Panel OKs hike in salary

Kirsten Searer

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | 9:51 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- An Assembly panel was quick to approve two measures Tuesday that will boost legislative pay and travel reimbursements.

Legislators argued that qualified people often turn down the opportunity to run for office because they simply can't afford to serve.

"We have a citizen legislature here in Nevada," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno. "People come from all walks in life. I think we should retain that."

Legislators make $130 a day, as they have since 1985.

But the state Constitution says legislators can be paid for just 60 days of work per session. Senate Joint Resolution 11 would amend the state constitution to allow them to be paid for all 120 days of the session.

The measure already was cleared in 2003 and would go before voters for final approval in 2006. It would increase legislative salary for the session from $7,800 to $15,600.

But Raggio scoffed at some press accounts that said legislators are working to double their salary.

"I think we're entitled like any working person to be paid each day that we work," he said. "If you put in a day's work, you get a day's pay."

Legislators would need to earn $230 a day now to get the same salary adjusted for inflation, according to www.inflationdata.com http://www.inflationdata.com / .

The resolution also says that legislators can get reasonable reimbursements for items such as stationary and newspapers. They are now limited to $60 per session for the items.

The resolution now goes to the Assembly floor.

The other bill approved Tuesday would increase the amount legislators can receive in travel reimbursements.

Senate Bill 311 would increase the amount of travel allowance legislators now receive from $6,800 to at least $7,000 per session.

The Legislative Commission would set a maximum amount legislators could receive each session based on the Legislative Counsel Bureau's recommendation.

The bill would cost an estimated $140,000 per session if the 48 legislators who qualify for travel and housing funds take 18 round trips home, need $1,800 in automobile mileage, $1,000 for furniture rental and $2,464 in housing rentals.

The bill would immediately increase money for travel expenses this session. It now goes to the Assembly floor.