Guinn: A year of trials and tribulations

Gov. Kenny Guinn said he is a happy man, though it hasn't been the easiest of years.

Speaking to members of the Sertoma Club during lunch Wednesday, the governor described the past year as fraught with trials and promised no more tax increases during his term.

A year ago, doctors found he had prostate cancer and he underwent surgery. Then one of the most contentious Legislative sessions began and he fought his way through court to make way for the state's largest tax increase.

On the last day of the session, he had to have surgery on his knee and return to the floor the same day.

An effort to recall him began, and he forgot his 47th wedding anniversary.

"Someone said, 'How could you possibly be happy?'" Guinn said. "My answer is: My name's not Gray Davis."

The governor addressed the local service club to explain his effort to raise taxes over the next two years, the need for new schools and education funding, elder care, the economy and job creation.

Spending on education will provide the state with needed schools, programs and help the state retain and train a work force that can fill high-tech jobs in the future, Guinn said.

Without skilled workers, companies won't move to Nevada and some won't remain, he said.

Guinn said state employers project 185,000 new jobs to be created in the state in the next 10 years. Sixty-eight percent of those jobs will be related to science, technology and mathematics.

"If you don't have an educated work force, companies won't come here," Guinn said.

The explosion of growth in Clark County has required the county to open 12 new schools this year. Another 41 new schools are needed there in the next three years, he said.

"I can't give you a smaller government if you're going to let 400,000 people come here. I can give you a more efficient government," Guinn said.

Defending his push for the $836 million tax increase over the next two years, Guinn said he is not looking to back any more taxes for the remainder of his term in office.

"I'm not bringing back any more taxes while I'm here," Guinn said.

When asked about the possibility of a state lottery, he said he is having second thoughts about the idea. Guinn said he favors building wealth by building industry in the state instead of more "cash flow" programs associated with gaming.