Senator: Repeal business tax, loosen smog check requirements

By Cy Ryan

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 | 1:38 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Sen. Don Gustavson wants to repeal the state’s modified business tax, relax smog control checks of vehicles in Clark and Washoe counties and eliminate the job protection of school teachers.

In a state government that is strapped for cash, the modified business tax is expected to bring in more than $412 million in the next two fiscal years.

Gustavson, R-Sparks, introduced a variety of bills Wednesday including Senate Bill 160 to scrap the business tax. But he says the bill would only be pushed if there is other tax revenue to replace it.

He doesn’t have any suggestions about what that replacement tax should be. He introduced a similar bill two years ago but it died because of the poor financial shape of the state, he said.

At present, smog checks are required every year for vehicles in Clark and Washoe counties. Gustavson’s bill would require the emissions check after three years following the purchase of a new car, or when it reaches 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Senate Bill 158 would extend the smog checks on all other cars to every two years instead of annually, but a vehicle that failed would be required to get a yearly inspection.

Gustavson said he wants to eliminate tenure for teachers and other employees, such as police and firefighters.

Senate Bill 162 is aimed at school teachers, he said. When layoffs are needed, he said, the school superintendent shouldn't be required to dismiss teachers who were last hired.

“The superintendents of the school district should be able to hire and fire according to their decisions, not the last hired, first fired,” Gustavson said.

“Why can’t they (the school districts) keep the best teachers?” he asked. “We want to have quality education and those who are not performing let them go.”

The senator also wants to require the state Department of Motor Vehicles to conduct the driver’s license examination only in English.

He said all the cautioning signs of the road are in English. “This is a safety issue,” he said of Senate Bill 161.

The driving test is now administered in English and Spanish.