Jim Gibbons in 2010 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
Empower local school boards and parents
In early January I unveiled the Gibbons Education Reform plan. My plan calls for parents, teachers and communities to be responsible for their local schools and in control of their children's education. Bureaucrats and politicians in Washington, D.C. and
Carson City, whose ideas of education reform start and end with writing a blank check, have no business dictating how your child is educated. We need to empower local school boards and parents to make decisions which are right for their children.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
On Education:
End cookie-cutter approach & end union influence
The cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all approach to public education has had its time and proven that it doesn't work anymore. What works in Las Vegas, may not work in Winnemucca or Tonopah. 23% of our public schools are failing. I WILL NOT accept that.
If 142 of our schools are not making the grade, what we are doing doesn't work. Throwing more money at this system won't change anything. Continuing to allow unions to dictate Nevada's education policy doesn't work. We need true reform.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Build facilities to generate solar, wind & geothermal power
One of the most important roles state government plays today is in economic development. We are looking not only to expand our manufacturing base, but also to bring new green energy jobs to Nevada. In addition to building facilities to generate
solar, wind and geothermal power, we are also working to establish research and development facilities for newer, better green technologies. This will not only help our environment, it will create new, long-term jobs in Nevada.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
On Government Reform:
6% salary reductions for all state workers
Last year I recommended 6% salary reductions for all state workers. The Legislature imposed furlough days instead. The furlough program is not working. It is unfair because some state workers have pay reductions and some don't.
As we work through this budget, we will look for EVERY WAY TO SAVE MONEY. Many private businesses across the state have cut salaries in order to reduce layoffs or stay in business.
New across-the-board salary reductions for state workers, may be necessary, but that will be a last resort. And just so you know, my entire staff in the Governor's Office has had their pay cut 6 percent. I am donating 6% of my own salary back to the
state to be used for special awards for exceptional teachers.It is with deep sadness and disappointment that I must propose laying off several hundred state workers. Just like the layoffs in the private sector, state government must do the same.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
On Tax Reform:
No new taxes and no expansion of state government
It is time for Nevada government to face facts and make tough choices about the services we can and cannot afford. This unprecedented economic situation is a crisis. Therefore, I will be issuing a proclamation convening a Special Session of the Nevada
Legislature on February 23. This is not a responsibility I take lightly, this is an extraordinary time and we must take action. In 2007, Nevada's economy began a downturn which I knew was not temporary. The Executive Budget I prepared in January of
2009 scaled back state government to weather this crisis. More importantly, the balanced budget I submitted imposed no new taxes and allowed no expansion of state government. The Nevada Legislature disregarded my solution. They raised taxes one
billion dollars, and they made government bigger. They made the wrong call. I vetoed their new taxes and their inflated spending. I thought it was wrong then. I KNOW it's wrong now. I planned responsibly. They gambled on new taxes and we all lost.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018