Bigger expense accounts asked

Friday, March 25, 2005 | 9:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- While most lawmakers are talking about putting the cap on taxes, another measure has been introduced in the Senate to fatten legislators' pocketbooks.

Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, Thursday sponsored a bill to take the lid off the $6,800 per session limit for every lawmaker's expense account. The money is used for such things as travel and rent in Carson City.

"What comes out of that allowance is the housing allowance, the furniture rental, car rental and any travel a legislator does back and forth" to his or her home, says Nolan. "When we lost the state (discount airfare) rate, Southwest Airlines roundtrip airfare has more than doubled," he said referring to weekend trips to Las Vegas.

"The increased property values in Carson City have pushed the rents way up," he said.

For instance, he paid $1,000 a month rent two years ago and that rose to $1,200 this session he said. And he's responsible for paying the utilities.

"Right now the guys that have to fly in from Elko and from Southern Nevada within the third month of this session will be coming (by spending their own money) out-of-pocket on travel," he said.

Senate Bill 311, which would become effective as soon as it is passed, would set $7,000 as the amount that a lawmaker could be paid in travel and housing expenses each session. He said the Legislative Commission, at the beginning of the session, could change the amount, depending on such things as the Consumer Price Index and other costs.

"In this way it would be more flexible," said Nolan.

The top expense rate for a special session that is now set at a limit of $1,000 would be pegged at $1,200.

This is the current session's third Senate measure proposing compensation increases for lawmakers. There is a proposed constitutional amendment to pay the lawmakers for every day they are in session.

Currently, the $130 per-day pay for lawmakers ends on the 60th day of the 120-day session. That pay will end April 7 this year.

Senate Joint Resolution 11, approved by the 2003 Legislature, would need to be passed by this Legislature and then ratified by the voters before it could take effect.

The $130 per-day pay for lawmakers has not been changed since 1985.

The proposed constitutional amendment also repeals that provision that lawmakers are to receive $60 for the session for postage, newspapers and some other expenses. Lawmakers said once the $60 is repealed, a future Legislature would set the amount and there are suggestions it go to $1,000 a session.

In addition to the $130 per day for the first 60 days, each lawmaker receives $91 per diem for the full 120 days.

Each lawmaker also is allowed $2,800 for telephone expenses. They receive free letterhead paper and envelopes. Those in leadership and who are chairman of committees receive an added $900 for the session.

In the Constitution, the lieutenant governor who presides over the Senate and the speaker of the Assembly each get an extra $2 per day for the session. That would be eliminated under the proposed constitutional amendment.

Senate Bill 265 was introduced March 22 by Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, and Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, whose senatorial districts covers thousands of square miles in rural Nevada.