Sandoval says, if needed, special session won’t happen right away

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval won’t be calling legislators into an immediate special session if they fail to finish their work within the mandatory 120 days on June 6.

Instead, the governor will call legislators back into special session later in June or just before July 1 when the new state fiscal year begins, according to Dale Erquiaga, the governor’s senior policy adviser.

Erquiaga said Monday that calling the special session just before a possible shutdown of state government would give legislators extra incentive to finish the work now. Unless a budget is approved by July 1, state government could be closed.

“They don’t need to come back at all,” he said. “They can finish by June 6 or even before. It’s up to them. The budget is in their control.”

By waiting until the end of June, some legislators already would have gone back to their private jobs and then be forced to take time off. There also would be the added pressure of approving state agency budgets quickly since a government shutdown would loom in July.

But one legislator said Monday that lawmakers intend to finish all work by the regular session deadline.

“I hope to end by June 6, especially redistricting,” said Assembly Commerce and Labor Chairman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas.

Sandoval hasn’t made it easy for Democrats. On Saturday, he vetoed the Democrat-approved redistricting bill. On Monday, he vetoed the Democrat-approved public school funding bill.

Senate Revenue Chairwoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said Sandoval essentially is playing a game of chicken with legislators instead of working with them on a compromise.

“I don’t understand why the governor wants to risk the state’s ability to function … to realize his goal of destroying higher education, adding more kids to each classroom and sending the message to potential businesses looking to relocate that Nevada does not value education,” she said. “I wish he were more focused on working with the Legislature to find a compromise solution instead of denying the need for more revenue.”

Erquiaga did not give a specific date for when Sandoval would convene a special session if it is needed. Under the constitution, governors set the date and agenda of special legislative sessions.

He added that the administration is researching what to do if a new budget is not in place by July 1. Erquiaga said he assumes some sort of emergency declaration could be announced to keep essential services running.

Voters in 1998 approved a constitutional amendment limiting legislators to 120-day regular sessions every other year. Because the amendment made no provision for daylight savings time, the 2011 session technically must adjourn by 1 a.m. June 7.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.