MORNING LINE: Is special session necessary?

  Gov. Jim Gibbons has called for a special session of the Legislature Dec. 8-9 to cut $330 million in an effort to balance the state budget. All parties working on this mess agree that cuts are necessary.

  But some people are beginning to wonder whether it wouldn’t have been possible to delay the cuts until the opening of the 2009 Legislature.

  Beyond the logistical challenges, there is the very real possibility that by the time the Legislature enters its regular session the deficit might have grown substantially larger. Economic indicators predict Nevada struggling throughout the coming year.

  And the fact is, calling a special session makes Gibbons look like a leader at a time the state is struggling. It’s the sort of strong message he’ll need to send if he plans on being re-elected. And he does.

  So the answer is, politically speaking, the special session is an absolute necessity.

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