Neal lobbies for gaming tax increase

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

State Sen. Joe Neal, a long-time critic of the gaming industry, challenged MGM MIRAGE Monday to support his efforts to raise the state's gaming taxes for the first time in 15 years.

But MGM MIRAGE Chairman and Chief Executive Terry Lanni maintained a hard line against Neal's efforts, saying they would badly damage the state's economy.

Neal's comments came during MGM MIRAGE's diversity luncheon. The North Las Vegas Democrat said the "business community" was working on a plan to help the state through its budget crisis through new taxes, and said gaming companies needed to follow as well.

"You (MGM MIRAGE) are the big person on the block right now," Neal said. "We need this to take care of our schoolkids, and to create a better community for all of us. Are you willing to take the lead in doing that?"

Not a chance, if it means raising gaming taxes, Lanni said.

The MGM MIRAGE chief argued "stable" gaming taxes had helped encourage investment in the Las Vegas gaming community over the last decade. Raising taxes would slow the city's economy, Lanni said.

Lanni said the gaming industry was willing to consider new tax proposals, but only those that applied to all businesses.

"(Non-gaming companies) have had a free ride for too long," Lanni said.