NEVADA CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

Legislature finally passes state budget
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-23-2003

Lawmakers take fresh look at Neal gaming tax hike
Las Vegas Review-Journal 7-17-2003

Federal judges extend restraining order barring legislature from any further action on taxes
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-17-2003

Midnight in the garden of good and evil
Budget stalemate unresolved, state constitution breached
Governor and AG file 12:01 a.m. action with Nevada Supreme Court
Las Vegas Review-Journal 7-1-2003
Unprecedented education meltdown looms

Nevada Supremes order party animals to get down by July 7
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-2-2003

NEAL: Nevada Supreme Court can only raise existing taxes
to balance budget, not impose new ones
Reno Gazette-Journal 6-30-2003


Deja Vu all over again — 2003 impasse is instant replay of 1867
Back then, mining ruled as gambling does today
Las Vegas Review-Journal 6-30-2003

GAMING TAX PROGRESS REPORT
A return to smoke-filled back room politics

Legislators go behind closed doors

   CARSON CITY (May 8, 2003) — A serious work session on taxes before the Nevada State Senate Committee on Taxation was canceled in favor of a secretive, closed door process.

 "Key Nevada senators and Assembly members are meeting behind closed doors to discuss taxes and spending, and a comprehensive tax bill isn't likely to emerge until they have an agreement," according to the Associated Press.

    "The lawmakers — a fourth of the 63-member Legislature — are 'working toward a number' to ensure any tax proposal approved by the Senate will be accepted in the Assembly, Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, said..."
MORE

     Closed government erodes democracy. As citizens, you need to keep up the pressure on the representatives fromyour area (see below) for a meaningful hike in the world's lowest gross gaming tax. The two major new taxes now on the table are the gambling industry's Grotesque Proceeds Tax (a regressive universal sales tax on all businesses whether or not they are making money) and the counter-proposal from non-gambling big businesses for a sales tax on services. Simply put, the first would eat you alive by taxing your groceries and make you sick by taxing your health care. The second would drive you to the cleaners by taxing the likes of laundry, car washes and auto repair.

     Representatives of both major special interest groups have stated on the record that the gambling industry currently pays its fair share. The facts are otherwise, but this is politics. Sen. Neal's proposal for a four percentage point hike in the gross gaming tax would correct the state deficit and still leave the Nevada gambling industry among the world's most lightly levied.

THE BACKROOM GAME'S MAJOR PLAYERS ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT —

Senators Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, Mike McGinness, R-Fallon/central Nevada Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas Bernice Mathews, D-Reno Bill Raggio, R-Reno Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas Randolph Townsend, R-Reno

Assemblymembers Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas Barbara Buckley. D-Las Vegas Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas Josh Griffin, R-Henderson Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville David Parks, D-Las Vegas Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.

   Call (1-800-995-9080), fax (775-684-6522), paper mail or e-mail (links above) and ask them to make casinos pay a fair share. Ask your friends and neighbors to do the same. Legislative hotlines are 684-6800 from Reno-Sparks-Carson City, 486-2626 from the Las Vegas area and toll-free 1-800-995-9080 statewide. The paper mail address: Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701-4747. Invest the time. It's your money.

   PASS THE WORD — Contact your own Nevada State Senate and Nevada State Assembly members and let them know your view. Nevadans can identify representatives from their districts though the front page of the legislative website. Start sending letters to the editors of your local newspapers. If you would like your name posted as a supporter at the Silver State Casinos Out of Politics (COP) website, please sign up here.

Watch this site and sign up for e-mail updates.

Legislative Issues

The case for raising casino taxes

The State of Nevada Guinn-Hunt Administration study which proves it

Conservative Think Tank — Gaming Welshes

Neal bill to end police racial profiling

Neal blasts colleagues for killing profiling bill

Discrimination bills postponed

Las Vegas
Review-Journal
Taxing Times — Nevada's fiscal system

Las Vegas Review-Journal
2003 Legislative News Archive

Las Vegas Sun
2003 Legislative News Archive

Reno Gazette-Journal 2003 Legislative News

Jim Day Cartoon
Cash Cows and Sacred Cows

Letters

LOW-TECH POLITICS This sign was put up by 2002 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Gerry Larrivee on U.S. 395 between Reno and Carson City during Sen. Neal's 2000 gaming tax petition campaign. Sen. Neal needs similar grass-roots support during this year's legislative fight for fairness. On May 20, 2003, the sign read "raise the casino tax." On May 12, it asked "Heard From Any Democrats?" Sen. Neal would understand the sentiments.

Reno Gazette-Journal Editorial — How about a 3 percent gaming tax hike?

Neal likes British tax system, casinos don't

Neal again only
elected official
named to LV
CityLife Local
Heroes List

Cory Farley: A sporting solution to casino property tax freebies

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce members 90% in favor of gross gaming tax hike

Illinois governor wants gross gaming raised from 50% to 70%

More Endorsements

Nevada casino CEOs made huge salaries in 2002

Jeff German — Gaming's power waned in 2003

Links

Sen. Neal's Biography

Contact Sen. Neal

Neal Legislative Page

State of Nevada

Nevada Democratic Party

Washoe County Party

NevadaLabor.com

Guinn Watch

Silver State Casinos Out of Politics (COP)

NEVADA NEWSPAPERS

Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas Review Journal

Reno Gazette-Journal

Sparks Tribune

Nevada Appeal

Tahoe Tribune

Las Vegas City Life

Las Vegas Business Press

Las Vegas Mercury

Neal for Governor 2002 Archive
The first African-American major party gubernatorial nominee in Nevada history

Sen. Neal's 2000-2001 Archive
Sen. Neal re-elected despite being outspent by heavily-funded gambling industry candidate
2002 UPDATE — Neal one of only two winners outspent by opponents
2001 Legislative Roundup including gaming tax and utility deregulation
Pertinent News Links

Sen. Neal / Nevada Legislature '99
Steve Wynn's art tax loophole will become a budgetary hemorrhage
Casino Seeks Tax Break for Art's Sake Casinos Out of Politics News & Bulletins

Neal for Governor '98 Archive
Neal TV SpotsLV Sun Election '98LVRJ Election '98In the NewsSen. Neal's PlatformLetters to Joe, '98Neal Files, Casinos SweatNeal Nukes Steve Wynn's Tax LoopholeLoyalty BetrayedSenior Labor Leader Exposes GuinnGuinn Reverses Only Pro-Worker PositionThe Empire Strikes BackNeal in Close Race With Guinn StatewideNews & Bulletins