Sales tax increase opposed

Larry Henry

Thursday, May 8, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Two Las Vegas assemblymen say they'll join a tiny band of renegades opposing a sales tax increase in Clark County.

Assemblymen Morse Arberry and Wendell Williams, both D-North Las Vegas, said Wednesday that a sales tax hits poor people hardest and shouldn't be raised without a public vote.

The Assembly could vote as early as Monday on Assembly Bill 291, allowing the Clark County Commission to raise sales taxes a quarter-cent for a water and sewer system.

An amendment authorizing Nevada's 16 other counties to raise sales taxes could come up for a vote Friday, said Majority Floor Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.

Williams and Arberry, who represent older neighborhoods, said Las Vegans at the bottom of the economic rung could suffer.

"Poor people and people on tight budgets, most of their money goes toward necessities," Williams said.

Arberry said he doesn't buy an argument from water officials that the burden will be spread out, because tourists pay sales taxes, too.

"They feel the tourist is going to pay," Arberry said. "The tourist doesn't buy a refrigerator. They're not going to buy a washer and dryer."

Under the increase, a $1,000 purchase of appliances would cost an extra $2.50.

University of Nevada, Reno, economist Tom Cargill agreed that poor people suffer most when sales taxes go up, even though groceries and drugs aren't taxed. He also said sales taxes fluctuate too much to depend on for growth-related needs.

"As a taxpayer, I'm not pleased," he said. "As an economist, I don't think it's a good idea to allow politicians to make these decisions without going to the public."

Perkins said he thinks 60 percent of Clark County voters would approve the sales tax if they understood that water rates would go up even higher without it.

Perkins expects nearly all of the 42-member Assembly to support legislation authorizing the sales tax increase.

One legislator opposing the tax, Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, will circulate a chart on the Assembly floor today showing that the public will pay a larger share of the water project than water officials have reported.

Another tax opponent, Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, said she might try to add an amendment on the floor that could put the sales tax to a public vote.