Rogers says Gibbons trying to ‘muzzle’ him

University system Chancellor Jim Rogers said Tuesday that Gov. Jim Gibbons is trying to "muzzle" him.

Rogers made the allegation in the latest of a series of weekly memos he's been writing on the state of the system as it undergoes budget cuts.

"I am disturbed, but not intimidated or deterred by the efforts of Governor Gibbons, acting through one of his closest advisors, Monte Miller, to phone various Regents on several occasions to attempt to 'muzzle' or control what I write with my weekly memos," the chancellor wrote, "some of which have directly or indirectly criticized the Governor for his total lack of support of Nevada education, not just the higher education system, but also K-12."

Ben Kieckhefer, Gibbons' press secretary, denied Rogers' assertion.

"The notion that anyone would be able to put a muzzle on Jim Rogers is a fallacy," Kieckhefer said.

Rogers, reached at his Montana ranch, said he didn't want to offer further details on the dustup.

"That's the past," he said. "That's done. There's nothing more to comment on."

Rogers said he did not know how many regents Miller is supposed to have contacted.

"He hasn't called me," said Regent Steve Sisolak, who said he knows Miller.

In any event, such an effort probably wouldn't work, Sisolak said.

Rogers agreed. "No regent has contacted me to chew me out yet," he said.

Rogers has been outspoken about budget cuts to the state's education system. He has at various times said the cuts would devastate higher education in Nevada for a generation.

Regent Mark Alden said he hadn't been contacted in an effort to silence Rogers either.

"They both think they're right," said Alden, "and that's part of the problem."

Sisolak said Rogers has the strong support of the Board of Regents.