Wednesday, March 12, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and Councilman Matthew Callister were to announce a plan today to place education at the top of the infrastructure priority list.
The two say the new taxes proposed by the gaming and home-building industries, plus funds from possible impact fees, should be dedicated solely to education.
Included in the mix would be funds generated by leaving the tax rate the same even when school bonds are paid off, thus generating revenue that could be continuously dedicated to education.
The two were set to announce details of their plan at a news conference this morning at James B. McMillan Elementary School.
Their plan for a "trust fund" for education has its roots in Gov. Bob Miller's State of the State speech in January, when he chose not to address the state's infrastructure crisis, instead deferring to local governments to propose solutions.
Over the past two weeks, County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates has met with the county's mayors and, together with county staff, has determined that there is $2.4 billion worth of infrastructure needs that do not currently have a funding source.
The gaming industry has proposed a plan to help meet this shortfall -- primarily through a 1 percent room tax increase. The building industry also has proposed an increase in the real estate property transfer tax. Together, the increases would provide up to $40 million a year.
It is this pot of money that Jones and Callister say should be dedicated to education rather that "infrastructure," which includes roads, water and sewer lines, and police and fire stations.
"You cannot build quality neighborhoods, quality communities without quality education," Jones said.
Gaining support from the gaming and building communities won't be difficult, Jones said, adding that having enough schools to support the influx of growth is crucial to both industries.
"I believe that everyone recognizes the importance of education to not only Southern Nevada, but the entire state," Jones said. "I can't image gaming would be opposed to education, the same with developers.
"If you don't have adequate schools and you have year-round and double sessions, that hurts when people choose to move here."
archive
