Pay hike pushed

Wednesday, May 5, 1999 | 10:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Legislators deserve a pay raise and should vote themselves one, a parade of lobbyists said Tuesday.

Appearing before the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, the lobbyists urged legislators to pass a bill raising their salaries from $130 a day to $250 a day starting in 2001.

Carole Vilardo, executive director of the Nevada Taxpayer Association who led the contingent, said lawmakers who voted to increase their pay this time would still have to run for re-election before they received the 92 percent increase.

Vilardo said the pay hike is the idea of trade associations, not legislators, many of whom fear that backing a pay increase would be political suicide.

They appeared before the committee to support Assembly Bill 600, which would raise the pay and give senators and assemblymen up to $100 a month when the Legislature is not in session to meet expenses. The bill includes an annual cost of living adjustment, but there would not be any increase if state workers did not get an increase in salary.

Efforts have been made in past sessions to increase the pay of lawmakers, last raised in 1987, but they have usually fallen short in the Senate.

The committee did not take any action but the only objection came from Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, who opposed the pay raise two years ago. She said she didn't disagree with the need but she did not think legislators should be voting on their own pay levels.

Cegavske also said this would "send the wrong message" if the Legislature agreed to boost its pay when there is no money this session for increases for state workers.

Proponents suggested the bill be amended to allow a legislator to refuse to accept the increased pay if he or she didn't want it.

Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, a strong supporter of a pay increase, said the bill could be amended to give a lawmaker the "right to opt out and not accept the pay raise."

He said his net pay check is $24 a day. He said it was a "joke" asking people to come from Southern Nevada to serve at this rate of pay.

Peter Krueger, who represents petroleum interests, rental associations and roofers, blamed the media for blocking past attempts to boost pay. "If the media printed it fairly," Krueger said, the public would realize lawmakers were justified in getting the increase.

Lining up in support of the bill were the Nevada Motor Transport Association, general contractors, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Manufacturers Association, the Nevada Retail Association, the Nevada Faculty Alliance from the University and Community College System of Nevada and others.

Committee Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, who has led the charge in the past for a pay increase, told the lobbyists, "We tried this side and it hasn't worked. Maybe your side will get it to work."

He said they may "take a lot of heat" for their stand from other lawmakers who don't agree.

He suggested some of their bills might die because of their advocacy.

Proponents said there are fewer qualified candidates willing to run for office and one reason is the low pay. Legislators earn $130 a day for the first 60 days of the session and then the pay is cut off.

There have been several interim study committees that have recommended pay increases. But the recommendations never made it through the Legislature.

Vilardo quoted from a 1989 Blue Ribbon Commission, chaired by Kenny Guinn who is now governor. It said the lawmakers were not adequately compensated.

It suggested $200 a day salary and a $350 a month compensation when the lawmakers were out of session. Tied to the recommendation was a limit on the session. Vilardo noted the Legislature has now been limited to 120 days.

Daryl Capurro of the Motor Transport Association said a $7,800 salary for two years was unheard of.

"We're close to the bottom of what is being paid in other states," he added."I don't know of any profession or job where an employee would sit still for a pay raise every 15 years," Capurro said.

The committee will vote later on AB600 which would cost the state an estimated $406,800 in 2001.