Political Update – July 29, 2014
![]() NPRI study: Margin tax would kill 3,600+ jobs, have
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![]() NPRI study: Margin tax would kill 3,600+ jobs, have
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![]() EDITORIAL: Question 3 counters country’s tax-cutting trendLas Vegas Review-Journal
If Nevada were really trying to catch up to other states, if it were really serious about creating an environment for future prosperity and opportunity, then Question 3 on November’s ballot would seek to cut taxes, not raise them. Question 3 is the 2 percent margins tax initiative placed on the ballot by the state teachers union. If voters approve the question, an estimated $750 million per year would be taken out of the recovering private sector at the expense of business job creation, just as Nevada’s economic development efforts are becoming better coordinated and more productive. The mere prospect of such a punitive tax becoming law in Nevada puts the state at a competitive disadvantage in its pursuit of new industry and investment. Across the country, states are raising the stakes in luring companies — and fending off outsiders intent on plucking top employers — by cutting taxes. — This month, Rhode Island’s corporate income tax rate fell from 9 percent to 7 percent. — Also this month, Indiana’s corporate income tax rate fell from 7.5 percent to 7 percent. The rate will drop again next year, to 6.5 percent. Indiana’s personal income tax rate will fall from 3.4 percent this year to 3.23 percent in 2017, and the state abolished its inheritance tax. — Last month, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law several tax cuts, from deductions for small businesses to an income tax cut to an expansion of tax credits for low- and middle-income earners. — Earlier this year, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed into law property tax cuts and income tax cuts. — Last year, about 20 states enacted at least one tax cut. Nevada was one of them, approving a small-business payroll tax deduction. Keystone’s Mission: To recruit, support and advocate for candidates for public office who support private sector job creation, low taxation, a responsible regulatory environment, and effective delivery of essential state services. Keystone’s Goals:
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“If Nevada were really trying to catch up to other states, if it were really serious about creating an environment for future prosperity and opportunity, then Question 3 on November’s ballot would seek to cut taxes, not raise them.“– Las Vegas Review-Journal
![]() CATO fellow condemns Nevada margins tax
Whip Villarreal
Las Vegas Review-Journal
RENO — “The last thing we need is something that chokes off the start of new businesses.”
So said Gerald P. O’Driscoll Jr., a senior fellow of the CATO Institute, about the proposed business margins tax on the Nov. 4 statewide ballot.
![]() Co Chairs Darren and Cheryl Miller Invite Honoree with Dennis Miller October 14, 2014 Well known for his conservative political opinions Dennis is a regular political commentator on Fox News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor. He is a stand up comedian and political commentator as well as a TV & radio personality. The Venetian Download The Table and Sponsorship Information Here |
![]() Nevada’s Margin Tax Initiative to affect farmers and ranchersJessica Fagunes As the November election approaches, so does the Education/Margin Tax Initiative on Nevada’s ballot, a measure that could greatly affect many of Nevada’s agriculturists especially farmers and ranchers in the state. The Margin Tax Initiative or Question 3 on the upcoming ballot would require any business with gross revenues of more than $1 million to pay a margin tax liability of 2 percent on their entire revenue. The tax revenue would be spent on education in Nevada. “It is the equivalent of a 14 to 15 percent corporate income tax rate because it’s on gross income; it’s not on net income,” said Karen Griffin, spokesperson for the Coalition to Defeat the Margin Tax Initiative. “This initiative is deeply flawed and costly.” Griffin explained that although the additional tax revenue would supposedly go to education, the initiative provides no guidelines on how funds should be spent, giving the state the authority to divert funds to another cause. The Coalition said that the tax initiative could raise between $460 million and $800 million annually, resulting in costly taxes for employers with incomes higher than $1 million. According to Griffin, the additional tax would also make Nevada one of the five highest taxed states in which to operate, leading to a loss of new businesses and jobs. The Coalition estimates 9,000 jobs will be lost if the initiative passes. Griffin also explains that the new tax would be especially detrimental to employers that have high overhead costs and small profit margins including agriculture operations, grocery stores, restaurants and other small businesses. “This is a 2 percent tax on gross revenue and in many cases, that’s more than farmers are making,” Griffin said. “These farms have been in families for generations and now they are looking to have to give up what their families have been working on for years.” Keystone’s Mission: To recruit, support and advocate for candidates for public office who support private sector job creation, low taxation, a responsible regulatory environment, and effective delivery of essential state services. Keystone’s Goals:
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“The Coalition estimates 9,000 jobs will be lost if the initiative passes.“– Jessica Fagunes, Nevada Appeal
![]() State education tax battle to gain money through summer
Sean Whaley
Las Vegas Review-Journal CARSON CITY — A low-key but high-stakes campaign is underway to win the hearts and minds of Nevada voters ahead of the general election and a crucial vote on a margins tax to fund public education. Question 3 on the Nov. 4 ballot, called The Education Initiative, is arguably the most important issue for voters this election year. Although the focus is voter education, money will play an important role in the debate when the campaign intensifies this summer. ![]()
