Director’s Report, March 2009

[NOTE: This was sent to DCNR employees last week.]

Good afternoon to everyone in DCNR. I hope you are having a great late winter.

Budget Update

We have now gone through three sets of hearings where we presented our division budgets in detail and fielded a number of questions. One outcome of those hearings has been considerable news coverage in the print and broadcast media. One bright spot has been the stated appreciation of legislators for what we do and how important our mission is to our citizens and visitors.

The active part of the budget process for us is pretty much over. Other than answering the occasional question or two, the budgets are in the hands of the legislators. At this point, it is difficult to predict an outcome, especially in light of the recent projections of continued revenue declines. The process is primarily wait-and-see at this point, and I don’t expect any real decisions for another month or two. I will update you as milestones occur.

Director’s Report: February 2009

[NOTE: This was sent to DCNR employees yesterday afternoon.]

Good afternoon to everyone in DCNR.

The legislature has begun! For many of us the next four months will be a busy time. It is also the time of year my wife complains because she has to help me iron my dress shirts! This promises to be the most interesting session in recent memory. There are a lot of issues on the table from agency budgets to employee pay and retirement benefits, not to mention all of the policy and program issues. I encourage you to keep in touch through the media outlets and blogs for legislative progress on these critical issues.

DCNR Legislation and Employee Participation

The 2009 session of the Nevada Legislature is likely to have a more direct impact on state employees that any in the last five decades. As citizens of Nevada and as state employees you have the right to testify on your own behalf at legislative hearings. I would never suggest denying or stifling your right to participate in the legislative process. I do ask, however, that if you do provide input to the legislature, either in writing or in person, that you do so using your own personal resources and time. This means not using the state computer or supplies and taking leave when testifying or otherwise participating in the process. I also ask that you make it clear that you are providing your own personal input and not representing your program, division or department. This should eliminate any confusion on the part of the legislators and keep us all out of trouble!

Director’s December Update

This is the Director’s update sent to DCNR employees yesterday.

The Governor and legislative leaders have been meeting during the last few weeks and appear to have determined, at least conceptually, a way to address the Fiscal Year 2009 (ends June 30, 2009) budget shortfall. There is no silver bullet here and the short term solution will include a number of financial actions including likely additional budget reductions. The good news is that these cuts may not be as deep as previously feared. The legislature will again meet in special session on December 8 and 9 to ratify these solutions. While this will hopefully be a “stopgap” through next summer, the 2009 regular session (which begins in February 2009) will have to address the Fiscal Year 2010 and 2011 shortfalls which are projected to be well over $1 billion.
 
The division administrators are meeting regularly with Deputy Director Kay Scherer and me on the budget situation and ways to address our portion of the shortfall. As always, the welfare of our most valuable department resource, our employees, are our first priority.

November 2008 Director’s update

[NOTE: This was sent to DCNR employees today.]

Good afternoon to everyone in DCNR.

The following is my November report on activities within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Budget update

As you have undoubtedly seen on television or in the newspapers, state tax revenues continue to decline and are not meeting revised expectations. The Governor and legislative leadership are meeting to try to find solutions. Kay and I have also been meeting with the division administrators on a regular basis in an attempt to address these new shortfalls. To date, we have received no firm direction on further reductions for fiscal year 2009 or the biennial budget of FY 2010 and 2011. We will continue to keep you informed as we receive new information from the Executive Budget Office.