Assembly delaying decision on prison closures

CARSON CITY -- The state Assembly won't make a decision anytime soon on whether close Casa Grande correctional facility in Las Vegas and Nevada State Prison in Carson City.

When asked Thursday for a show of hands on whether the Assembly should kick the proposal to the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee for more discussion, only two members opposed the idea: Ty Cobb, R-Reno, and Richard McArthur, R-Las Vegas.

Republicans are worried that so far in the special session, legislators are adding to the shortfall, not reducing it. "We keep adding things back, we keep taking things off the table. The government needs to make some tough choices," Cobb said.

The Legislature is in special session seeking to close a budget shortfall of almost $900 million. The show of hands is significant because it gives legislative leaders an indication what bills members would support. The Assembly did indicate it would move forward and eliminate pay incentives for new-hires for prison workers who work in remote areas.

Closing Casa Grande would have saved $1.9 million, according to Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposal. Lawmakers were reluctant to take away the pay incentive for prison workers who have already been hired. "If you work in a remote location, you get a remote pay differential," said Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas. "They made their decisions based on what we told them we would do."

Others said they didn't get enough information to make a decision to close facilities, so they wanted the Finance Committee to seek more answers. "We haven't received a good package of information," said Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks. "There are so many unknowns and we keep asking for the information."

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.