Horsford: companies need to 'pay their fair share'

In an impassioned morning speech, Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, said Nevada corporations need to "pay their fair share."

The speech came in response to gaming industry officials who said last night they would not support a $32 million fee increase to help close an $888 million budget gap that is threatening nearly every facet of state government.

Horsford listed the ways Nevada corporations benefit from the state, including regulatory agencies, education and roads.

"The West and Nevada wouldn't have been developed without massive investment and tax breaks provided by taxpayers," Horsford said from the Senate floor. "From federal mining laws through the development of colleges and military bases, to the construction of dams, roads and bridges, the interstate highway system, the power grid, government laid the foundation for the successes your business have and have had."

He added that while the economy is down, there are sectors that are doing well, including mining, banking and insurance.

He said the Senate will consider fee increases at 1 p.m. today.

In response, Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said before lawmakers attempt to tax the private sector more, "let's at least take the blood pressure of the patient before we wheel him into the hospital and begin administering a cure."