Lyon oppose teachers tax initiative

YERINGTON - Local officials have added their names to the long list of local governments and business organizations opposing the Nevada State Education Association's tax initiative proposal.

The Lyon County commissioners last week unanimously approved a resolution opposing the Nevada Tax Fairness and Quality School Funding Accountability Act.

The teachers union collected more than enough signatures to have the issue considered by the 2001 Legislature.

The initiative proposes to impose a 4-percent tax on all businesses statewide that earn more than $50,000.

Wayne Pedlar, general manager of RTP, Inc. and president of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, requested the item be put in front of the board. He noted several reasons the chamber and area businesses oppose the tax.

"Probably the most onerous portion of this initiative is it would require 50 percent of the state general fund money be dedicated to education. It is currently 35 percent. This would tie the hands of the Legislature, state and county governments. There would be less money for other areas, such as prisons and to maintain services."

Pedlar also said the proposal singles out a singular group to pay added taxes for education.

"Public education should be funded by a broad-based tax. The chamber thinks it is bad for attracting new businesses to Nevada. My company and others chose to locate here because of its favorable tax plan."

Commissioner David Fulstone said he is not against funding education but urged support of the resolution opposing the tax proposal.

"It adds an income tax to businesses and possibly even individuals in our county. We do need to fund our schools, but we need to do it in an up-front and proper manner," he said.

Jim Snellings, president of the Nevada Manufactured Housing Association, told the board his group interviewed 48 candidates during the pre-election endorsement process and, "Not one candidate spoke in support of the tax initiative."

Once in session, the Legislature has 30 days to act on the petition. Attempting to block a legislative vote on the petition, the Nevada Pro-Education Alliance has filed a lawsuit against it, claiming improprieties in its filing. The NSEA has filed motion seeking dismissal of the lawsuit.