Proposed Nevada mining taxation deductions changes may be dead
An effort by activists to convince the Nevada Legislature to enact changes to increase mining taxation by $30.3 million a year may have been eliminated from a proposed state revenue package.
Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Friday , 22 May 2009
RENO, NV -
mineweb.com
A veteran Nevada legislator confirmed to a Nevada newspaper that the state's mining industry has defeated an effort to increase mining's taxes by $30.3 million a year.
Assemblywoman Shelia Leslie, D-Reno, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that the core group of legislative leaders finalizing the state's tax package are no longer considering a plan to take away 40% of the mining industry's tax deductions.
Leslie said the mining tax legislation was eliminated from consideration when it become apparent the mining tax could cost the support of two Republican state senators from rural Nevada for the legislature's overall tax plan.
State Sen. Dean Rhoads, whose district includes almost all of northeastern Nevada said the miners are "all in my district. And they're going to get hit hard with the modified business tax and sales tax (increases).
However, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Executive Director Bob Fulkerson told the Gazette- Journal he has not given up hope that the mining tax will re-emerge before a final legislative vote is taken on the revenue package.
‘We're working on them to have the courage to keep mining in there," Fulkerson said. "But it just goes to show you what money can buy. When you have 24 lobbyists, you don't get taxed."
He added that if lawmakers are not convinced to change mining taxation, the issue would likely get taken to the voters "and it will be a hell of a lot worse" for the industry.
"I think mining is misjudging the public sentiment that it is not paying its fair share," Leslie told the Gazette-Journal. "I don't see any reason why they shouldn't do a referendum. And the public reaction to that may be swift and brutal."
Tim Crowley, president of the Nevada Mining Association, said mining will bear a substantial load of the most recent version of the legislative tax package that increases sales and payroll taxes. |
