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February 12, 2012

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SUN EDITORIAL:

A taxing debate?

Candidates should be talking specifically about moving the state forward

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Former Gov. Bob Miller led the state through the recession of the 1990s and, looking at the budget situation today and a shortfall that could reach $3 billion, he says there is no way to balance the state budget without new revenues — that is, tax increases.

“That’s something nobody wants to hear but it’s a reality,” the Democrat said Monday on the television program “Face to Face With Jon Ralston.”

Certainly it’s true that in a campaign year no one wants to talk about raising taxes. In the debate Sunday between the major party candidates for governor, Democrat Rory Reid and Republican Brian Sandoval both discussed balancing the budget without raising taxes and without harming education.

Miller said the candidates would “like the voters to believe they have a magic formula” to balance the budget without new taxes but said, “You can’t make the numbers add up any other way.”

Miller said that he and two other former governors — Republican Kenny Guinn and Democrat Richard Bryan — expressed that view to a group of Reno business executives a few months ago before Guinn’s death. Miller said they were trying to encourage the business leaders to support a move to boost state revenues. He noted that Republican and Democratic leaders in Carson City have said the state needs new revenue.

But their acknowledgment of the problem will do little to ease the upcoming debate over the state budget and taxes, particularly in this economy. As former Gov. Bob List told Ralston, “The reality is that people don’t want to pay it, they don’t want to pay more taxes and you’re not going to get elected if you talk about it.”

Sadly, the debate over the state budget and taxes is not new. It has been exhausted over the years, and the issues are well-known. Several studies have clearly showed that the state’s tax system is broken and doesn’t collect enough revenue to provide a decent level of services. But those facts have done little to sway anyone.

For years there has been a fierce resistance against increasing taxes in Nevada, and it is polarizing. Some conservative groups have made taxes a litmus test for candidates, urging them to sign a “no new taxes” pledge. Some people on the right wing have vilified government as bloated and out of control, even though the fact is that government in Nevada is among the smallest in the nation. The state has struggled to provide services over the past few decades.

Instead of reviving pledges and arguing over taxes, the state and the candidates should move away from the tax debate and instead focus on government services. What has been lost when people raise the specter of taxes is that they pay for things such as police and education.

The candidates should discuss, with specifics, what they think are acceptable levels of services. Should the state spend less money on schools? Should it provide fewer social services and health programs? How about police? And what are the consequences of these ideas? What happens if the state continues to cut its budget?

For too long, state leaders have avoided this type of discussion, but the budget crisis is too great now to avoid it. Otherwise, the same old problems will continue to plague Nevada.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

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  1. By JanK
    Sept. 1, 2010
    3:30 a.m.
    Flag

    Balance the state budget by refusing federal mandates. How about Nuiffication & Interposition ala Jefferson & Madison, 1798.

  2. By mred
    Sept. 1, 2010
    10:11 a.m.
    Flag

    We need an income tax and "talk radio syndication local content tax" on radio stations. Unless the station has 50% local programing, they should pay a 50% tax.

  3. By boftx
    Sept. 1, 2010
    11:29 a.m.
    Flag

    As much as I oppose unneeded government spending and taxes, I agree that the mining tax needs to be examined.

    If there have to be taxes, then they should be fair for all, without special treatment for some groups.

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Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.

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