County GOP urges tax opposition

Erin Neff

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 | 10:02 a.m.

The Clark County Republican Party has some advice for GOP lawmakers considering backing their governor on $1 billion in tax increases: Don't do it.

The local party's Central Committee, arguably the most conservative arm of the state GOP, voted Wednesday night to urge Republicans in the Legislature to oppose any major increases of existing taxes or imposition of new taxes.

GOP activist Dan Burdish authored the resolution for consideration at the meeting in which the party elected unsuccessful County Commission candidate Tim Cory its new chairman.

The resolution states that since the Republican Party is "traditionally the party of limited taxation and limited government," the central committee opposes increased taxes or expansion of government.

Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn's spokeswoman said this morning that the governor had read the central committee's resolution and had no comment.

On Monday, Guinn asked lawmakers to approve nearly $1 billion in new taxes over the next two years to cover a $706 million deficit.

The central committee's resolution passed with a voice vote. Out of about 200 people in attendance, only one voted against the resolution, officials said.