Impeach Gibbons and save the state
Gov. Jim Gibbons needs to be impeached.
In his budget proposal last week, he suggested crippling higher education with a $427 million cut while simultaneously condemning even the thought of a tax increase.
At first glance, that idea is absurd. But when considering the future impacts for even a year at such gross under funding, the idea transcends incompetence: It is nothing short of misconduct, an impeachable offense, on the part of the governor to seriously propose such a cut.
The governor was elected under the premise that he would serve the people and lead them through turmoil, not deeper into it. And it is nothing less than malfeasance to try and ruin the future of the state and its people.
It means nothing that legislative leaders have essentially declared Gibbons’ budget dead in the water. To let incompetence so gross as to be misconduct slide because of checks and balances is akin to driving recklessly because you are wearing a seat belt.
Further, Gibbons’ stubbornness in regards to exploring new sources of income for the state teeters on obsessive (he said “tax”in some form 31 times in his speech), and at the very least blinding. It is, at least in part, what led to this state university losing almost half of its state funding.
In a particularly striking hypocrisy during his State of the State address, Gibbons said: “higher taxes will cost more Nevadans their jobs. It is not the role of the state government to put people out of work. Because when all is said and done, the prosperity of our State can only be truly measured by the prosperity of our people.”
What better measurement for a people’s prosperity than their pride in and level of education? It is what allows new industries to form, better health care to emerge and more overall wealth to flow into our state.
There is a nigh-inaccessible limit to what higher education can allow. It is beyond any sane thinking to believe that higher education must be cut before taxes even inch upward. We do not necessarily approve of any increased taxes, but nothing can be kept off the table when just one state department is facing a $427 million cut.
If the legislature does plan to pursue any tax increases, even miniscule ones, then Gibbons must be removed. If not, the fight that is likely to arise will further stall the process of making our state function financially.
Instead, our elected representatives must simply stop the misconduct of the governor before the seat belt has a chance to snap.
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39 Responses to “Impeach Gibbons and save the state”
Nevada college and university students pay the LOWEST tuition in the nation. Yet, Nevada’s college teachers and professors are the SIXTH highest paid. Why the disparity? Does Nevada really need new buildings on its college campuses every year? Does Nevada really need a $250 million dollar building, when a $110 million dollar building will do just fine? Board of Regents… please tighten your FAT belts!
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Ben,
Our students pay low tuition and our professors earn a competitive salary (although not 6th highest according to AAUP). The disparity isn’t strange at all when you consider the goal is to attract both professors and students to Nevada schools in order to increase the amount of human capital in the state.
I can’t speak to your objection to the buildings, but understand the current construction was planned and approved when the budget outlook was brighter.
There was fat to trim, but now we’re getting into the muscle and bone. We’re going to die at this rate.
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I agree with Ben. UNR has had this weird self esteem/inferiority complex for about the last 35 years that seems to have caused this runaway construction spending on infrastructure far beyond the needs of the University and the student body. Don’t get me wrong,it looks great,but it’s really over the top, sort of like the Vegas Strip. It’s fine in the good times, but when money gets tight,it’s an albatross. Financial aid is great, but it’s very draining-besides giving someone a free ride, it also eliminates the spot for a paying student.
Just as a point of reference regarding the tuition level; in September,1970 I was being charged about $300 per semester.
What is it now?
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Gibbons’ tragedy lies in his inability to deviate from the party line, or even dare to question it. Like every other Republican, he had promised not to raise taxes. The cruel irony is that he has stayed true to his word, unable to differentiate obligatory campaign promises from the necessary course of action. Thus, in his own way, Gibbons is the most honest politician in the country. Although he doubtlessly deserves to be impeached for the disgrace he brought to our state, it is worth remembering that we, Nevadans, elected him in the first place. As a wise man once said, be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.
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74 alum,
I’m not sure about the total cost of one semester, but $300 wouldn’t even pay for a 3-credit class anymore. According to http://www.unr.edu/vpaf/controller/cashier/spring.htm, each credit costs $133.50 for a full-time student…
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74 alum,
No one is “eliminating” someone elses spot at the University. The campus is growing and they are trying to recruit more and more students, and they are not at a fixed number. As long as a student meets the requirements, there shouldn’t be a problem. I’m not really sure where you are getting your information, but it must not be very reliable. I love it when uninformed people want to hear themselves speak.
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Gibbons and his planners need to have a better plan. Cutting half the higher education budget has come as a shock to the school. He should just cut the 15-20% that UNR expected, and then raise taxes. Come on, people in this state pay some of the lowest taxes in the country, it’s time they start taking responsibility for the condition of their state by paying some taxes rather than just leeching off the state because the tax rate is so low.
