Nevada lawmakers consider budget cuts to programs for the poor

CARSON CITY -- Nevada legislators were told today that $72.8 million in planned state agency cuts would not affect services to the poor and mentally challenged.

The Legislature is meeting in a special session to find ways to deal with a $341.7 million budget shortfall brought on by the recession.

The most controversial change might be a proposal to cut $11.4 million from Southern and Northern Nevada mental health services for purchases of medication.

Legislative staff members said the agencies can absorb the cuts without affecting services to the mentally ill.

But Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, questioned how these cuts can be made since the agencies said they needed the money for medication purchases during the 2007 Legislature.

Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, said officials will be asked later today to explain why the cut can be made.

Care is chairing a meeting in which each of the cuts sought by Gov. Jim Gibbons and legislative leaders is being reviewed in detail.

In an interview, the spokesman for health, mental health and other agencies for the poor said the cuts would not affect services to the poor and mentally challenged.

“These are savings that can be realized without affecting services to our existing clients,” said Ben Kieckhefer, spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Kieckhefer, in particular, said there have been savings in other programs that can be used to purchase medication for people who need it.

Legislators are hoping to approve these cuts to state agencies and other changes by late tonight and adjourn the special session, the 25th called in the history of the state.

Other controversial proposals under consideration include:

—Reducing by $4 million the funds going to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Other funds for the program are available within the Department of Health and Human Services.

—Taking $30 million in Department of Transportation funds earmarked for highway construction. Instead the state will secure the money through the sale of bonds.

—Taking about $1.8 million in rental car taxes now going to rental car companies. The companies had been allowed to keep this money to help pay vehicle licensing costs. While not a tax increase, the change means less money will be going to the companies.

—Taking $25 million that now goes to the counties to cover health care costs of indigent people hurt in motor vehicle taxes.

—Cutting $2.2 million out of a Medicaid program to provide personal care attendants to people unable to take care of themselves.

—Reducing by $6.8 million funds to a Medicaid program to provide medication to poor people. Other funds are available to cover this cost.

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