Guinn calls for extended special session

Erin Neff

Friday, June 6, 2003 | 5:23 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn extended the special session of the Legislature Friday afternoon to give lawmakers two additional days to complete their work.

Guinn gave lawmakers until 5 p.m. Sunday to solve the state's budget crisis. The Legislature has been stalled in discussions over proposals to raise $860 million in new taxes since opening the special session on Tuesday.

"In working closely with the leadership of the Legislature and responding to their respect, I am issuing this proclamation based on my optimism that there is movement on a tax bill in both the Senate and Assembly," Guinn said in a press release accompanying his new proclamation extending the session. "I believe the progress that has been made is a sign that funding education and balancing the budget is a priority of the majority of our legislators."

Guinn's original proclamation calling for the 19th special session in state history required a 5 p.m. Friday deadline for legislators to pass a tax bill and several education measures.

The extension was needed, in part, because the Legislature had not drafted tax bills in time for lawmakers to study them and vote before the deadline.

"It's purely a drafting issue in this house," Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said.

A bill introduced Friday morning by the Assembly Select Committee on Education Funding and State Revenue changed several taxes to the point where bill drafting needed extra time to find the statutes and amend them.

Although the Legislature on Friday did approve the No Child Left Behind bill, which includes updated provisions regarding the math proficiency test, lawmakers were unable to put final approval on the education budget or the class size reduction bill.

Because of the cost, lawmakers cannot pass the K-12 school funding bill or the class-sized reduction bill without passing the proposed tax plan to add $860 million in new revenue.

The Assembly plans to meet Saturday at noon, and possibly take a vote on taxes.

"My preference would be to take a vote and let people know where lawmakers stand," Perkins said.

The bill being drafted includes a 5 percent net profit tax; an increase from $100 to $190 in the business activity tax; a 10 percent live entertainment tax; a state real estate transfer tax and increased levies on cigarettes, liquor, slot routes, secretary of state fees and on gaming.

Senate leaders were not immediately available for comment to discuss when the Senate would meet again.

Erin Neff covers politics for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-4062, (775) 687-4037, or by e-mail at erin@lasvegassun.com