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Nevada Senator Still Pushing for Casino-Tax Increase21 February 2001NEVADA – Feb. 21, 2001 –As reported by the Associated Press: “Sen. Joe Neal is back to play his perennial hand against Nevada's casino industry -- a push for higher gambling taxes. But he faces some long, long odds. ”For years, the veteran Democratic lawmaker from North Las Vegas has tried to get casinos to pay more taxes. His latest effort has been to target the largest resorts -- those with annual revenues of at least $1 million. ”…Neal's SB105 was introduced Feb. 12, and if there was any support among his fellow senators, it wasn't evident. He told other senators that they could sign on to the bill if they wanted to -- none did. ”…Legislators opposed Neal's 1999 casino-tax bill on grounds the increase was too much -- from 6.25 percent to 11.25 percent of gross revenues. His new measure would raise the tax to 10.25 percent. ”Neal said the increase would raise about $300 million a year in extra revenue for a state that could be facing budget problems within a few years without new tax revenues. ”…Neal maintains that Nevada casinos are taxed at a lower rate than those in other states with legalized gambling. ”But that's disputed by Harvey Whittemore, the top lobbyist for Nevada's major casinos. ”Whittemore said the gambling industry isn't opposed to helping the state meet its revenue needs -- but can't be expected to do the job alone. ”…Neal's basic argument for years has been that tax-paying residents have been dealt an unfair deal by casinos, which aren't paying their fair share. He said the transient population that the casinos attract require the same services, such as police, that Nevada residents pay for, and the casinos also drive up other costs such as insurance…” |