Nevada Territory

Democrats propose smaller pay cut for state, higher education employees

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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

The state capitol is seen on the third day of the 2011 legislative session Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, in Carson City.

Tue, May 10, 2011 (12:56 p.m.)

Sun Coverage

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Brian Sandoval

Democratic lawmakers countered Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed 5 percent pay cut for state and higher education workers with what would be a 4.8 percent cut by requiring they take six furlough days a year and a 2.5 percent cut to salaries.

The move would cost the state between $7.5 million and $10 million over the next two years compared to Sandoval's proposal.

Republicans stood by the governor, voting instead for a motion supporting Sandoval's proposal to replace the once-a-month furlough passed in 2009, equal to a 4.6 percent pay cut, with a straight 5 percent reduction.

Last week, Democrats voted against Sandoval's proposal to reduce funding to school district employees by 5 percent.

As they go through the governor's budget plan, Democrats are leaving financial holes by restoring funding to schools, higher education and public employee salaries. To fill them, they have proposed $1.2 billion in higher taxes and the extension of taxes passed in 2009.

Assemblyman Pat Hickey, R-Reno, asked for more time to consider the compromise proposed today by Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas.

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Steven Horsford

An obviously frustrated Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford accused Republicans of hiding behind the governor's recommended budget. "The process is about cooperation and compromise. All I hear is gov rec, gov rec, gov rec, as if that’s a solution," Horsford said.

The joint Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees hearing started with public employees urging lawmakers not to approve the governor's recommendation.

Jim Richardson, a UNR professor and lobbyist for the Nevada Faculty Alliance, said Nevada is losing professors to other states. If lawmakers can't eliminate the pay cut, they should save money through furloughs, he said. "Do something to send the message to faculty that they’re valued, and you want them to stay,” he said.

Kevin Ranft, a lobbyist with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents Nevada public employees, criticized the Democrats' plan: "This is not a good compromise. Employees will continue to suffer."

Danny Thompson, executive secretary/treasurer of the AFL-CIO, said asking state workers to continue sacrificing their salaries amounts to a tax increase.

"We’re in a race to the bottom," he said. "The only people that can change that is you."

He criticized Sandoval's opposition to tax increases. "We're not even having a discussion. I'm not talking about a hearing. I'm talking about an honest debate. It's what this place is about - a debate," Thompson said.

He warned that there would be an "organic uprising" and voters would go to the ballot if the Legislature does not raise taxes. "I'm not threatening you. I'm just telling you. If you don’t solve the problem, people will solve the problem," he said.

Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, said the 5 percent reduction proposed by Sandoval is reasonable based on what private sector employees are confronting because of the economy. Employees are already taking 4.6 percent pay cuts through furloughs.

Horsford questioned why Republicans were OK with extending furloughs passed in 2009, but not extending the tax increases the Legislature passed that year.

Sun reporter Cy Ryan contributed to this report.

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