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I think the editorial board has shown its lack of knowledge of the budget that Gibbons has presented.
The editorial board says: ” while simultaneously condemning even the thought of a tax increase” and “before taxes even inch upward”.
Just a FYI, the budged presented by Gibbons has a hotel room tax increased in it.
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The point was, in 1970 a semester cost around $300, today if one takes 15 units per semester it costs about $2k. That increase is about 60% of what the overall inflationary increase has been in the last 39 years. Brand new, a 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner cost $3600. a comparable car today would cost over 10X amount.
15 units at UNR should cost at least $3k.
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I went to UNR in the 70’s. My parents were professor at UNR and the Board of Regents and administrators have always been better paid. Current coaching salaries are unbelievable. I now have family attending UNR and I am paying the tuition. I do not believe teachers and professors have lofty salaries, but I do believe there is room for UNR to provide money savings for the State budget; however, that is not really the point of the editorial.
The paper is calling for impeachment based upon what they characterize as misconduct in the presentation of a budget recommendation to the legislature.
While I am not fond of the decisions being made anywhere in the Republican party, I am sick of the instant call for impeachment when politicians suggest something one side or the other does not like. If you want impeachment, focus on personal conduct and integrity, not on opinions of how to best reduce the budget. Addressing opinions is best done by educated voters who don’t believe campaign promises but look at candidate histories.
As for the State budget, the reality is that we all will be impacted and be expected to do our part.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that $300 in 1970 is the equivalent of $1,640 today. So it was even cheaper back then. http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl
And don’t complain about construction of new buildings. Money for most new buildings comes from private donations. That’s why their named the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center and the Davidson Mathematics and Science Center.
That said, Gibbons is completely wrong on this one. He’s burdening the state for more than he would with some general tax increases.
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Time to End Over-Credentialed Academic Elitist Welfare
Providing higher education for a price is a competitive business…yes, business.
Brick and mortar compete with alternative campus and techonline fulfillment; physical locations for study providing less and less for more and more.
The cost of U of Nevada sustainment is more reflective of the egos of the system’s administration, athletic teams, and faculty and their desire to deck their ivy-halled kingdoms than on the true overhead of providing a college education.
“What better measurement for a people’s prosperity than their pride in and level of education?” – What an egotistical, elitist statement. The financial value of a college education is extremely debatable. More likely, you fools toil now and after graduation, to provide grist to a growing army of government student loan providers and socio-economic enhancement programs. When money is free to buy a particular commodity the price will go up. Call it the “Education Bubble”.
Stop whining, tighten your belt, and lose the entitlement schtick. You’re making the rest of us; those without degrees, the great un-washed who work for a living, nauseous.
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The comments of many of these people seem unfounded. If you think that the construction on the UNR campus is unnecessary perhaps you should take a class and see. Many of the classrooms are in dismal condition and are not even “Smart” class rooms making the ability to teach students effectively inhibited.
Also Jim Nance, the reason that we are in this budget shortfall is because people are not coming to this state to gamble. Therefore, we could raise the room tax rates exponentially and we would see no imporovement. This is like trying to treat a viral infection with anti-biotics. Makes you feel better but does nothing in the end.
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HE WAS NOT LEGALLY ELECTED
IN THE FIRST PLACE
To try to say that this person was legally “elected” in Nevada is absurd. Nevada has the Filthiest video game vote stealing counters in the world.
Even the RGJ Regurgitator “newspaper” verified that fact during the last “election” (click) .
Filthy vote stealers + outlawed Sequoia vote stealing machines is the most treacherous combination in America.
Sam Dehne, The Encyclopedia of Reno gvmt.
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Nevada DOES NOT PAY the lowest tuition in the nation. If they double the tuition in Nevada’s higher education institutions, many students will be forced to dropped out.
People who are for affordable education and believe in education are not elitist. We also work in blue collar jobs, like many Nevadans.
We believe educating our youth will create a better living standard in the future. America needs more educated people to compete in this global world.
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I agree impeachment isn’t the answer but how anyone can defend this ridiculous proposal is beyond logic — college educated or not.
First of fall, one of the critical pieces of our state economic recovery is diversification of business. We cannot continue to rely on gaming and sales taxes to solely fund our budget. We need other businesses — renewable energy, technology, etc — to grow our economy. Attracting these kinds of businesses requires an educated workforce. Going to college isn’t elitist, continuing education of some kind is critical for anyone who wants to do more than deal cards and wait tables.
