It seems like a lot of posters here are missing the point. It was the VOTERS that said they wanted smoke out of their restaurants and bars, not the politicians. The politicians are the ones that overrode the will of the people to allow smoking back in these establishments. And why do smokers rights override mine? So KillerB, if I'm the one sitting in a bar where no one is smoking and you come in smoking a cigar, are you going to put it out because you're the only one smoking? Not very likely.

You guys are right though, if I don't like the smoke I can just leave. That's what I fully intend to do. I hope there are enough restaurants and bars that have learned from this social experiment that will continue to be non-smoking establishments and promote themselves as such. Those are the places I intend to frequent. In talking to just a small number of people in the last couple of days I don't believe I'm alone. It also appears there are many people that intend to boycott the backers of this (IMO) misguided legislation. Yeah, I know, more room for you at the bar. Belly up boys and have a great time, you're a dying breed.

Char/Annie,
Did you read the same thing I just did?

Get your head out of the sand. For too long Nevada has relied on tourists and new residents to pay their way. That ship has sailed. Nobody's coming to Nevada anymore, to visit or to live. We're a third world country who can blame them? If we don't start building infrastructure, if you don't start paying your own way it will only get worse. Show us the 60% cuts you propose. Is it the schools your kids go to? Is it the roads you drive on? Is it your salary or your economic development you want to cut? It's very easy to say cut the fat, but it's always someone elses fat you want to cut.

"Raising taxes will result in more private employeees being laid off."

If you think cutting State salaries won't result in more private employees being laid off, go to Carson City in August/September and see how many businesses have closed for lack of State employee expendable income.

We're all in this together.

Jim, you remind me of my ball obsessed Labrador. For weeks you've been on a rant about State workers getting 8-10% raises. Many bloggers (me included) have tried to show you the errors in your logic and you just don't listen, but your math doesn't even make sense. If an individual were to get a 4.5% step increase and a 4% COLA, that's 8.5%. Period!!! Nobody is getting above 8.5% and the majority of State employees are not even getting that much.

No, but we told you where to go to get real information.

Now there's the bastion of truth, the RJ editorial section!!! Which by the way, made no mention of having seen any budget detail at all.

Call the State's personnel department and ask them how many employees are topped out. And while you're at it, ask about the wonderful longevity pay program.

Jim, Jim, Jim, I've told you before, I'll tell you again. The majority of State employees will get 4%. Not 6%, not 10% it's 4%. Always has been, always will be.

Step (merit) increases for classified State employees are no more than 4.5% per year for 10 steps. Once you've reached step 10 there are no more increases. Ever. The only thing left after that are COLA increases. Most classified employees have been "topped out" for many, many years.

Classified employees (University, or other) do not receive matching rates from the State for their deferred compensation plans.

State employees (University, or other) do not pay into social security. Neither do they receive social security payments when they retire.

Classified University employees do not receive a discount on tuition. They are, however, required to pay premium rates for parking.

Most of what you've described above is true only for University faculty (not classified) positions. Those positions are contract positions and are not covered under this pay bill.

"Most" State employees are getting 4%, those who have not topped out in their pay range get an amount less than 4.5% on their anniversary date, which is totally separate from this cost-of-living increase. Nobody's getting 6%, nobody's getting 10%, nobody's getting over 10%. Has your cost-of-living gone up less than 4% this year? Sheesh, where do you guys get this stuff??

I have two advanced degrees, I have to pay for my continuing education out of my own pocket and still I make 18% less than my counterparts in city and county government and (at least) 24% less than my conterparts in private industry.

You get the government you're willing to pay for.

Hey Heidi, thanks for having my back, so glad I work for you. I've worked for you for YEARS without getting a step increase. I'm a dedicated, hard-working, loyal State employee and continue to keep abreast with the changes in my profession on my own time with my own $$. Can you beat my two (2) advanced degrees?

There's not a single thing in my (very stretched) budget that has incresed by as little as 4% in the past year. How much of a raise did you get this past year?