Nevadans hail changes aimed at IRS

WASHINGTON -- Nevada's representatives in Congress are praising a bill to reform the Internal Revenue Service.

A major provision of the bill approved by House and Senate negotiators last week establishes a board dominated by private citizens who will oversee the agency's budget and policy changes. The nine-member board will consist of the six citizens chosen by President Clinton and also include the secretary of the Treasury, the IRS commissioner and an IRS employee representative.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the legislation, of which he is a co-sponsor, is long overdue.

"The IRS has been a ship without a rudder because the commissioner had no power," Reid said.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said new oversight of the IRS would be a welcome change.

"We're trying to get the IRS to respond in a more efficient and a more sensible way of dealing with the public," Bryan said.

Another provision in the bill would require the IRS to prove guilt rather than the taxpayers having to prove their innocence in civil court cases.

"Our whole criminal justice system is set up so you're innocent until proven guilty," said Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev. "The IRS is the only place where you were guilty until proven innocent."

Despite the bill's progress, major issues still need to be resolved. Negotiators have not announced how much the overhaul is expected to cost, or how it will be funded.

The bill is expected to head to President Clinton in July, and he is expected to sign it into law.

"We need to have control of an out-of-control agency, and that's the bottom line," said Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.

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