CARSON CITY, Nev. - Democrats in the Nevada Legislature are facing criticism for installing a new exercise gym at the legislative building.
The room sits on the third floor. It houses six new pieces of gym equipment, but doesn't show up on a building map. Use of the room is restricted to legislative staff and lawmakers.
Assembly Speaker John Oceguera (Clark County-D) had the equipment, which includes state-of-the-art treadmills and ellipticals, installed earlier this month. The machines include cable television hook-ups and iPod docks. So far, the equipment hasn't received much use.
Oceguera's office could not confirm the total cost, but estimates put it at $30,000 or more. That is nearly a full salary for some state workers. The Assembly slashed approximately 20 jobs in the legislative building and more layoffs are expected.
Republicans, and some Democrats, see the gym as waste, not a job perk.
"There's only one person that makes that decision to spend that amount of money, and I think it should be all of the leadership that comes before the body of the whole," said State Sen. Barbara Cegavske (Clark County-R). "I just have some issues with one individual making those decisions."
Oceguera backed out of a scheduled live interview with the I-Team about the gym, but released a statement that read, "The Legislature has had programs in place to encourage all 606 of the staff and legislators to monitor their health, exercise regularly, and live healthier life styles. This relatively small expenditure is part of that commitment."
