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Nevada Support Our Schools Initiative (2008)
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This measure is a indirectly-initiated state statute.
Background
The cooperative effort was launched as part of a Nevada deal between the teachers' association and major casinos, which resulted in teachers dropping their earlier initiative to get money for education through a 44% increase in casino taxes.
Under the proposal, proceeds from the room tax hike would at first help make up for budget cuts that have been required because of a worsening state revenue shortfall. Later, the proceeds could be used to supplement regular K-12 funding approved by state lawmakers.[1]
Supporters
The proposal was filed by the Committee for the Advancement of Education in Nevada, which is made up of the Nevada State Education Association, Wynn Resorts, Harrah's Entertainment, and Station Casinos.[1]
Lynn Warne, president of the teachers' association, said advisory questions proposing the same will be on the November ballot in Washoe and Clark counties. Warne said the joint effort "will ensure that the voices of citizens throughout the state are heard in regard to this important issue."[1]
Harrah's Entertainment executive Jan Jones said it's important for voters in the two counties to sign the room tax petition and to vote on the advisory ballot questions on the Nov. 4 ballot.[1]
Wynn Resorts chief Steve Wynn, who founded CAEN, added that Nevadans "all have a responsibility to our state's children to provide them with the best education possible."[1]
Warne said the room tax plan would raise as much as $180 million a year based on current hotel room totals in the Las Vegas and Reno areas, and the amount would increase as more rooms are built.[1]
Opponents
The teacher's original proposal (the Save Our Schools Initiative) was opposed by the Nevada Resort Association and executives of some large casinos, including MGM Mirage Chief Executive Terry Lanni. It is not yet clear whether or not they will oppose this measure.
Poll
A Las Vegas Review-Journal poll of 400 likely Nevada voters conducted Aug. 13 to 15 showed that 60% of respondents support the Support Our Schools proposal. The poll showed 31% opposed and 9% undecided. The margin for error is plus or minus 5 percentage points.[2]
Status
This measure was filed July 31, 2008, with the Secretary of State. Supporters must now collect at least 58,628 signatures by Nov. 11, 2008, in order to send the proposal to the 2009 Legislature. Once presented to lawmakers, they have 40 days to approve the measure or the plan goes to a public vote in 2010.[3]
See also
- Procedures for qualifying an initiative in Nevada
- Laws governing the initiative process in Nevada
- Campaign finance requirements for Nevada ballot measures
- Nevada 2008 ballot measures
- Petition drive deadlines in 2008
- Nevada signature requirements
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 San Francisco Chronicle: Room tax plan filed," July 31, 2008
- ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal: "ADVISORY BALLOT QUESTIONS: Voters favor raising room tax to support education, poll says," Aug. 22, 2008
- ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal: "Plan to raise room tax to help fund public schools advances," Aug. 1, 2008
