Sun Editorial:
As ye sow …
State government wrestling a budget crisis largely of its own making
Sunday, June 1, 2008 | 2:09 a.m.
In good economic times, Nevada state government takes in enough tax money to provide a minimum of public services. And when the economy is good, neither legislators nor the governor is apt to suggest raising taxes.
In bad economic times, the state government does not take in enough money to continue with even minimum funding of public services. And when the economy is bad, neither legislators nor the governor is apt to suggest raising taxes.
As a result, only twice in the past 17 years have state taxes been raised. And plunging economies, such as the current one, always bring crises to Carson City.
For the government to have a stable flow of income, it should concede that incremental tax increases are necessary. It should also revise its tax policy, which now leans too heavily on gaming and sales taxes.
Those revenue sources rise and fall with our tourist-based economy, which is now reeling because of the housing bust and ever-rising gas prices.
Consequently, state government is reeling, with officials slashing budgets that are strained. And the governor and legislators are talking about making even more cuts, to education and other vital services, because the economic outlook is not promising.
Unfortunately, the governor and the Legislature are not discussing a revision of the state’s tax policy. Even though Nevadans have shown they would rather pitch in a little more toward the state’s costs than see an implosion of critical services, elected officials fear a backlash from the voters.
Among the strategies being discussed instead is siphoning money from Clark County, which emphasizes stable revenue sources, raises taxes when appropriate, spends only money that it has in hand and takes a long-term economic view when crafting its budgets — none of which is done by the state.
Even with its stable revenue, Clark County is challenged in managing growth. The state needs to muster the political will to fix its own house before meddling with anyone else’s.
Discussion: 2 comments so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Police: 3 arrested in officer’s death have gang ties
- Corrections officer with Metro killed in U.S. 95 crash
- System fails to catch contractor’s family tie with county
- Where to watch UFC 106
- Fontainebleau contractors say sales process is flawed
- UNLV and Southern Illinois will be guarded tonight
- SEC sues former gaming exec for alleged insider trading
- Station Casinos, lenders agree to rent decrease at 4 properties
- Findlay guard Joseph scores 33, talks about UNLV
- Bishop Gorman takes Sunset Region title in win over Cimarron
Blogs
The Kats Report
For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Sands China raises $2.5 billion in Hong Kong IPO (1 Comment)
Marquardt v. Sonnen scheduled for UFC 109
Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity
Will a fourth consecutive title by Jimmie Johnson be good or bad for NASCAR? (3 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: And then there were four
Top Chef Episode 12: On keeping it simple
Miech Again
Chilly start for Chace, but Stanback says he'll warm up (2 Comments)
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 22 Sun
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
-
The Four Tops at The Orleans Showroom
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
-
Simon Says Brunch at Simon
Palms Place Hotel & Spa
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati












I have an even better idea. Why doesn't southern Nevada simply become its own state? Then we don't have to be beholden to the buffoons up north.
If Clark County became its own state, there would be no North.....