A partisan power play over how the state's stimulus dollars will be managed continues to simmer in Carson City.

Governor Jim Gibbons' office says that despite state legislators' decision to shift responsibility for Nevada's federal stimulus funds to a new position in the state controller's office, the governor must still play a role in monitoring the money.

"This is not just reporting, and shame on us for not being able to explain that to the legislature, said Gibbons' Chief of Staff Robin Reedy.

The governor asked the state's Interim Finance Committee to create a new cabinet level position in his office to oversee the funds and the reporting, but the IFC instead assigned the position to democrat Kim Wallin's office and reduced the roll to an accounting position.

"We are looking at the legal ramifications of the decision, as well as the practical ramifications when it comes to the Nevada tax payer and our constituents," Reedy said. "The money needs to get out there."

But while appearing on political television program Nevada Newsmakers, Wallin accused the governor's office of playing partisan politics.

"I feel like silos have been put up in the other office, in the governor's office," she said. "They have instructed their staff not to work with the controller. If the controller calls, me or my staff and asks for something to not give it to us."

Reedy says she is only trying to eliminate duplicative reporting and ensure the governor's office does its job.

"We asked the department heads to report to the budget office so that they are not duplicating efforts," Reedy said. "I can't afford in this economic downturn...with revenues coming in at lower and lower amounts...to have them duplicate work, we can barley afford the work we are doing."
Both Reedy and Wallin say they want to work together to ensure Nevada's stimulus funds are handled correctly and get into the right hands.