Governor, others to get pay raises

Monday, June 30, 1997 | 11:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill giving pay raises in January 1999 to the state constitutional officers, including a 150 percent boost to the lieutenant governor, was approved by the Senate 14-7.

Assembly Bill 560 now goes to the governor for his signature. The elective officials, including the governor, have not had salary increases since January 1991.

The Assembly narrowly passed the bill 22-19 earlier this month, while the Senate's action came Sunday.

The salary of the governor will go up 30 percent, from $90,000 to $117,000. The attorney general's salary will go up 29 percent, from $85,000 to $110,000. Salaries for the secretary of state, treasurer and controller rise 28 percent, from $62,500 to $80,000.

The bill boosts the pay of the part-time lieutenant governor from $20,000 to $50,000. Additionally, the lieutenant governor receives $7,800 during legislative sessions for presiding as president of the Senate.

But a proposed constitutional amendment is being considered by the lawmakers to end the lieutenant governor's role as Senate president. Other duties of the lieutenant governor include heading the state commissions on Economic Development and Tourism.

All of the current officers would have to be re-elected next year to qualify for the higher pay.

Voting against the pay raises were Sens. Ernie Adler, D-Carson City; Kathy Augustine, R-Las Vegas; Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas; Jon Porter, R-Boulder City; Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas; Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, and Maurice Washington, R-Reno.

Also approved by the Senate was Senate Bill 347, which sets up a procedure for removing the governor if he becomes physically or mentally disabled. If the lieutenant governor believed the governor was incapable of holding office, he would petition the attorney general, secretary of state, controller and treasurer.

If a majority of those four felt the governor should be removed, they would appoint a panel of physicians to make the decision. The lieutenant governor would then move into the top office until the next election.

The vote to approve the bill and send it to the Assembly was 15-6. Titus suggested it should be put in the Nevada Constitution instead of in the law. "This is too drastic a step to do by legislation," she said.

Voting against the bill were Titus, Adler, Bernice Mathews, D-Reno; Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas; Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, and Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas.