Disparity in state benefits, college perks bothers Guinn

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 9:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn said Wednesday state government "is not going to play second fiddle" to the universities and school districts, which are allowed to pay travel expenses and lodging for candidates for top jobs.

"It irritates me," Guinn said, referring to the fact that the universities and community colleges can pay for the travel and lodging of the out-of-state candidates and then pay again to bring back the finalists and their families.

Those interviewed by the state from outside Nevada mostly pay their own way. Guinn cited the case of the late Dan Tom, who was hired as director of the state Department of Business and Industry. Tom had to pay his own way out from the Midwest to interview for the job.

The governor raised the issue at a meeting of the state Board of Examiners, of which he is chairman.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, a board member, noted the universities pay the full retirement premiums for its faculty and staff, but the state employees have to chip in part of their pay to cover the pension system.

"Our people pay 10 percent," toward retirement costs, Guinn said. "We're no different from the universities and the school districts."

State Budget Director Perry Comeaux said state agencies can pay the recruitment expenses, but it has to come out of their budgets.

"We take it out of their hide," he said.

The University and Community College System of Nevada has a discretionary fund it uses to cover the expenses, Comeaux said. He said a central fund could be established in the state Department of Personnel to cover recruitment costs for executive agencies in state government, but it would probably take approval by the Legislature.

Del Papa, recalling a dire shortage of psychiatrists several years ago, said candidates for the job were flown in from Atlanta. She noted, however, that after an earthquake in California, there were plenty of job applicants for state jobs here.

Guinn also touched on per diem paid state workers on travel status. State workers are paid $6.50 for breakfast but that doesn't cover the bill when they are in New York or Washington, D.C., he said.

"We're going to stand up and say we're going to equalize these things," the governor said.

In other action, the Board of Examiners denied the $13,989 claim of James Pouliot of Palmdale, Calif., who said he was injured when he slipped and fell during a rainstorm on the escalator for the pedestrian walkway between the Tropicana hotel-casino and the MGM Grand.

Investigators for the state said the escalator was built to federal and state safety standards with warning signs, good lighting, handrails, nonslip surfaces, sensors for automatic shut down and shut-off switches. Their report said, "There is no evidence that the escalator malfunctioned or that the state was negligent."

The board approved the contract for the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety to add $1.5 million to the contract of Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group to develop programs for motorists to renew their driver's licenses and car registration over the Internet or the telephone.

The company will also set up a system for renewal of vehicle registrations at emission stations in Clark and Washoe counties.

Deloitte & Touche developed the new registration system at the department that resulted in long lines, numerous errors and other problems after it was started in September. The public furor has subsided after changes and corrections were made.

Between the two contracts, Deloitte & Touche will earn $11.2 million from the state agency.