Overlap of efficiency work is questioned

CARSON CITY — The Gibbons administration questioned Friday why the Legislature would create a committee to review the efficiency of state agencies when that is a job that the governor already performs.

“It is a waste of money,” said Robin Reedy, Gov. Jim Gibbons’ chief of staff. “It is the job of the governor to prepare and make the budget.”

Reedy questioned the need for Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford’s proposal to create a six-member efficiency and accountability committee that will call in key state agency directors and review their budgets line by line.

Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said state law permits the Legislature to create the committee and it is vital that it begin work soon because of a major deficit facing state government in 2011.

He said the panel, which will be created Thursday at an Interim Finance Committee hearing, could even recommend the closing of some state programs.

While Reedy did not question the right of the Legislature to create the committee, she said the duties it will perform are those the governor already uses in preparing state budgets.

“They are going to use state resources on that committee,” Reedy said. “They are going to do what we already do at no cost to the state.”

The Legislature goes into session in February. The governor submits a proposed two-year budget two weeks before legislators arrive in Carson City.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.