State pay cut battle begins

At Gov. Jim Gibbons' Thursday address he is expected to propose a 6 percent pay cut for state workers. The cut would save $432 million, about a third of the $1.2 billion the state has to cut if it is to avoid raising taxes.

This proposal already has state workers and teachers' associations hopping mad. And with a Democratic Assembly and Senate, the governor will be sailing into hostile waters.

But if the numbers are true, then state workers and legislators opposing the pay cuts have no choice but to seek higher taxes in order make up the shortfall.

Gov. Gibbons has vowed not to raise taxes and we expect him to veto any bill coming before him that includes a tax hike.

Democratic legislators may have the numbers to override a veto, but will they be willing to face voters after increasing the burden on people who are paying the bill?

If Democrats can't override the veto, what happens when the state's payroll checks stop clearing?

An overreaction to the pay cuts is a trap for state workers. If they're successful in preventing it, and there's no money to make payroll, they may swell the ranks of the jobless.

If taxes are raised to cover the difference, there may be repercussions as well.

The solution to Nevada's budget crisis, and for those of the counties and cities, is to recognize there are no sacred cows.

There are two sides to any budget equation, expenses and revenue. Failure by any side to recognize the real financial danger we're in will result in far more damage than if we deal with the issue realistically.