Gibbons won't propose cutting workers' pay raises

Gov. Jim Gibbons says cutting or delaying a 4 percent cost-of-living pay raise for teachers and state workers is not part of his plan to close a projected $250 million deficit in the state budget.

Gibbons is scheduled to unveil the highlights of his budget plan in a speech this evening. The Legislature is slated to meet Friday for a special session to hammer out a deal.

Gibbons and Republican leaders had floated the pay raise cuts as a possible first target.

But many lawmakers opposed the idea and school districts said it would leave them open to lawsuits because the raises were already in teachers' contracts.

Gibbons says his plan will recommend closing the Nevada State Prison in Carson City as part of his budget-balancing plan.