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CALL to ACTION:
Chamber
Fights for $800 Million in Taxpayers Savings and Refunds,
Calls for Education Reform
2005 Legislature Move Towards Closure
As the 2005 legislative session comes to a close, few aspects of
the final budget are certain. What is certain is the existence
of a large budget surplus of taxpayer dollars. The Las Vegas
Chamber of Commerce is fighting to return those dollars to YOU –
the Nevada taxpayer. The Chamber is supporting six proposals
that will return and save taxpayers more than $800 million. In
addition, the Chamber is calling for the legislature to
support needed educational changes and comprehensive studies. However, we need
your support to help us succeed in these efforts.
Fiscal responsibility is vital in
preserving Nevada’s entrepreneurial environment and healthy
economy. Limited, effective use of taxpayer dollars is a
catalyst for attracting businesses and jobs to our state and ALL
government spending should be viewed as an investment in our
state’s long-term economic health and well-being. The Las Vegas
Chamber of Commerce supports the following measures to save
millions of your hard earned dollars in both long term and
short-term expenditures.
First: Return $300 Million to Taxpayers. At least $300
million of the budget surplus should come back to Nevada
taxpayers. Returning this money to the public will encourage
economic activity, allow citizens to use the money as they see
fit and prevent these dollars from being spent on further
government programs.
Second: Shore Up the Rainy Day Fund. An additional $50
million, above and beyond the Governor’s suggested $200 million,
should be put in our state’s “Rainy Day Fund”. Many in Nevada
believe we have an unstable tax base that is subject to
fluctuations. Increasing the emergency funds we can access
during an economic downturn will prevent the need for
legislators to raise additional taxes in the future.
Third: Lower Taxes. Consideration should be given to
lowering the tax rate on businesses in Nevada. The creation of the
Modified Business Tax was not to over-generate revenue; rather
it was meant to provide appropriate services to the people of
Nevada. A continuous over-generation of revenue
is wasteful and indicates the need for a reduction in Nevada’s
Modified Business Tax.
Fourth: Abolish Public Employee Retirement Subsidies. By
supporting Governor Guinn’s plan to eliminate subsidies for
retired public employees health care benefits (for future hires
only), it should result in a $500 million dollar savings over 30
years. Such generous public retirement plans have created a
long-term financial liability for the State of Nevada – a
liability that will eventually have to be paid by the taxpayer if
the problem is not addressed now.
Fifth: Revise Millennium Scholarship Guidelines. While
the state’s Millennium Scholarship has helped thousands of our
young people attend college, the program needs some adjustment.
The legislature should tighten up Millennium Scholarship
eligibility. We should put the "scholar" back in
scholarships and no longer pay for remedial classes and
revoke the scholarships for students whose grades drop below
2.6 GPA. Additionally, the scholarships should be granted based
on standardized test scores rather than a subjective grade-based
measure.
Sixth: Education Spending. Supporting the creation of a
task force to study our state's education policy is a good idea.
Such a group, made up of legislators, business leaders and
educators, should examine the best practices currently used by
other states. New tax dollars should not be spent in the K-12
system until there are clear objectives and an understanding of
what results the investments will produce. Above all, any
recommendations should be tied to measurable and accountable
achievement.
The legislature must carefully reflect on the investment they
are making regarding the long-term impact of our educational
investment - to promote a strong economy, provide necessary
services and successfully educate our children.
If you agree with ANY of these tax saving ideas, we encourage
you to contact your state legislator through a letter or phone
call to make them aware of how you feel. Your personal effort
can make a significant impact in moving these suggestions from
paper to reality. To contact your legislator go to:
http://mapserve.leg.state.nv.us/website/lcb/viewer.htm or
call (800) 978-2878.
If possible, please fax your legislator on company letterhead
and send a copy of the letter to Michael Phillips, Government
Affairs Manager at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce at
mphillips@lvchamber.com or fax to (702) 735-0413. If you
have any questions or other concerns about this issue or any
other, please do not hesitate to call (702) 735-2460. |
