Question 3 appears headed for defeat

The Nevada Margin Tax for Public Schools Initiative, Question 3, or Margin Tax appears to be headed for defeat based on early voting in Nevada.

Churchill County voters defeated Question 3 by a 6,631 to 795 margin. Statewide, the measure was going down in flames with 78 percent of the voters against it.

Check the Lahontan Valley News website for the latest statewide results. The Education Initiative — better known as the Margin Tax Initiative — proposed to subject every Nevada business that posts a gross revenue exceeding $1 million with a 2 percent margin tax.

In Churchill County, the Fallon Chamber of Commerce and Churchill County Economic Development Authority opposed Question 3 as did every candidate for Churchill County School Board.

county question 1

Churchill County voters narrowly passed County Question 1, 3,750 to 3,662.

The ballot question is seeking funding over a six-year period to purchase and refurbish fire department equipment. Residents would not be taxed additionally as a result of County Question 1. As the 2008 measure expires, the Churchill County Commissioners would keep the ad valorum tax rate of 3 percent override implemented six years ago when that ballot measured passed.

QUESTION 1: COURT OF APPEALS

A constitutional amendment to create an appellate court in Nevada appeared to be passing statewide with 53 percent of the vote. Churchill County voters, though, defeated the measure, 4,126 to 3,174 votes..

Question 1 asked voters whether or not to amend the Nevada Constitution in order to create an Intermediate Appellate Court or a court of appeals.

QUESTION 2: MINING TAX

Question 2 sought for the Nevada Constitution to be amended to remove the cap on the taxation of minerals and other requirements and restrictions relating to the taxation of mines, mining claims, and minerals and the distribution of money collected from such taxation. Churchill County voted against it, 5,292 to 2,047.

Statewide, it appears too close to call although early results show 51 percent of Nevada voters in favor.