Goodman looking into taxes

Read our lips: We need more taxes.

Believe it or not, that's the word from several of Nevada's top political leaders. They're arguing that cutting spending isn't the best way to deal with an anticipated $285 million budget shortfall.

"I just feel that there's a lot that's broken in this state," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. "If we're going to have a great city, if we're going to have a great state ... we have to pay for it. It doesn't come from nothing."

Goodman and others raised the issue Wednesday during a meeting with Gov. