Editorial: Ominous signs over tax policies

Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 | 3:41 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: Nov. 10, 2002

The numbers tell the story.

Gov. Kenny Guinn has said the state government budget, which already has been pared to the bone by previous cuts to programs, is going to be short between $350 million to $500 million in the next two years. Guinn has pointed out that the only reasonable course is an increase in taxes to balance the budget and pay for needed services, whose increasing costs have been driven largely by the state's burgeoning population growth. The Governor's Task Force on Tax Policy tentatively has recommended a number of tax increases to pay for this growth and also to broaden the tax base.

There are other numbers that the Republican governor will have to contend with and that will make his job difficult during the 2003 Legislature: 15 and 8. Those are the numbers of lawmakers in the 42-member Assembly and 21-member Senate, respectively, who can stop a tax increase. The reason why a minority has such power is that a two-thirds vote is required to pass tax increases. Guinn, a moderate Republican, will have to work hard to deliver votes from his own party, especially in the Assembly. Many in the GOP are emboldened now that there are 19 Republicans in the Assembly, a number that gives them a more comfortable cushion to block tax hikes. Meanwhile Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, says Democrats won't rush to help Guinn until he first "delivers his troops." The Legislature doesn't get under way until February, but these are ominous s igns.

Guinn received 68 percent of the vote and he is going to have to use some of that political capital to launch a new campaign. He should use his bully pulpit to enlist the support of a majority of Nevadans who understand just how critical it is that we raise revenues for essential services. He is also going to have to lean on fellow Republicans so they know how important this is to him. Democrats, for that matter, shouldn't play political games with Guinn over taxes.

Now is the time for politicians to put partisanship aside and do what's right for Nevadans. We can't continue to procrastinate when it comes to creating a quality of life in this state that we can be proud of. If we truly are to become the state we say we want to be -- one that guarantees children a decent education, offers more services for seniors and the underprivileged, and eases traffic gridlock -- it will require some sacrifice.