Trailing in the polls by double digits against a candidate that's been keeping a low profile, the Rory Reid campaign hopes the budget document he released Thursday will at least start the debate, putting some life in what has been a very quiet contest.

It may or may not have accomplished that, but at least it has awakened his critics.

Republican rival Brian Sandoval issued a brief comment late Thursday saying it was impossible to take Reid's plan seriously since it "relied on $615 million in revenues which don't exist and over half a billion in cuts which are based on faulty assumptions."

Governor Gibbons' Deputy Chief of Staff Lynn Hettrick echoed those comments, noting Reid is relying on a nearly 25% improvement in the economy in the second year of the biennium.

"We're a gambling state," said Hettrick, "but I don't think anyone wants to bet on that kind of recovery."

While the governor submits a budget, the legislature is required by law to make the final product fit the projections of the state's Economic Forum and he thinks the current estimates are too conservative.

Reid says the state will see $5 billion dollars in energy projects in the coming years and that should give the economy the boost his plan is relying on.

"To say that in two years our economy is going to be 50% worse than it is now overly pessimistic. If I'm wrong we can adjust. I found $2 and a half billion. I can find some more."

Some critics say neither Reid nor Sandoval are being realistic in claiming the projected $3 billion dollar shortfall can be closed by cuts alone.

Reid says after spending the past year listening to Nevadans who are worried about their jobs and their homes and taxes are not on the table.

"I refuse to put an additional burden on the people of the state of Nevada. This is not the time to do that."

Reid, who meets Sandoval in their first debate in Las Vegas on Sunday says he isn't sure if his budget plan will start a debate on the biggest issue facing the next governor, but he dismisses the criticism.

"I don't think the governor or his staff have anything to shout about and Brian doesn't even have a plan, so I feel pretty good with my critics frankly."