Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

GOP pollster: Heller-Berkley a tossup, mining tax would be slam dunk, gaming tax iffy proposition

Rep. Shelley Berkley, who trailed Sen. Dean Heller by six points last September, is now within the margin of error, according to a poll taken for the Retail Association of Nevada by GOP pollster Glen Bolger.

The survey also illuminates why the mining industry is petrified of voters ever actually getting a chance to decide tax policy on the industry while the gaming industry may find the results heartwarming -- and favorable to its bottom line.

Here are the numbers from a survey of 500 likely voters Fb. 21-23 -- margin of error is 4.4 percent:

Heller, 47; Berkley, 44. Was 48-42 in September.

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Mining tax:

As you may know, there is a proposal to increase the state mining tax. I would like to read you

two statements that people are saying about the proposal. After I read each statement, please tell

me which one comes closest to your own opinion.

Some people say increasing the state mining tax is a good idea because with the increase in the

price of gold and other minerals, the mining industry is undergoing a boom time and should pay a

higher tax rate.

... while...

Other people say an increase in the mining tax is a bad idea because at some point the price of

gold and other minerals will drop back down to normal levels and a higher tax rate will hurt the

industry and cost jobs.

Which statement comes closest to your own opinion?

58% GOOD IDEA

38% BAD IDEA

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Gaming tax:

Recently, a proposal was made to increase Nevada’s gaming tax for casinos. I would like to read

you two statements that people are saying about the plan. After I read each statement, please tell

me which one comes closest to your own opinion.

Some people say increasing Nevada’s gaming tax is a good idea because the state needs

additional tax revenues to fund important programs like education and health care. The casino

industry is improving and needs to help the rest of the state.

... while...

Other people say increasing Nevada’s gaming tax is a bad idea because the casino industry was

hit hard during the recession and had to cut twenty-two thousand eight-hundred jobs. A tax

increase now will slow down the casino industry’s recovery and cause an additional job loss of

seven thousand five hundred workers.

Which statement comes closest to your own opinion?

49% GOOD IDEA

48% BAD IDEA

More poll results expected to be released tomorrow.

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