Panel OKs transit tax proposal

Erin Neff

Wednesday, March 12, 2003 | 9:55 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would allow Clark County to conduct hearings and institute its portion of a $2.7 billion transportation proposal already approved by the voters.

Senate Bill 237 carries out the will of the voters last November in Clark County's ballot Question 10.

Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, testifying from Las Vegas, told lawmakers the measure is "extremely important for the future of our community."

Without legislative approval "we are facing a near-term future of total gridlock," he said.

The $2.7 billion measure would pay for a variety of transportation projects statewide over the next 25 years.

"This legislation does not raise taxes, it only authorizes the commissioners to hold hearings," Woodbury said.

Still, Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, said he was concerned that gasoline prices are higher now than when the measure was put before a vote of the people.

He said he did not want to be held responsible for raising the taxes, since the legislative action is simply enabling the Clark and Washoe county commissions to impose the tax.

RTC General Manager Jacob Snow told lawmakers passage of the measure would help Nevada leverage federal matching funds for transportation programs down the road.

"Billions of dollars are at stake in the future," Snow said.

The measure would allow for full construction of the Las Vegas Beltway, an expanded bus system, a light-rail commuter train and other projects.

The projects would be funded by increases in the sales tax, a penny-per-gallon tax on aviation fuel and a gradual increase in residential and business development fees.

Irene Porter, a lobbyist for the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association, supported the measure.