Second, these are state universities and by definition are financially supported by the state to make education affordable and accessible. There aren’t private universities in Nevada, so if we decimate the state system our kids are going to have to leave Nevada to continue their education. What are the chances they will return after graduation, especially if they can’t get a job in their field.
Finally, people need to understand that building funds come from private donations and special legislative appropriations out of the state capital projects fund. The budget cuts Gibbons proposes are to OPERATING funds. These are two separate piles of money that by law and definition cannot be interchanged as needed. Stopping construction will do nothing to preserve operating money.
I graduated UNR in 1995 and paid about $50 per credit — it was an affordable education. I would argue the current costs are still relatively affordable. This is not a private institution and to balance the university budget on the backs of students would be short-sighted to say the least. Our state already is at the bottom when it comes to both high school and college graduation rates. Do we really want to plummet even lower?
PS: The athletic department argument is false. Those salaries and much of the athletic scholarships provided at UNR are funded through private donations. Same goes for Glick’s salary.
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History lesson: Gibbons makes “no-tax pledge”; Gibbons gets elected; State finances go down the shitter; Gibbons keeps campaign promise; Sagebrush “editorial” (column under the guise of an editorial) calls for his impeachment.
Understand what impeachment is before you broadcast it as the opinion of the Sagebrush as an institution. Misguided, hard-headed, irresponsible? Yes, Gibbons is all of those things, but none is an impeachable offense.
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Right on! Nevada’s stance on education is abysmal – this governor wants only minimum wage-type of labor in this state. What, to fill the visitor-less casinos due to legalized gambling (Indian gaming) prolific in every other state? The man lacks vision. Best to get rid of him before he truly cripples this state that will take decades to recover from.
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According to College Board, Nevada was second lowest in fees and tuition for a four year public college ($2590/year) during the 2005-2006 school year. The national average that year was $5491.
If UNR wants to show it’s serious about the quality of education, it should eliminate “Liberal Arts” degrees since those degrees only show that a student doesn’t know what he or she wants to be when he or she grows up.
The regents should sit down and look at the budget and come up with their own cuts they’re willing to make.
Whining and sucking your thumb because daddy wants to cut your allowance is petty. Come up with a plan other than “IMPEACH!!” and people might support you a little better.
Cheers.
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HEY DOPE SMOKING, MAGGOTT INFESTED HIPPIES….You have the almighty Sambo in the white house so pipe down, and continue to add nothing to this city
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I agree with corinna. In defense to the new buildings, they are part of the movement to attract students to UNR. Most of UNR’s buildings are old and out dated. Speaking as one, students enjoy a clean, well lit, and open environment to pursue their studies. These new additions to UNR’s campus were part of the reason I decided to attend. In addition, UNLV and several other universities nation wide have increased their construction cost as well. UNLV finished a multimillion dollar fitness complex in 2006. Also in the last decade they built a new student library much like the IGT knowledge center, and they are completing another multimillion dollar project for a new student center. Keep in mind, like coinna said, all these construction costs were proposed and passed well before the states’ financial situation took this devastating turn. In short, cutting higher education is not the answer. My father flew along side Gibbon’s in the US Air Force, and he seems to be the same corrupt official as he was back then.
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Tuition rates are rising faster than many might think – I began graduate school at UNR in the Fall of 2007, paying 500$ per 3 credit class. For the Spring 2009 semester, I was charged 700$ per 3 credit class.
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I whole heartedly agree. I find his plan to be more than disgraceful. To pull the foundation out from under our future leaders while at the same time outrageously increasing funding for welfare is sick to say the least. It looks like he wants to be sure out future is dependant on welfare rather than independant thinking and creative protductive leaders. The future will be a very scarey place if he gets this past.
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Please tell us that you bright students don’t understand how to balance your bank account. You well know that you can’t spend more money than you have. The State of Nevada is no different, because its taxpayers (a major source of its money) are completely tapped out, due to loss of jobs, economic instability, and rising prices. These stresses on taxpayers mean they don’t go out to dinner as much, buy as much, travel as much–so restaurants, hotels, retail outlets, and all other businesses and industries suffer and lay off. Businesses–of all varieties–are another major source of State monies. So, inevitably when this hits institutions of higher education, students must also carry their weight–even if it means these institutions must bootstrap its offerings and omit some programs, if necessary. Yes, Dear Students, you too much also carry your load in adjusting to these very challenging conditions. It’s time to stop pity-partying and start facing the real world.
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Amen. Jim Gibbons has been everything but a positive leader for this state. Gibbons wants to destroy the State government and as the governer he is in the perfect position to do so. His recent budget proposal confirms this. That NV voters put someone who intends to destroy government in charge of the government is unbelievable. Next time we get to vote, we should cosider candidates who have the best interests of Nevada’s citizens in mind. By the way, higher education IS in the best interests of Nevadans.
