Editorial: Anti-tax campaign resorts to anti-facts

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 | 8:38 a.m.

The libertarian-leaning group Citizens for a Sound Economy is criticized as a lobbying front for big businesses that don't want to pay taxes or abide by governmental regulations such as those protecting the environment. Critics lambaste the national organization for owing its existence to corporate beneficence but wrapping itself in the "citizens" moniker, as if it's a grassroots organization reflecting the earnest pleas of an oppressed middle class.

In recent days CSE has been earning our criticism too, for inserting itself into the fiscal crises faced by states, including Nevada. The Washington, D.C.-based group, co-chaired by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey, has sent mailers to Nevadans whose state representatives support Gov. Kenny Guinn's plan for increasing state revenue by broadening the tax base.

Our concern is not the mailers themselves -- anyone has a right to send them -- but the misleading information contained within. "Nearly a billion dollars in new taxes is being considered!" the mailer warns, without mentioning the state has gone 12 years with zero tax increases. Then it invokes the image of working families (the bulk of Guinn's tax plan hits big businesses) and says they "don't need new taxes." Following that is a list of seven "new" taxes, implying that they are all in danger of being imposed. Included are sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes and gas taxes -- none of which are included in the various plans being being debated by the Legislature.

We're not sure why this national "citizens" group is so concerned about Nevada's plan to ask large businesses to fairly share in the tax burden, especially when such a plan would provide better services for average citizens and relieve their tax burdens. But we are sure they should do their homework before stuffing people's mailboxes.