Senate, Assembly pass bill to boost state workers’ pay

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Outside of doctors and psychiatrists, some of the highest paid state workers will be the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control and the chief clerk of the Nevada Supreme Court.

One of the bills, most examined by state workers, made its appearance in the Legislature Monday, listing the pay for the unclassified workers -- those in executive positions -- and giving the rest of the employees a 2 percent increase this July and 4 percent in July 2006.

There is also a 10 percent raise for law enforcement, juvenile, corrections and nursing positions.

And it adds a 10th step to the state's longevity ladder where classified employees qualify for up to a 5 percent per year until they topped out at the ninth step.

This salary increase will cost taxpayers $137.9 million over the next two years.

Assembly Bill 577 easily passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said the new salary schedule for state workers "does not even make up for 10 years when they did not receive cost of living increases." She added, "But this is a small step and we do appreciate it," she said.

Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, who is chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, the committee that introduced the bill, said state employees have worked long with out a raised and the "have worked on life support for a very long time."

The bill shows that Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander will be going from $122,433 to a $126,842. And the other two members on the board will receive $117,941, up from $113,843.

Jeannette Bloom, chief clerk of the Nevada Supreme Court, Assistant Attorney General Randy Munn and David Sarnowski, executive director of the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission, will all earn $125,000 starting in July. Sarnowski is already earning $125,000. Bloom and Munn are currently at $110,285.

The pay bill puts the salary the medical program coordinators in mental health at $181,000; senior psychiatrists will earn $157,000 and a senior physician in state service at $138,296.

All of the unclassified or executive would also get a 2 percent cost of living raise on July 1 and another 4 percent in July 2006.

Guinn presented a pay plan to the Legislature to equalize the salaries with the job duties. And he recommended that many of those in the classified service lose their civil service protection. Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said those affected could remain in the classified service but when they leave the job, the position would be unclassified.

The salaries for Guinn's staff are not listed in the bill since the lawmakers allow him to set the pay scale.

For instance, all heads of departments will earn $113,000 plus the 2 and 4 percent.