Governor Appoints Two New Members

To Nevada Gaming Commission 

Governor Jim Gibbons announced that he would be appointing Joe Brown and John Moran, Jr. to the Nevada Gaming Commission. Each of their respective terms will begin the last week of April, 2009.

“The Nevada Gaming Commission is recognized around the world as the preeminent gaming authority,” Gibbons said, “These two appointees will continue that lofty reputation of integrity and credibility.”

Joe W. Brown is President of the Las Vegas law firm Jones Vargas. Mr. Brown received his law degree from Washington & Lee University. He has been practicing law in Nevada for more than forty years. Mr. Brown has also been involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations over the years, including United Way of Clark County, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the Nevada Development Authority, and he was a co-founder of the Nevada Patriot Fund.

“I am proud that Governor Gibbons has shown the faith and trust to allow me to serve in this important position,” Brown said, “I will work hard to bring honor and openness to the Nevada Gaming Commission.” Mr. Brown is married and has four children.    

John T. Moran, Jr. has been practicing law in Nevada since 1975. He is a 4th generation Nevadan and is a partner in the Moran Law Firm in Las Vegas. Moran is a graduate of UNLV and received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in Los Angeles. Moran’s past experience in public service includes serving as Chairman of the Colorado River Commission and Chairman of the Nevada Wildlife Board.

“The Nevada Gaming Commission is the lead oversight agency of our State’s most vital industry,” Moran said, “I am humbled that Governor Gibbons has chosen me for this position and I will proudly serve the people of Nevada.”

Gibbons also wanted to recognize the two retiring Commission members. Gibbons stated, “I want to extend Nevada’s heartfelt thanks to Arthur Marshall and former Lt. Governor Sue Wagner, they both have served this Commission with honor and dedication”.

The Nevada Gaming Commission has five members, all serving in a part-time capacity. The new members will be compensated $40-thousand per year.

Governor Gibbons Announces Minimum Wage Increase

Governor Jim Gibbons today announced an increase to Nevada’s minimum wages that will take effect this summer. As of July 1st, 2009, the minimum wage for employees who receive qualified health benefits from their employers will increase from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour and the minimum wage for employees who do not receive health benefits will increase from $6.85 per hour to $7.55 per hour.

These increases are the result of the annual adjustment to Nevada’s minimum wage required by the 2006 amendment to the Nevada Constitution.

Future adjustments to the minimum wage will depend upon cumulative increases to the federal minimum wage and the consumer price index.

The governor has designated the office of the Nevada Labor Commissioner as the state agency tasked with the distribution of a bulletin to be made available to all Nevada employers announcing the current increases and any future increases. Starting April 1st, that bulletin will be available on-line through the Labor Commissioner’s website, http://www.laborcommissioner.com or in hard copy form by request to the Labor Commissioner’s office.