CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - State Democrats have filed an ethics complaint against Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, saying he abused his power to get thousands of dollars in a property tax break for the 40 acres of land he owns near Lamoille.

A spokesman for the governor says he welcomes an investigation by the state ethics panel, calling it a good opportunity to prove Gibbons did nothing wrong.

State records show the first-term Republican governor lowered his annual property tax liability to $15 from about $5,000 by getting the land designated as agricultural rather than residential.

Travis Brock, executive director of the Nevada Democratic Party, said Gibbons unethically pressured a longtime public servant.

Elko County Assessor Joe Aguirre has said he first objected to the designation.
---
Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-07-20-08 1427EDT