Officers say they'll take pay cuts with governor

Four of Nevada's constitutional officers say they will join the governor in taking the same salary cuts the Legislature is ordering for state workers.

The letter sent to legislative leadership Monday afternoon was signed by Secretary of State Ross Miller, Treasurer Kate Marshall, Controller Kim Wallin and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.

The issue was raised in Senate Finance when it was pointed out that legislation to mandate those cuts couldn't apply to constitutional officers until after the next election.

Nevada's constitution precludes raising or cutting elected officers' pay during their term of office But lawmakers were told those officials could voluntarily take a reduction.

Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said he would like the governor to tell lawmakers he plans to ask a voluntary reduction in his pay matching the 4.6 percent cut planned for state employees. Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said they should ask all constitutional officers the same question.

"Although the bill as written would preclude the salary reductions for constitutional officers from taking place before 2011, to demonstrate our solidarity with the hard working state employees in our offices and throughout the state who daily serve the people of Nevada, we are writing to inform you that we propose to voluntarily reduce our respective salaries commensurate with the starting date state employees will begin seeing salary reductions," the letter states.