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Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Sun Coverage
It is the word that shall not be spoken in the current political environment — starts with T, rhymes with “max” and is life’s other unavoidable reality, besides death.
Enter the euphemism.
After decades — since at least since 1963, according to one longtime Nevada Capitol observer — the Senate Taxation Committee has a new name, the “Revenue Committee.”
The change shouldn’t be too much of a surprise given the anti-tax fervor this election cycle.
The Democrat running for governor, Rory Reid, tried to convince voters he was more opposed to tax increases than Republican Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval, who also assured voters he won’t support taxes to balance the budget.
Longtime state Senate Republican icon Bill Raggio, R-Reno, lost his leadership position last week. The catalyst may have been his support of Democratic U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, but he had also supported taxes in the past, and said (as had other Democratic and Republican leaders) that the sunset on taxes passed in 2009 would have to be extended to preserve “essential services.”
Perhaps the only surprise is the committee’s name wasn’t changed earlier. Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, chairwoman of the new Senate Revenue Committee, said “words are freighted with meaning.”
“Revenue takes the focus off the negative ‘taxation’ word,” she said. “We need to ensure this state has sufficient revenue to meet the needs of the state. It can come from taxes. It can come in the form of fees, grants and aid from the federal government. Not just taxes.”
Something similar is afoot in the Assembly.
Speaker John Oceguera wouldn’t reveal the name of the lower house panel previously known as the Taxation Committee. All he would say is that it won’t be called “tax” or “revenue.”
Another example of how politicians know that most people don't know a thing about politics and will believe what they are told. They play on people's emotions not common sense. Man these people think we're stupid. Worst part is they write a story on it in the media, we read it and they still think its OK.
We've kicked the can down the road for the last 4 years. Very soon Federal bailout money to state and local governments will end, so we had better figure out: 1. What is Essential for state and local government to do; and 2. How we we are going to get those few Essentials done for much less money.
The realities will soon come home. Either raise taxes or cut funding. I fear education will be the first to arrive on the cutting floor.
here's the current state trend, completely fact based:
1.kids are becomingly increasingly stupid
2.politicians have offered no solution to economy
3.mass migration out of the state
4.Lake Mead water level decreases every second of every day.
So cut services. Everything is going up except my income. If people are leaving this state, we don't need as many teachers. If the elected officials can't get by with current levels of spending, maybe it's time to elect different officials. Increasing revenue (taxing) in any form will only hurt this economy. This state is turning into California, how sad...
Cut funding to 2007 levels and you loose federal matching funds. Bad idea.
Tax brothels-they want it.
Tax big box stores like Wal-Mart their fair share.
Stop stripping the salaries of Nevada's working families and laying them off. Make the rich pay their fair share instead.
It seems that the only solution that Liberals have to fix the economy is to raise taxes.
"Make the rich pay their fair share instead."
How about matching expenditures to revenues? That is what most of us common folk do...
Why are we paying for so many education enhancements for illegal invaders? Can't we DEPORT some of these families and use our tax money on citizens?
Governor-elect Sandoval makes a distinction between taxation (he's against) and fees (he's for), so we may as well rename the committee.
According to federal income data (BEA), there is a load of non-producing wealth in Nevada. In fact, in Douglas County, the non-wage income per capita is higher than the wage income per capita.
I'm all for the capitalistic system, but these individuals still need to be serviced with police, fire, streets, dog catchers, parks, etc., etc. The reality is that they are not paying their fair share and these individuals are more likely to donate to causes in their hometowns and states outside of Nevada.
This tax-hiding, non-producing wealth that is largely exported out of the state needs to be part of Nevada's fiscal solution if we have to make expenditures to service them.
Tax brothels - maybe seek a voluntary contribution from everyone who enjoys carnal pleasure so the the state may also be blissful. Revenue - that is what you need more of - whatever you call it.
Liberals don't mind taxes, as long as they don't have to pay any...
LarryVegas,
If low taxes is all that it takes to get companies to move to Nevada, they why aren't companies in California moving here? It's because we really don't pay taxes in this state and it shows in our educational system. You want people with brains to move here, you have to show them that you can educated their children.
Changing names won't change reality, and I have to wonder how much these cosmetic changes cost taxpayers (new signs, stationary, etc). Seems the crowd in CC either doesn't understand the severity of the current situation or are hoping their ineptitude will go unrecognized.
Sheeple,
Fees = a form of taxes to get revenue from you. Gosh darn, is there any intelligent life in your state?
Gingerlee,
I don't mind paying taxes, but I would like to see the money spent wisely.
I would like to see all units of government that uses taxpayer money be directly responsible to the taxpayers they serve.
There are areas that need more taxpayer funds to provide the proper level of service necessary.
Unfortunately, there are many units of government that waste taxpayer money and are not held accountable for their spending.
I would like to see education taken away from most governmental control, and put back under the control of people who live in the school district.
Most private schools are in good financial condition and do not receive taxpayer money. They also have a much higher level of learning. I believe that a school voucher system would bring up the quality of education in our public schools.
Thanks for asking...