Legislature gets OK to hire workers for 2011 session

By Cy Ryan

Friday, May 7, 2010 | 4:20 p.m.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Legislature is gearing up for its 2011 session, even though it doesn’t start until next February.

The Legislative Commission on Friday authorized the early hiring of 33 additional temporary staffers with most of them starting in July.

The majority are attorneys and researchers but they range from janitors to police. They will be on staff anywhere from nine to 12 months.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said many of these new employees will need training. Each legislative session brings a need for additional workers early to “get ahead of the curve,” he said.

Of the 33, 14 will be in the legal division and nine will be hired by the research division.

The commission also approved exempting the permanent staff of the Legislature from the furlough requirement during the 120-day session from February through May 2011. During that four-month period, these workers wouldn't be required to take one day off a month without pay.

Malkiewich said his agency has saved $300,000 to be used to offset the no-furlough policy. He said 35 positions have been kept vacant to achieve the savings.

The law requires state workers to take furloughs unless the requirement is waived.