Think tank opposes dismissal of lawsuit against state senator

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- A conservative Nevada think tank says the resignation of a state senator from his state job doesn't nullify a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of public workers serving in the Legislature.

The Nevada Policy Research Institute filed a brief in District Court in Carson City on Tuesday, opposing arguments by the lawyer for Democratic Sen. Mo Denis that the suit is moot and should be dismissed.

NPRI's suit argues that holding jobs in both the executive and legislative branches of government violate separation of powers protections.

Denis was a computer technician with the Public Utilities Commission. He resigned that job in December and went to work for a private construction firm in Southern Nevada.

Nevada lawmakers convene for 120 days in odd-numbered years.