So, various lawmakers and government employees sneered and jeered when state Treasurer Dan Schwartz had the temerity to suggest the state would not sink into chaos if its general fund budget was increased by merely 4.6 percent instead of the governor’s proposed 12.3 percent.

Sandoval’s Chief of Staff Mike Willden, who has had his snout in the public trough for 40 years, said he was “insulted” by Schwartz’s criticism of the budget. In 2013 Willden was paid nearly $150,000 in salary and benefits as the state director of Health and Human Services.

Senate Majority Leader Michael “Moderate” Roberson said to Schwartz, “I’m in shock and dismay that you would be here today proposing this. I’m embarrassed for you, sir.”

At least he called him sir.

But it is the taxpayers who are being insulted, because almost no one, including Schwartz, is proposing any ways to substantially cut state spending. Schwartz suggested saving a few million by cutting back on industry regulating boards and commissions.

But if you go the bottom line, the governor is not really proposing a 12.3 percent increase, because that is just the general fund. The total state spending increase is actually 16.5 percent — from $20.17 billion to $23.5 billion, with nearly 13 percent of that listed as going to salaries such as that drawn by the insulted Willden. And there may be more money for salaries under some of the other headings.

Willden’s former HHS division grows by 28.5 percent under Gov. Brian Sandoval’s budget, from 36.76 percent of the state’s spending to 40.7 percent or $9.6 billion, probably due to expanded Medicaid under ObamaCare.

Education spending increases by 15.8 percent under the governor’s budget.

Meanwhile, taxpayers are asked to give more to the state while they are getting less and not even keeping up with inflation.

In a press release today, Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation revealed, “Weekly wages in Nevada increased slightly, averaging $840 during the third quarter of 2014, the second highest third quarter reading on record. This compares to $836 a year ago, a gain of just 0.5 percent,” then noting that inflation for all of 2014 was 1.6 percent, meaning workers lost ground. Weekly wages increase

But the release does not explain why an August 2014 press release said Nevada’s weekly wages for the first quarter of 2014 were $867. Always look on the bright side, particularly when the state wants more of those wages.

Perhaps, someone should whisper that those state employee wages could be frozen, or gasp, even trimmed.

Remember what I told you about state workers crying crocodile tears.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good sob story, and trust those folks from the government to look out for you and be frugal with your money, right?