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December 6, 2009

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Lawmaker seeks pension hike

Thursday, Jan. 30, 1997 | 5:01 a.m.

Under SB67, Neal - one of the longest-serving senators - would be entitled to about $1,745 a month. Under existing law, he's entitled to $625 a month for his 25 years of service.

The bill would provide pensions only for legislators who serve at least 10 years. It would top out at 30 years, when a legislator would be eligible for a pension of nearly $2,100 a month, or $25,130 a year.

Two years ago, Neal proposed a 139 percent increase. Other lawmakers, fearing the public outrage that forced them to repeal a 300 percent pension hike in 1989, didn't even give that bill a hearing.

Neal said other government officials earn better pensions and it's time that lawmakers dealt with their retirement.

"If people want this, it's out there," he said. "I'm not going to go to the mat on this, but I'd like a hearing to be able to explain the bill. Hopefully, they'll give it some consideration."

But Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, was incredulous.

"I don't think I'd advise any of my members to support that," he said. "It's still too hot a political issue."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said he hadn't ready the bill yet.

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