Carson City briefs for December 7, 2001

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 9:27 a.m.

Contracts awarded to create plans

The state Department of Human Resources said Thursday it has awarded two contracts for development of strategic health plans for the elderly, disabled and others in rural Nevada.

The Legislature agreed to a request from Gov. Kenny Guinn to allocate $800,000 for the studies and another into the health needs of Nevadans.

State Human Resources Director Mike Willden said a $263,400 contract has been awarded to Rensselaerville Institute of Seattle to hold hearings and then come up with a plan to meet the needs of the elderly and disabled.

LECG LLC of Evanston, Ill., was awarded a $218,323 contract to look at health services in rural Nevada and how to improve them.

A third contract, expected to be awarded by Monday, calls for a consultant to study and recommend rates on providing training, educational and care services for the elderly and handicapped.

The contractors will hold hearings across the state and present their recommendations in time for inclusion in the budget to be presented to the 2003 Legislature.

Guinn said, "Successful strategic plans come from the hearts and minds of the people who will be affected by it and by the leaders who will (implement) the plans."

The state Board of Examiners will meet Dec. 11 to approve the contracts.

Settlement money to help program

More than $54,000 is being given to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program to provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of underprivileged children in Nevada.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Thursday the money comes from a national settlement in an anti-trust case against Toys R Us, Mattel and Little Tykes in 1998.

She said $239,460 in toys has been distributed to children in need over the past four years from the settlement money. This is the final year the money will be available.

Firefighters' union backs governor

The 2,000-member Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada has endorsed Gov. Kenny Guinn for a second term.

Union president Charles Laking said Guinn has shown concern for the working men and women of Nevada, including firefighters.

Other organizations that have announced their backing of Guinn include the state of Nevada Employees Association, Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, the Las Vegas and Reno Chambers of Commerce, the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Carpenters Union.

High court rejects suit

The Nevada Supreme Court has refused to intervene in a District Court suit in Las Vegas in which erotic dancers claim they are entitled to be paid minimum wage in addition to their tips.

Dancers and other entertainers sued, saying they are due back wages for at least two years.

District Judge Nancy Saitta, in a pre-trial decision, ruled that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act allows an employer to pay a reduced minimum wage if the worker earns tips. Nevada law, however, prohibits an employer from crediting tips against the minimum wage.

Attorneys for the dancers asked the Nevada Supreme Court to order Saitta to follow Nevada law. But the court said its intervention is not warranted at this stage with a trial still pending.