Reaction to Supreme Court tax ruling

Friday, July 11, 2003 | 12:08 p.m.

"Legislators have now had almost six months to decide on a proper level of funding for the budget, and an equal amount of time to decide how to pay for it. How they do this is a legislative decision, but today's order leaves no doubt that legislators must finish their work without further delay." - Gov. Kenny Guinn, who asked the court to intercede.

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"Today, the Nevada State Supreme Court willfully ignored the wishes of more than 70 percent of Nevadans who twice voted in favor of requiring a two-thirds majority to pass a tax increase. The court failed to protect the will of the people of Nevada and has denigrated our state's constitution and political process." - Rep. Jim Gibbons, D-Nev., who led the effort to get the two-thirds requirement.

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"It's unfortunate to have the two-thirds requirement challenged in this way. A small group of radical legislators will regret that their conduct gave rise to the opportunity for the court to consider the matter at all. The Supreme Court justices clearly set forth in their opinion that education is the greater good, and that had to take precedence over the procedural requirements of a two-thirds majority vote. - Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas.

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"We really want to commend the Nevada Supreme Court for standing up for the kids and making them the No. 1 priority. We hope (legislators) immediately get some agreement to pass a budget so we can hire teachers for the upcoming school year. If they pass this by Monday, we'll have a good shot at getting most of the teachers we need." - Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia.

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"It is essential we come to a conclusion, hopefully early next week. ... I don't think anything is guaranteed. We still have to have a majority to do a tax plan and pass the education budget. That is not a given. There is still a reluctance to have a tax plan that has a gross receipts or net profits tax in it." - Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

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"I am stunned to say the least. There may be an initiative drive started on a constitutional amendment that a two-thirds or three-fourths vote is required to pass the budget. We lose. Now we are not part of the compromise. It will be between the Senate Republicans and the Assembly Democrats." - antitax Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas.

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"We were surprised. The court went beyond the relief we requested in our petition ... We've heard the threat that this case will be appealed to a federal court, but it's our opinion that there is no federal question here. It's purely an interpretation of the Nevada Constitution, which is solely within the province of the Nevada Supreme Court. I think a federal court would dismiss any type of appeal." - Attorney General Brian Sandoval, who represented Guinn in court.