Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Supreme Court speeds up appeal over state’s tax grab

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has agreed to speed up handling of an appeal from the Clean Water Coalition in Clark County, which is trying to prevent the state from grabbing $62 million from its treasury.

The court also ordered the opponents to try for a settlement before Judge Ara Shirinian of Las Vegas.

The Legislature faced a large budget shortfall two years ago and decided to take $62 million from the coalition that was created to build a pipeline to pump treated effluent to the Colorado River and to generate power.

The coalition filed suit in 2010 claiming it was an unconstitutional move on the part of the Legislature and the state. District Judge David Baker granted a pre-trial summary judgment last December in favor of the state and the coalition appealed.

The opening brief to the court is due March 14 and the full court will hold oral arguments May 2. Settlement Judge Shirinian is to submit his final report April 18.

The state is in worse financial shape this year than two years ago, so a settlement could be difficult.

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