Citizen respond at Nevada tax panel session

AP

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002 | 12:01 p.m.

Comments from citizens who attended the final session of an advisory panel that endorsed a plan to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in new Nevada tax revenues. The panel met in Las Vegas:

"No one has been able to show how destroying the economic liberty of the people is somehow going to create a fairer, more just, more equitable and compassionate society with a better quality of life for all." - Knight Allen, 59, of Las Vegas. Allen said he could support a tax on amusements but called the panel's centerpiece gross business receipts tax "repressive, regressive and no good."

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"This sounds like, 'If you are foolish enough to own a house, factory or any other real estate, we will tax it all away from you.'" - Ted Mendalski, 82, of Las Vegas, retired ice company worker, opposing a property tax increase. He called panel members "elitists with a mindset at taxing, not interested in seeking accountability," and suggested an audit to search for wasteful spending.

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"There's absolutely no question the state needs more revenues. Nobody wants more taxes, but you just can't expect to have services and not have any taxes." - Nevada League of Women Voters member Gloria Porter. Porter, of Las Vegas, added the amusement tax proposal might pass, but lawmakers would kill the gross receipts tax.

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"Casinos are taxed lower here than anywhere in the country. They take the money they make here and go build casinos in other parts of the country and the world. But the politicians here won't touch them." - Mike Bandelin, 50, of Las Vegas, former blackjack dealer, arguing for higher casino taxes.

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