Reid keeps hitting Sandoval with disputed layoff claim

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid continued his attack on Republican Brian Sandoval, albeit with disputed claims.

Reid's new video ad called "Ask" renews a charge by Reid that Sandoval intends to lay off one in five Nevada teachers if elected, a claim Sandoval says isn't true and that is based on dated figures and the assumption teachers would choose layoffs over further pay cuts.

"What opportunities will we be denied when Sandoval's cuts force layoffs of one in five teachers," the speaker in the ad asks.

The layoff assertion is based on a plan Sandoval published in January when the legislature and governor were seeking to cover a shortfall of about $800 million in the state budget. The Sandoval plan included numerous cuts and a proposal to reduce the pay of teachers and other state workers.

Reid's layoff accusation assumes teachers wouldn't agree to any cuts and would force layoffs.

The new ad also points out that Sandoval's plan would have diverted funds now used for class size reduction.

Reid is trailing Sandoval by double-digits in statewide polls. While the Reid campaign has been running critical ads and making repeated calls for debates, Sandoval has maintained a relatively low profile.