Budget woes expose elected officials

Last year in a column I warned of the coming budget storm. It wasn't hard to see coming, yet almost every Clark County elected official failed to act fast enough. And, Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature who voted for the budget last year simply failed to act responsibly.

Now comes the news that a new Clark County report shows supplemental pay inflated county labor costs by $155 million. Read that again and let it sink in. Unbelievable.

What I said in that column bears repeating: "As Nevadans begin 2010, we know the upcoming months will test the wisdom of good citizens and elected officials. Unless Nevadans wish to pay more and receive less, there's not going to be enough money to go around next year.

"What to do? Here's a good prescription: Start with a no-nonsense evaluation of existing government services. Identify the services primary to the life and well-being of Nevadans.

"Then, gather up all of the nest-feathering, job-killing public employee benefits — wildly generous pensions, preposterous side agreements, guaranteed overtime, ward-healing graft and no-work work rules — and eliminate them, resolving from that day forward to only pay a fair day's government pay for a fair day's government work."

We're headed for a very difficult period in Nevada. Considering their performance so far, I'm not so sure the current crop of office holders are up to the task.