Gibbons wants to avoid tax hikes to build roads

Gov. Jim Gibbons' transportation advisors say they want to avoid tax increases, recommended by a blue ribbon task force, to fund highway construction.

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson said the transportation transition team presented no recommendations for tax and fee increases - a sharp contrast from the recommendations from the task force created by former Gov. Kenny Guinn.

That panel called for diverting sales tax revenues generated by auto sales to road construction, changing the depreciation schedule used to calculate registration fees and boosting driver's license fees, among other changes.

"A lot of things can be done without raising taxes," said Gibson, who leads the team, after meeting with Gibbons.

Gibson admitted there is a big shortfall in revenues "unless we change the way we do business."

He said that among the ideas they recommended are considering toll roads and public-private partnerships to build highways.

"Toll roads for sure have to be considered by the Legislature," said Ty Cobb, of Reno, vice chairman of the transportation transition team.

Nevada Department of Transportation experts estimate revenues for road construction will fall $3.8 billion short of needs between now and 2015.

Director Susan Martinovich said she will be looking at what other states have done with public-private partnerships to see how that concept is working. But, she said, her department is sticking to its goal of completing the major projects on its list by 2015.

One big piece of funding recommended by the task force, and included in the budget by Guinn, is $170 million in surplus revenues as a one-time appropriation to NDOT to fund expansion of Interstate 15 from the Spaghetti Bowl to Craig Road in Las Vegas. Gibbons has thus far left that funding in place.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.