Letter: Tax increase was responsible

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

It is disheartening to see the letters from anti-tax forces against more moderate Republican leaders in our state. Gov. Kenny Guinn and Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, in stepping up to the plate to champion much-needed revenue increases for our state in the 2003 Legislature, demonstrated a sense of statesmanship that these ultra-conservative forces sorely lack.

In 1967 two other Republican leaders, California Gov. Ronald Reagan and Nevada Gov. Paul Laxalt, championed tax increases for their states. "It's the responsible thing to do," Reagan remarked at the time. A bipartisan coalition of Nevada legislators increased the gaming tax by 20 percent and the sales tax by 50 percent.

Anti-tax crusaders are guided by a selfish philosophy of "me first" and not by what's best for the interests of our state. Taxes are the dues we pay for membership in our community. Every time we drive, turn on the tap for water or use any other public service, our tax dollars are at work.

I am grateful that we have enlightened Republican leadership in our state that saw the need for tax increases, and bucked the noisy far-right opposition.

BOB FULKERSON

Editor's note: Bob Fulkerson is the Reno-based state director of PLAN, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.