High court to consider arguments on whether to halt or allow a referendum to repeal commerce tax

CARSON CITY — Nevada’s new commerce tax will take precedence today when the state’s highest court hears arguments on whether to halt or allow a referendum to repeal it.

RIP Commerce Tax, a group led by conservative Republican state Controller Ron Knecht, is gathering signatures to give voters the last say on whether the tax, estimated to raise $60 million annually, should stay or go.

The measure was part of $1.5 billion in new and extended taxes pushed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and passed by the 2015 Legislature, largely to increase education funding.

The commerce tax imposes a levy on all businesses with annual gross revenues exceeding $4 million.

Repeal supporters need about 55,000 signatures by June 21 to qualify the measure for November’s general election ballot.

The Coalition for Nevada’s Future, a business group, challenged the referendum, arguing the petition is legally defective and fails to address possible ramifications or explain how lost revenue would be addressed.

Carson City District Judge James Wilson in December rejected those arguments and let signature gathering proceed. He said Nevada’s Constitution gives voters the right to repeal laws they don’t like.

If the referendum reaches the ballot and gains voters’ approval, the commerce tax would be repealed.

But if the measure reaches the ballot and is rejected — meaning the commerce tax survives — the current statute could be changed only by another public vote. That would prevent lawmakers from tinkering with rates during legislative sessions.

— Sandra Chereb

Sheriff unsure about Question 1

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson last week endorsed Question 1, the November ballot measure about expanding background checks to private-party firearm sales and transfers. But the county’s top cop wasn’t sure yet.

When asked whether he would endorse the measure, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said he hadn’t decided.

“I don’t know the new details, I haven’t read through the new details of Question 1. Once I do that, I will be public on my position,” he said at a Wednesday press conference about a local spike in violent crimes.

A statewide police union had supported the measure previously, but Metro’s Police Protective Association has said it’s not endorsing it.

— Wesley Juhl

Official testifies for land transfer

CARSON CITY — Nevada Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison testified in Washington, D.C., last week in favor of a measure to allow 7.2 million acres of federal lands in Nevada to be transferred to state control.

Hutchison spoke to Rep. Chris Stewart’s Federal Land Action Group in support of HR 1484, dubbed the Honor the Nevada Enabling Act of 1864.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., aims to implement recommendations by Nevada’s Public Lands Management Task Force, which were sent to Congress in Senate Joint Resolution 1 during the 2015 Legislature.

“Throughout Nevada’s history, public lands issues have had a significant impact on Nevadans’ daily lives,” Hutchison said in his testimony.

“As public officials, we need not only to recognize these issues but when necessary we should offer realistic solutions that will benefit all Nevadans in the long run.”

The measure’s supporters say a transfer would spur economic development and give the state autonomy over lands within its borders.

But opponents, including the Sierra Club, argue the state cannot afford to manage the lands, which could lead those lands to be sold to private interests.

Hutchison said the proposed initial transfer, including “checkerboard” lands, would help ensure access, economic growth and responsible land management “aimed at protecting the future sustainability and ecology of these invaluable resources.”

The checkerboard lands run along the Union Pacific Corridor in Northern Nevada. Some of the land is in private hands; some is under federal government control.

The Natural Resources Committee is expected to hear about HR 1484 soon, although a specific date hasn’t been set.

Stewart and Rob Bishop, both R-Utah, launched the Federal Land Action Group last year. It is a congressional team developing a legislative framework for transferring public lands to local ownership and control. Amodei is a member.

— Sean Whaley

CSN faculty votes to unionize

Full-time faculty at the College of Southern Nevada have voted to seek collective bargaining through the American Association of University Professors.

The election — held in late March and early April — was overseen by the Nevada Faculty Alliance, a local affiliate of the American Association of University Professors. Employees voted 263 to 126 in favor of setting collective bargaining rights through the group.

Alliance Executive Director David Steel said the American Arbitration Association counted the votes and certified the results April 15.

Steel said that the group plans to meet with administration in the fall “to discuss faculty working conditions and student learning conditions.”

— Ana Ley