Legislature may take over apartments

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000 | 11:36 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- A proposal to buy a 31-unit apartment building to convert into office space for the staff of the Legislature has been recommended by a legislative budget committee.

The $1.7 million total for purchasing and renovating the building was part of a $3.4 million capital improvement plan approved by the budget committee, made up of leaders of the Senate and Assembly. It now goes to the Legislative Commission for approval and then to the 2001 Legislature.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said he will ask the Legislative Commission for permission to enter into a lease-purchase of the apartment complex now so it can't be sold before the Legislature meets to consider the purchase.

Other projects approved include $760,000 for computer upgrading and several improvements to heating and air conditioning for the two buildings the Legislature now occupies.

The committee also recommended approval of a $37.8 million budget request for the counsel bureau for the next two years, a 4.6 percent increase over the present biennium. Malkiewich said it will allow the staff of 225 to be increased to 235.

The bureau includes fiscal analysts, researchers and attorneys who draft bills.

Other budget cleared by the committee included $1.1 million to hire 78 people for the 2001 Legislature and $801,000 for the interim legislative staff .