Guest columnist Russ Fields: Mining not looking for escape from new taxes

Russ Fields

Monday, July 8, 2002 | 4:06 a.m.

By Russ Fields

Russ Fields is president of the Nevada Mining Association.

As part of the Nevada Mining Association's ongoing community outreach efforts, the industry recently began running television commercials that indicate mining has contributed more than $400 million to support Nevada schools over the past decade.

The television spots were designed to communicate that the mining industry is committed to education and that a majority of economic benefit from mining stays in our local communities. This is good news.

However, the commercials spurred a Las Vegas Sun editorial, and an article and a column by Erin Neff suggesting that mining is asking to be exempt from any new taxes. This is an inaccurate implication that must be clarified.

The Nevada mining industry has and will continue to support the state as it comes to a long-term solution to Nevada's revenue needs. As an industry we support a broad-based tax increase that isn't industry specific, but one that seeks to include all sectors of Nevada's economy. Mining included.

Mining is partnering with other industries as part of the Nevada Task Force on Tax Policy to examine possible solutions that will lead to recommendations to the governor and the Legislature on shoring up much needed revenue for critical services such as education and health care.

We, as an industry, are committed to being part of the state's ongoing tax efforts and will continue to work side-by-side with our industry partners to come to a common solution.

Mining is indeed a major industry within the state, however as the state has grown and diversified, mining is now one of many significant industries in Nevada. One difference is that Nevada's mines are predominately located in the rural parts of the state and are playing a vital role in the economies of those communities.

The purpose of the television commercials is to communicate that as long as there is a healthy, viable mining industry in the rural parts of the state, the urban centers, including Clark County and Washoe County, will also benefit from mining's support of statewide education and other vital community services.

Mining has been good for Nevada and will continue to benefit residents through its mineral output, commitment to Nevada's communities and participation and support of the state's new tax initiatives.

Again, the mining industry is not asking to be exempt from new taxes and is committed to being part of the state's long-term revenue solution. We support the work of the Nevada Task Force on Tax Policy and look forward to the recommendations it will ultimately make to the governor and Legislature.

Telling the story of mining in Nevada and how it positively contributes to each of our lives is what the television spots are all about.