Assembly: Voters won't have tax say

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly has defeated a provision that would have let voters decide whether to raise sales taxes for growth-related problems.

Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, introduced an amendment Wednesday to put a proposed quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot.

The bill she tried to amend, AB291, allows county commissions throughout the state to raise the sales tax. A vote on the full bill is expected Friday.

By a voice vote Wednesday, the Assembly rejected Tiffany's amendment to put the tax increase on the ballot.

Tiffany rankled some of her colleagues by saying that they are pawns to "special interests" trying to ram the sales tax through the Legislature.

"Mistrust in government is at an all-time high," she said. "The public is tired of backroom deals."

At that, Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, who chairs the committee studying growth issues, jumped to his feet and cited a rule book saying that legislators can't imply that their colleagues have a hidden motive.

Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, told Tiffany to refrain, and she did, but not before firing a parting shot.

"We're not letting the people talk," she said, "but we're letting the special interests talk."

Casino lobbyists have spearheaded the sales tax increase in Clark County to help complete a second water pipe from Lake Mead. The $3 billion water and sewer project will allow the area's 1.2 million population to double in 20 years.

Sales tax opponents have testified that casinos and developers should pay for more water, since they benefit the most from growth.

Those backing the tax plan have privately conceded that they oppose putting it on the ballot because television advertising to persuade voters that they should raise their own taxes would be too expensive.

Minutes before the Assembly convened Wednesday, a larger number of casino lobbyists than usual were on the floor talking to legislators. Some casinos lobbyists have been wearing buttons that say, "Water, please."

Just after the vote Wednesday, a few casino lobbyists were clearly exultant. Harvey Whittemore, who represents the Nevada Resort Association, high-fived another lobbyist in the hallway.

During a recess before the vote, members from both parties met in closed caucuses for two hours. The Republicans took longer to break up because they were convincing Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko, not to ask for a roll call vote on Tiffany's amendment.

One legislator said Republican leaders told Carpenter that he would hurt their election chances and dry up campaign contributions from casinos if he did that.

Later, Carpenter said he didn't ask for a roll call vote because "there wasn't any support."

A roll call would have displayed the vote on an electric tote board, which legislators don't like to do on controversial issues. A voice vote provides some anonymity.

Only a handful of legislators could be heard during the voice vote in support of Tiffany's amendment. Among the Clark County legislators who supported putting the tax increase to a public vote were Tiffany, Assemblywoman Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas.

A few other legislators are expected to vote against the full bill Friday.

Legislators supporting the sales tax argued that they are elected to make tough decisions.

"I don't know about you, but I know my children have a lot of faith in me to come up here and do the right thing," said Majority Floor Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.

Perkins said hookup fees and water rates will go even higher if the sales tax isn't raised to build the pipe.

"I worry that 15 to 20 years from now ... the price of a home will be $30,000 higher because this body did not have the courage or the leadership to make good public policy," he said.

Perkins also took a shot at Tiffany.

"When some elected members of this body only think ahead to their next election cycle or purposefully just make themselves an aggravation for superfluous political gain, we are all painted with the same brush, and this honorable institution is tarnished," he said.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, introduced an amendment making large water users, such as casinos, pay a higher excise tax for the water project than residential customers. The excise tax is in addition to the sales tax.

In an interview after the Assembly vote, Senate Taxation Chairman Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, said he wouldn't support putting the sales tax increase on the ballot because county commissioners already have the option to let voters decide. His committee will hear the tax bill in the Senate.

Clark County Commissioner Mary Kincaid has said the board probably will raise the tax without a public vote.

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