A Viable Solution for Nevada

With the financial crisis Nevada is experiencing, we are hearing a lot of belly-aching, but very few proposed solutions. We are experiencing real problems.  So, we need real solutions….quick.  Governor Gibbons’ proposed budget has offended nearly every Nevadan and right now every industry is trying to protect its’ own.  But if we do not protect the core necessities — Health Care and Education — we are doomed.

Now I do not consider myself to be a brilliant guy, but I do have a little common sense.  There is no denying that our government is mismanaged in many, many areas.  I often look at a small department, that I know little or nothing about, and can immediately recognize efficiencies that can be put in place to save millions and millions of dollars. 

Yes - most of those efficiencies replace human capital with technology.  And right now, the last thing we need are more layoffs.  But the fact of the matter is …. there are thousands of public jobs in Nevada that remain vacant….more specifically in critical need areas such as health care and education… the same areas our Governor is proposing that we cut. 

So, why can’t we simply retrain?

Governor Gibbons - here is a solution:

1. Create a series of consulting teams of Nevada’s top industry leaders from the private sector to conduct a thorough audit of all governmental departments in search of areas where efficiencies can be created.  (A ‘true’ public-private partnership).  Finance/Accounting professionals evaluate those areas.  Technology professionals evaluate IT infrastructure.  Engineering professionals those associated areas, etc.  I’m not talking about more bureaucrats, I’m talking about the best and the brightest from the private sector.  Nevada has a lot of smart people living here and many are willing to help at little or no charge.   You want transparency - this is how you get it.
2. Present all of the findings with the consultants recommendations to the Legislature, including proposed RIFs (Reduction in Force) and technological implementations to increase efficiencies.  These would be real solutions with real plans that could be implemented immediately. 
3. Those public employees effected by proposed RIFs are tested for current skills and capabilities and presented a few options:
   a.  Early buy-out, retirement offering. Many of these folks are ready to retire anyway.  If they wish to sharpen their skills to be applied in a critical need area, offer them a partially paid retraining opportunity as well.
   b.  For those not ready for retirement - a full retraining opportunity restricted to the top 10 critical need areas.  This would give them the skills to earn an equivalent salary, keep their benefits and have the opportunity to become a nurse, teacher, police officer, engineer, IT professional, etc.
   c.  If the RIF involves a skilled professional in one state agency, give them the opportunity to transfer to an open job requisition in another agency.  Skilled professionals are always in demand.
   d.  If they do not choose any of the above, they can join the unemployed ranks.  We will have exhausted every opportunity to provide them the necessary skills to be productive in today’s society.  They will eventually have to obtain new skills.
4. All of these re-training opportunities are offered as part of the severance (which it really is not) package, including the cost of schooling, cost of living adjustment, etc.  Bridge the gap during the transition. Make it easy for the displaced workers.  And provide them with a new skill set that can apply in the private sector as well. 

This solution would:

• Create true transparency in government 
• Right-size government and optimize efficiencies
• Leverage available technologies
• Retrain current government employees for jobs in critical need areas
• Solve critical workforce shortages
• Keep Nevada educators educating
• Produce additional income streams into higher education
• Demonstrate Nevada’s commitment to education, health care and public service
• Improve the long-term health and well being of Nevada
• Correct the projected budget shortfalls
• Get us out of this mess!!

There are probably some holes in the above plan, but at least it is a starting point.  And more important, it is a proposed solution….not just a complaint.  Until we begin to discuss solutions, we will never get closer to resolving the problem.

Thanks for listening/reading my babble.