay-offs, but several Democratic legislators have criticized the plan. The lack of consensus headed into the special session could challenge lawmakers' ability to complete the work in 5 days. And Democrats have given no indication if an effort will be mounted to raise taxes, a move the governor has taken an oath to veto.
© Copyright 2009, KUNR