Talk of new laws, future plans highlight association meeting

The 2013 state legislative session wrapped up less than two months ago, but that hasn’t kept lawmakers from eyeing their next go-round.

Talk of new laws and future proposals dominated a Thursday luncheon held at The Orleans by the local chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. The event featured a panel of four Nevada lawmakers: Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas; Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas; Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno; and Assemblyman Pat Hickey, R-Reno.

The panel, moderated by local political commentator Elizabeth Crum, talked about the tax fights of the legislative session that ended in June, and offered a glimpse of what’s to come in 2014 and 2015.

The business margins tax was the hottest topic. The levy, designed to add $800 million a year to state education spending, would put a 2 percent tax on revenue minus company costs and compensation. The first $1 million in revenue would be exempt. The proposal didn’t have firm support from the panel, perhaps not a surprise given the mixed reaction it got in the Legislature. The tax went straight to the 2014 ballot after lawmakers failed to vote on it.

Kieckhefer and Hickey said they oppose the tax. Denis said he hasn’t decided to support it, because he’s worried the rate is too high and there’s no way to adjust the tax. And Kirkpatrick wouldn’t take a stand on it except to say it’s the kind of policy that will happen absent bigger reforms.

“Until we do something in this state to broaden the tax base and clean up our tax system, this is going to be the way of the future,” she said. “We have to fix some of our tax structure. Do I think it’s the right tax? No. But we have choices to make.”

Hickey said he’s willing to look at a new, broad-based business tax in 2015. A tax on services could work, if it’s fair, he said. But he said he also expects some give and take.

“The (Republican) party talks about revenue-neutral taxes. I don’t want to hide behind that,” Hickey said. “If you have a good tax that doesn’t hinder economic development, it shouldn’t be revenue-neutral. It should, in fact, generate more money. Our caveat is, if you want Republicans to agree to spend more money, please agree to some areas where we can save public dollars.”

Despite their disagreements, panelists said they were mostly pleased with the session.

“Other than not getting a tax hike for education, there were a lot of things we did,” Denis said. “I thought we had a really successful session. My No. 1 goal was to make sure we got along and worked together.”

Kirkpatrick said her biggest regret was falling short at reforming the state’s live entertainment tax. Her proposal called for an 8 percent levy on tickets to concerts, as well as taxes on tours and nightclubs. The idea didn’t get much support from other lawmakers, but Kirkpatrick said she’ll “absolutely try again” in 2015.

And Hickey said Southern Nevada will benefit from new formulas for distributing public dollars to the state’s colleges and universities, though rural campuses may suffer. He said some community colleges in remote communities may have to tap private dollars from mining companies and other businesses.

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512. Follow @J_Robison1 on Twitter.