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I am willing to admit that UNR could stand to make some cuts. They are already cutting 22-24 (14%) million. Cutting another 35% of the budget is just crazy. If we use the business analogy, i.e. UNR is run like a business…tell me any business that can withstand near 50% budget cuts and continue to provide quality service or products.
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If any Nevada politician needs to be impeached, it’s ‘Loose Slots’ Harry Reid.
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I vote to impeach! It is plain and simple Gibbons wants to cut cut cut BUT give the judges a 3% raise. The average Nevada Judge makes over $150000 a year. He also failed to mention in his state address that on top of the 6% cut on state employees he also plans to cut 7% towards pupil spending. Which means Parents get your pocket books out because schools won’t be paying for supplies anymore. Wake up Nevada we need to Impreach the crooked Gibbons. If we don’t we are in serious trouble.
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Tuition at Stanford is now approx. $33K per academic year,$11K per quarter. My daughter’s a senior there now. I figure when the dust clears I will have spent $200k for her B.S. And then there’s medical school coming up. And guess what? Stanford is cutting it’s budget by $50 million for the each of the next two years!
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Rogers engaged Gibbons in a political game of chicken, but what Rogers failed to account for was the Gibbons is too stupid to realize he is driving off the cliff.
The governor’s budget proposal is a political move. He proposes to cut UNR’s budget by 47%, then during the negotiations which will happen in the legislature the democrats, regents, and pretty much everyone in higher ed will agree to anything lower, because anything is better than 47%. So he proposes 47% now, and by the end of the legislative session we may have to make due with 20 – 30% cuts. By any normal standard cutting a third of the budget is still pretty huge, but compared to 47%, 30% looks wonderful.
This entire thing is a tactic and this editorial (while I agree with it) is playing into that tactic. The crazies in Nevada (see COMANCHE) who don’t value education at all love this budget. If you watched the State of the State there were many people applauding in that room to lines that by all accounts are extremely radical. That speech was pretty much his reelection announcement, and his campaign platform is going to be as far as I can tell, two-fold, he kept is pledge for “no new taxes” and energy. He gets to keep that slogan even if they have to raise taxes in this session because to do so the Democrats would have to override his veto. At the same time he gets to call democrats in the assembly and senate “tax and spend liberals” while saying “I tried to stop them from raising your taxes.” If the Democrats don’t watch out, Gibbons will turn them into the bad guys very quickly…
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And another thing…if the Sagebrush was serious about Impeachment, they should file the required documents and start the recall petition… Actions speak louder that words…
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Here is an idea that the writer of this article may find absurd. Pay for your own education. The money doesn’t grow on trees it comes out of our pockets. If people actually paid for what they used maybe everything would not be so expensive. Taxes are based on a percentage, so at what point do they equal 100%? I agree with the Governor cut spending. It isn’t yours or the governments money they are spending. it is the peoples.
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Several points to make:
1) To those of you who already have your degrees from the Nevada System of Higher Education, thank you for your opinion, but you have your degrees. These cuts to higher education do not affect the value of your degree nor do they affect your ability to perform your job. If the cuts pass the legislature, many of the best and brightest professors will be lost because the System won’t be able to pay them. That means the quality of OUR education goes down. So before you so unfairly place this burden on us, consider that we are Nevada’s future. Without us getting the same high quality education that other generations have received, Nevada will continue to falter and fall down until we have to pull a California move and ask for help from the federal government.
2) Wash-ashore, the College of Liberal Arts contains some of the most important degrees to obtain some sense of stability in the future, including education and law. So before you go on blasting the COLA, please research some. Your children’s future (if you have any) would be extremely at risk should that be one of the colleges eliminated.
3) The Board of Regents has done a tremendous job at looking at multiple “what if” scenarios. Many of these are looking at different levels of the cuts the System may endure and how to best deal with those. I have attended each Board meeting since August and unless you have as well, I suggest you don’t assume anything because they are doing the best they can with the extremely limited information they have.
4) Lastly, 74 Alum, not to be disrespectful in any way, but the minute the University of Nevada-Reno gets the title of Ivy League school, then I’d be willing to talk about tuition being $33K per year.
