Psychiatrists atop Neb. payroll

LINCOLN (AP) — A report from the Nebraska state auditor says psychiatrists and college officials are the highest-paid state government employees.

The report says there are about 270 state government employees who make more than $100,000. The release of the report came on the heels of a failed effort by state Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha to reduce the salaries of state employees making more than $100,000. The state faces a $334 million budget gap.

The top-paid employee is Vijay Dewan, who makes nearly $217,000 as psychiatric director at the state psychiatric hospital in Lincoln.

Five other psychiatrists make around $200,000. Chancellor Stan Carpenter of the Nebraska State College System is next on the list, making close to $200,000.