More compensation for members picking up grass-roots support

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 10:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill to help Clark and rural county legislators who must maintain two homes during the session gained unanimous support Monday from former lawmakers, Common Cause and the Nevada Taxpayers Association.

Assembly Bill 170 would give a supplemental housing allowance to legislators who live more than 50 miles from Carson City, Assemblyman Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, who sponsored the bill, told the Assembly Committee on Elections, Procedures and Ethics.

Many lawmakers, he said, must maintain two homes during the session, a hardship on families. His bill, he said, would provide $550 to $590 a month, which is the fair-market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Carson City as measured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Nolan estimated the cost at about $101,000 for a session, with the allowance benefiting 46 lawmakers.

In addition to $130 a day salary during the session, lawmakers now get $80 a day for expenses. Reno residents must pay income tax on their per diem.

Former Las Vegas Assemblyman Rick Bennett told the committee he "maxed out my credit cards" the first session he served and it took him a year to pay off the debt. "My family went without," he said.

The lack of compensation, he said, is a barrier to many people running for the Legislature.

Others supporting the bill are former Assemblymen Larry Spitler of Las Vegas and Brian Sandoval of Reno and former Sen. Stephanie Tyler of Sparks, who has moved to Las Vegas.

Even Common Cause, a watchdog of government, chimed in its support.

"Legislators ought to be adequately compensated," Jim Hulse, the group's representative, said, calling it "a step in the right direction."

Efforts in the past to raise the pay for lawmakers fell short, blocked by many who fear the negative publicity.

Hulse said he hoped the lawmakers would address the $7,800 salary they earn while in session.

"It's not popular, but people need to be paid more. It will take courage to do it," he said.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, who heads the committee, said the housing bill was "simple and honest" and the added money would not become effective until the 2001 Legislature.

It's an "issue of equity," said Carole Vilardo, executive director of the taxpayers association, as she endorsed the legislation. Her organization has asked for a bill to boost the pay of legislators and to give them an allowance between sessions for expenses such as travel, telephones and stationery.

Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, said she had talked with some of her constituents and found "there is not a lot of support" for raising compensation. Opponents tell her that she knew the salary when she ran for the office.

She said she was "living like a college student," renting a room in a private home.

Nolan said his family suffered in his first two sessions and he knew he was not alone. He said there was "favorable support" from the media in 1997 for a pay raise. The bill passed the Assembly but died in the Senate in the closing days of the session.

Lucille Lusk, a lobbyist from Las Vegas who ran unsuccessfully for the Assembly, said the state prides itself in having a citizen legislature. It's not a 12-month job like some other states, but lawmakers should be adequately compensated, she said.