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First, Jenn and Concerned Student I thought your comments were well thought out and nicely stated. You both seem to understand that there is always two sides to an issue. I have to say that I agree with you both. The tax cut’s are concerning; and I agree that the school and its future alumni will suffer (not those who have already received an education). However, the article calls for the impeachment of Gov. Gibbons. The reality is that he is doing his job. That’s not to say he is doing what I or others would prefer he do. However, budget cuts are not impeachable offenses. Moreover, the state legislature must approve said cuts. Its not likely that the legislature will consent to extreme cuts (especially in education) such as these. The Governor will have to answer for his policies during the election cycle. Everyone (I’m sure) would like to have unlimited funding for higher education. The simple reality is obvious. Massive budget cuts may not be the answer. However, maybe the University could stand to reduce spending. The answer is likely somewhere in the middle. Any good economic system must find some kind of equilibrium. The Sagebrush has the right to publish any material they see fit; however, they don’t necessarily represent the views of the entire student body. Also, the arguments above about the cost of tuition are interesting. All things are relative; what seems inexpensive to one person could be quite expensive to someone else, and vise versa.
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74 alum Says:
January 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Tuition at Stanford is now approx. $33K per academic year,$11K per quarter. My daughter’s a senior there now. I figure when the dust clears I will have spent $200k for her B.S. And then there’s medical school coming up. And guess what? Stanford is cutting it’s budget by $50 million for the each of the next two years!
So what you’re trying to say is that because Stanford is willing to make budget cuts of $50 million a year for two years, totaling $100 million, that it’s OK to cut UNR’s budget by $427 million?
Take a look at Stanford’s budget book for 2007-2008.
You can find it here.
Stanford had expected expenditures of $3.3 BILLION in 2007-2008. $100 million is only 3% of their total expenditures for one year. $427 million is nearly 50% of UNR’s budget. It’s not even reasonable to compare Gibbon’s proposed budget cut to theirs.
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3% is nothing compared to 47%. It’s simple math.
I’m not saying that impeaching Gibbons is the solution. But the University simply won’t survive a budget cut this severe. Try asking if every local and big business in Nevada is willing to send 47% of it’s entire budget spending to the State and see if those businesses would survive either. No business can survive that kind of proposal, and UNR is a business too.
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Impeachment is not the answer since he has not committed a crime. Recalling him, however, can be done.
The petition would need to be filed with the Secretary of State. Here is the contact info:
Secretary of State
Nevada State Capitol Building
101 North Carson Street, Suite 3
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-684-5708
From the Nevada State Constitution:
Sec. 9. Recall of public officers: Procedure and limitations. Every public officer in the State of Nevada is subject, as herein provided, to recall from office by the registered voters of the state, or of the county, district, or municipality which he represents. For this purpose, not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the number who actually voted in the state or in the county, district, or municipality which he represents, at the election in which he was elected, shall file their petition, in the manner herein provided, demanding his recall by the people. They shall set forth in said petition, in not exceeding two hundred (200) words, the reasons why said recall is demanded. If he shall offer his resignation, it shall be accepted and take effect on the day it is offered, and the vacancy thereby caused shall be filled in the manner provided by law. If he shall not resign within five (5) days after the petition is filed, a special election shall be ordered to be held within thirty (30) days after the issuance of the call therefore, in the state, or county, district, or municipality electing said officer, to determine whether the people will recall said officer. On the ballot at said election shall be printed verbatim as set forth in the recall petition, the reasons for demanding the recall of said officer, and in not more than two hundred (200) words, the officer’s justification of his course in office.
He shall continue to perform the duties of his office until the result of said election shall be finally declared. Other candidates for the office may be nominated to be voted for at said special election. The candidate who shall receive highest number of votes at said special election shall be deemed elected for the remainder of the term, whether it be the person against whom the recall petition was filed, or another. The recall petition shall be filed with the officer with whom the petition for nomination to such office shall be filed, and the same officer shall order the special election when it is required. No such petition shall be circulated or filed against any officer until he has actually held his office six (6) months, save and except that it may be filed against a senator or assemblyman in the legislature at any time after ten (10) days from the beginning of the first session after his election. After one such petition and special election, no further recall petition shall be filed against the same officer during the term for which he was elected, unless such further petitioners shall pay into the public treasury from which the expenses of said special election have been paid, the whole amount paid out of said public treasury as expenses for the preceding special election. Such additional legislation as may aid the operation of this section shall be provided by law.
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UNR should be run and financed as if it was a stand alone business entity. The tuition should be at a level to cover the expenses. It’s clear that UNR has been run with the assumption that it’s contingient liabilities are acceptable because the State will always be able to fund them.
Charge what it costs-more if the market will bear it. If the product is good and the percieved value is there, there shouldn’t be any shortage of paying students.
I must have slept through the part of my Nevada Constitution class that taught the State is obligated to provide higher education to the citizens.
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Genius. Takes a lot of competence to be an anarchist.
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