Changing name could be taxing

Erin Neff

Thursday, May 15, 2003 | 11:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Ways and Means Committee decided Wednesday that what's in a name could be big bucks.

A motion by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, to rename the state Taxation Department to the Revenue Department proved too costly.

Giunchigliani said conservatives, businesses and taxpayer advocates have long recommended changing the department's name in an attempt to change the way it does business.

She argued the department would probably have more success collecting revenue if the stumbling block of the Taxation title were removed.

"It might just be a psychological change, but let's do it and see what happens," Giunchigliani said in making the motion just after the committee approved the department's budget.

Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, said he thought the simple cost of changing the department's stationery and signs is too prohibitive in a year when lawmakers are looking for every dollar to cut from government.

Since several committee members were absent when the motion was taken for a vote, the nays by Goldwater and Republicans Josh Griffin, Lynn Hettrick and John Marvel, were enough to keep the name the same.

"The motion fails," Committee Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, said. "We're saving money."