Political pressure

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 | 2:08 a.m.

Gov. Jim Gibbons and his wife, Dawn, bought 40 acres in Elko County last year for $575,000 with plans to eventually build a retirement home.

The governor then pressed for a significant property tax cut, saying the land was being used for cattle grazing. The law allows for a tax break on land used for agricultural purposes.

Elko County Assessor Joe Aguirre told the Associated Press that Gibbons came to see him in September to discuss the tax break, but Aguirre rejected the governor’s request.

Land must generate at least $5,000 worth of income to receive the reduction, and cattle grazing land must produce half of the feed consumed by the animals. Gibbons’ land wouldn’t qualify.

At the highest standard grazing fee, Gibbons would need 21 cows on his land to meet the legal threshold. However, it would be next to impossible for that to happen. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association says it takes about 100 acres of scrubby sagebrush-covered land, such as Gibbons’, to support a single cow.

Gibbons, however, hired politically connected Elko attorney John Marvel to press his case. On “Face to Face With Jon Ralston” on Tuesday, Aguirre said he felt backed into a corner because Marvel sits on the Nevada Tax Commission. The commission has great influence over assessors, setting state policy and hearing taxpayer appeals of assessors’ decisions.

Marvel produced checks totaling $5,727 for grazing fees. Aguirre was dubious of the arrangement and said he couldn’t determine whether the checks had ever been cashed. But feeling pressured, Aguirre caved in, cutting Gibbons’ annual tax bill from about $5,000 to $39.71.

Using his political clout to bully the assessor of a rural county into giving him a tax break he didn’t deserve is disgusting. It is sadly yet another display of Gibbons’ imperial arrogance and his belief that he is above the law.

He should do the right thing and pay the full tax bill, but judging from his track record, we doubt that will ever happen.