Lawmakers challenge pay increases

Lawmakers are again challenging Gov. Jim Gibbons over proposed salary increases for the governor's staff, calling the raises "bizarre" and "cavalier" since most state workers are in line for pay cuts.

Josh Hicks, the governor's chief of staff, said that overall payroll costs have been cut by 11 percent, and that staffing in the office has been cut, leaving remaining employees "doing more with less." But many of the remaining employees in the governor's office saw significant pay boosts after being promoted.

Assemblyman Marcus Conklin pointed out that two of the positions that were cut are "constituent services" jobs, and asked how the office knew they were doing more.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie said it may be time to revisit the law that allows the governor's office to set their own salaries.