Del Papa told to expect budget cuts

Monday, Feb. 8, 1999 | 12:24 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee told Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa today to be prepared for reductions in her budget, which has grown by 71 percent since 1990.

Chairman Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said the staff in the attorney general's office has increased more than other state agencies. "I know you have been given new duties but even taking that into account, there has been a big increase," he said.

For instance, Raggio said the attorney general's office has computer technicians for every 70 units. But the state standard is one for every 300 computers.

Del Papa replied that her budget was "bare bones" and the demands come from an increasing state population and more complex litigation.

"We can't stop people from suing the state," she said. "We have to respond."

Raggio said however this was a "hold the line" budget, and the finance committee would take a hard look at new positions and reclassifications of jobs in order to give salary increases. He suggested Del Papa put her priorities on which new positions she needs, rather than having the legislative budget committees make that decision.

Under Gov. Kenny Guinn's suggested budget, the spending program for the attorney general's office grows 24.5 percent, from $14.3 million to $17.8 million next fiscal year, then decreases slightly the next year. Guinn's budget suggests 15.9 new positions.

Del Papa told the committee her office reviewed its budget after the governor reduced the spending program. "We got less than we requested," she said. She had asked for $19 million next fiscal year and $18.5 million the following year.

"We were asked to sacrifice and we've stepped up to the plate," Del Papa said.

Given the tight budget, Del Papa said she wants the flexibility of moving money among her 12 divisions. And she wants the flexibility that Guinn is seeking to pay top aides more within the limits of the budget.

Salaries for staff are competitive for hiring, Del Papa said. But the state pay scale starts to fall behind after about six years, and the state loses its veterans. That means there is a lack of experience at a time that the cases are becoming more complex, she said.

"We have limited revenue," Raggio told her. "Clark County pays high for attorneys. We can't match them without doing a disservice to the rest of the budget."

Del Papa argued that the legal staff at the University and Community College System of Nevada are former employees of her office. And they are better paid. She suggested the legal questions facing the system are not as complex as those of the state.

There's a need for more deputies in the state Taxation Department, she said. For each deputy hired, she guaranteed $2 million in additional revenue would be gained for the state. Del Papa said extra lawyers are needed in the state Financial Institutions Division, given the scandal of the Harley Harmon mortgage company in Clark County.

She asked for 190 new computers but the governor recommended 100. One of her frustrations, she said is the lack of a tracking system for cases. One was installed and "the whole system crashed." And she emphasized she needed more help in combating high-tech crime.

"The average bank robbery is $2,500 while the average high-tech crime is $50,000," she said.

Her budget will be further reviewed by a subcommittee of the finance committee.