Lawmakers seek own plans for taxes

Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 | 10:57 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A week before the election, Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, submitted a request for a bill to raise taxes to meet a projected deficit in state government.

Care said today he's not ready to reveal the elements of his plan until he has had a chance to study the bill.

But Care, the state Democratic chairman, said, "I am not bound by the recommendations of the tax task force and no legislator is."

Asked about the proposed gross receipts tax being recommended by the governor's tax task force, Care said he was not married to it.

One of the problems, Care said, is estimating the deficit the state faces. The estimates, he said, have been all over the ballpark.

The task force has predicted a $4.2 billion deficit by 2011 if the state continues its present spending and taxing policies.

Care said he was mindful of voter response this week to tax issues on the ballot questions.

"The public is not interested," in higher taxes, he said.

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, on the same day as Care, also requested a bill that "makes additions and adjustments to revenue sources."

Amodei could not be reached for comment today. He has said previously he opposes a suggested 0.25 percent gross receipts tax on business that would generate about $350 million a year.

Details of the bill draft request are kept confidential until the sponsor discloses them.

Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, said Thursday that none of the 19 GOP members in the house is bound to support what Gov. Kenny Guinn recommends.

Guinn is waiting for the final recommendations of the tax task force. He said he might be favorable to a gross receipts tax, which is opposed by many businesses.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, and Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, both said the governor may encounter a lot of trouble in getting any new taxes.