‘Downward spiral’

The Clark County Commission on Tuesday voted 5-2 for a measure that phases out longevity pay for constables and justices of the peace.

Tom Collins and Lawrence Weekly, giving a one-finger salute to their taxpaying constituents, voted no.

The plan will save a modest $350,000 over the next decade, but money isn't the point. Rather, these types of paycheck-padding mechanisms -- virtually unheard of in the private sector -- symbolize the growing compensation gap between those who work in government and those who have to pay their salaries.

Justices of the peace already make up to $184,000 a year. Why should taxpayers have to toss in a generous bonus because somebody has managed to avoid getting fired year after year?

Mr. Collins defended himself by saying he didn't want to contribute to the "downward spiral" of public employee wages, which raises questions as to which alternative universe the affable former assemblyman now calls home.

The fact that Mr. Weekly and Mr. Collins couldn't muster support for this tiny show of fiscal restraint is nothing short of incredible and an embarrassment to their resumes.