CARSON CITY -- A conservative think tank filed a lawsuit Wednesday over what it calls a "long-standing violation of the state constitution," public employees serving in the Legislature.

But in its lawsuit, the Nevada Policy Research Institute only challenges the right of state Sen. Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, to serve in the Legislature when his primary employer is the state Public Utilities Commission.

Joseph Becker, lawyer for the Las Vegas-based institute, said during a news conference and in news releases that nine other public employees who serve in the Legislature also should be required to give up their non-legislative jobs.

He seeks an injunction to force Denis, the likely Democratic leader of the Senate in the next legislative session, out of his Public Utilities Commission job.

To force other legislators out of their public jobs, the institute would have to secure similar injunctions or have them leave voluntarily.

Becker said the lawsuit was not politically inspired. However, eight of the 10 legislators he thinks should leave their non-legislative jobs are Democrats, some of them known for supporting liberal causes.

"We aren't even asking for him (Denis) to leave the Legislature," said Becker. "We are questioning his serving as a civil servant."

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