Columnist Jeff German: Lawmakers leave us holding bag

Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | 11 a.m.

When the history books are written, the rancorous 2003 Legislature will be remembered for a lot of things -- but not for its vision.

The record $836 million tax increase passed late Monday was obviously a product of weary lawmakers who just wanted to stop fighting each other and go home after the longest and least productive session in state history.

The tax package also was shortsighted.

True, we no longer are facing an immediate economic disaster. Public services and education will be funded. But because lawmakers failed to broaden the tax base in an equitable manner, they merely delayed the disaster for another day.

The revenue generated from the new taxes will only keep the state afloat for two more years and does not address its long-term needs.

When all was said and done, a gross receipts tax on businesses -- the most important recommendation of a special tax task force created by the Legislature two years ago -- fell by the wayside.

Lawmakers missed an important opportunity to focus on the state's economic future.

Who wants to bet that they will be back in Carson City two years from now living out another tax nightmare?

This same scenario will be played over and over again in Carson City until lawmakers stop protecting big business. Lawmakers have to understand that broadening the tax base beyond the deep pockets of the gaming industry is the only way Nevada will be able to obtain long-term financial security.

It is the only way we can fund education the way it is supposed to be funded and provide the social services we are obligated to provide.

If we want to maintain our quality of life, we simply have to pay for it. That means everybody must pay, including the out-of-state financial institutions and other giant corporations, such as Wal-Mart, which reap huge profits in Nevada, but give very little back to the state.

Why is that so hard for lawmakers to figure out?

Nevada is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, yet it refuses to grow up and take responsibility for its growth.

If we want to attract new business, we need a better-educated work force, which means we have to improve our educational system every year. We can't afford to go into every legislative session just hoping to get by with what we have.

We also have to create an atmosphere that will encourage businesses to thrive.

The payroll tax passed by lawmakers only penalizes employers for creating jobs and causes them to think twice about handing out raises. That makes losers out of hard-working men and women.

Mercifully, the 2003 Legislature is over and can't do us any more harm. But it ends on a sour note that leaves us with little optimism about our future.

Sooner or later, lawmakers are going to have to display enough vision to address the real problems facing this state.

Our day of reckoning is coming.