Keystone Annual Dinner with Dennis Miller October 14, 2014 Well known for his conservative political opinions Dennis is a regular political commentator on Fox News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor. He is a stand up comedian and political commentator as well as a TV & radio personality. The Venetian Download The Table and Sponsorship Information Here |
![]() Solari: Margins tax a danger to economic developmentBy: John Solari Economic development is gaining momentum in Reno and Nevada, but a self-inflicted wound could stop the economic recovery in its tracks. The margins tax, a proposal by the state teachers union to levy a 2 percent tax on all businesses with over $1 million in revenue, will go before voters this Nov. 4. Nevada businesses are just coming out of a long economic downturn. Here in Reno, the region is re-inventing itself from a gambling past and moving into an entrepreneurial future. Reno has made a lot of headway, and much of it has been built on the reputation of Reno as a great place to live, work, and start and grow a business. Keystone’s Mission: To recruit, support and advocate for candidates for public office who support private sector job creation, low taxation, a responsible regulatory environment, and effective delivery of essential state services. Keystone’s Goals:
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Keystone Annual Dinner with Dennis Miller October 14, 2014 Well known for his conservative political opinions Dennis is a regular political commentator on Fox News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor. He is a stand up comedian and political commentator as well as a TV & radio personality. The Venetian Download The Table and Sponsorship Information Here |
![]() CCSD intercepts emails to teachers, prevents educators from learning of their rightsNevada Policy Research Institute The Nevada Policy Research Institute’s annual effort to alert teachers of their right to opt out of union membership from July 1 to July 15 has uncovered something unsettling: The Clark County School District is intercepting and blocking emails sent to teachers, thereby preventing them from learning of their rights. On June 2, NPRI emailed over 12,000 CCSD teachers regarding their right to leave the union, yet only a nominal amount of emails were opened. In previous years, over 2,000 individuals have opened similar emails. Also, when NPRI asked a sampling of teachers in the district if they had received NPRI’s communications, they had not even though NPRI had sent them an email message. Based on NPRI’s internal testing and consultation with an external internet provider, evidence shows that the Clark County School District — which has a history of trying to hinder email communication between NPRI and teachers — has blocked NPRI from communicating with its teachers via the public, taxpayer-funded email addresses. In response to the discovery, NPRI President Andy Matthews issued the following statement It is outrageous that a government agency would censor communications between teachers and a private group. It also raises First Amendment concerns, because the Clark County Education Association, another private organization, is able to email teachers. It’s wrong for a government agency to use taxpayer dollars to pick and choose who communicates with government employees. Communication with a government employee shouldn’t be reserved exclusively for those approved by a government agency. Over the past two years, over 1,200 teachers in Clark County have left the CCEA as a result of NPRI’s opt-out campaign, and now CCSD is aggressively preventing teachers from being able to make their own decisions about union membership. NPRI’s teacher union opt-out campaign is about providing Nevada educators with the information they need and deserve to make an informed decision. The fact that CCSD would intentionally intercept emails intended for its employees should be maddening for its teachers and deeply concerning for the public that pays the district’s bills. Keystone’s Mission: To recruit, support and advocate for candidates for public office who support private sector job creation, low taxation, a responsible regulatory environment, and effective delivery of essential state services. Keystone’s Goals:
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“The Clark County School District is intercepting and blocking emails sent to teachers, thereby preventing them from learning of their rights.“–Nevada Policy Research Institute
![]() ![]() A Call to Action
The Coalition to Defeat the Margin Tax campaign needs your help. Between now and November 4, we need to continue to build a broad-based coalition of organizations, businesses and individuals who oppose the deeply flawed Margin Tax Initiative, otherwise known as Question 3.
During the month of July, please help Stop the Margin Tax Initiative by:
Read key facts about Question 3
As a valued member of our coalition, we want you to have the most up-to-date information about the damaging effects Question 3 would have on Nevada’s economy, small businesses and future job growth. Find the latest on the key facts about the Margin Tax Initiative by clicking here.
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Keystone Annual Dinner with Dennis Miller October 14, 2014 Well known for his conservative political opinions Dennis is a regular political commentator on Fox News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor. He is a stand up comedian and political commentator as well as a TV & radio personality. The Venetian Download The Table and Sponsorship Information Here |
To recruit, support and advocate for candidates for public office who support private sector job creation, low taxation, a responsible regulatory environment, and effective delivery of essential state services.
To focus on candidate support in state legislative races and the governor’s office.
To oppose any form of corporate income taxes or other business taxes that discourage capital investment and therefore job creation.
Support limiting Nevada state government spending to the rate of population growth.