Investigative agency’s cuts attacked

Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, is attacking Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposal to slash the budget of a state law enforcement agency that targets drug trafficking.

Perkins, deputy police chief in Henderson, said the first priority of government is public safety. He said Guinn's proposal to reduce the staffing of the state Division of Investigations from 79 to 40 employees is "not the way to do it."

Guinn, however, has said it was a logical budget cut because the division duplicates the efforts of local law enforcement. In these tight fiscal times the state can't afford that kind of redundancy, he said.

Friday, Philip Brown, chief of the state Division of Investigations, confirmed for the Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee on public safety that the reduction of 39 positions will save $3.2 million over the next two fiscal years.

But under questioning from Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, Brown acknowledged that he was not consulted about the cuts. He said he prepared a budget for 79 officers and civilian employees and was told on Jan. 6 to reduce the total to 40 positions.

Brown also said the governor told him he would consider restoring the positions if there was any additional money available. Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, said he considers restoring the staff a high priority.