Weekly editorial recap

MONDAY

'Difficult' year

As Nevada lawmakers gather in Carson City today to convene the 2011 legislative session, they face myriad challenges, particularly surrounding the state budget.

But it's worth remembering that this state is not alone. Despite the constant mantra that Nevada's tax structure makes it uniquely vulnerable to fiscal crisis, the Silver State is just one of many states now forced to deal with years of overspending. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, almost 30 states face deficits running more than 5 percent above their general fund revenue. ...

A primary factor in gaping budget holes: Federal government handouts -- Nevada took home $450 million -- that masked the extent of many state problems last budget cycle have now dried up. Without the Uncle Sam bailout money, states, including Nevada, will have little choice but to confront the hard choices they kicked down the road in years past. ...

The days of spending sprees have passed. So when you hear the wailing about heartless budget cuts -- and you will -- remember that Gov. Brian Sandoval and like-minded lawmakers aren't operating out of a mean-spirited stinginess, but out of necessity. Just like their counterparts all across the country.

TUESDAY

CONSULTING CONTRACTS

A funny thing happens when you give employees a financial incentive to quit: They quit. That partly explains why the state has rehired so many former employees as consultants over the years. Two months ago, a legislative audit of such contracts revealed some potential sweetheart deals. ...

When every state agency knows that every employee is headed out the door in as soon as 20 years, how is it that adequate replacements can't be trained? The idea that so many people are irreplaceable within an organization as large as a state government seems far-fetched. ...

When the work isn't put out to bid and the contracts are rubber-stamped ... that's not a procedure that puts the public's interests first.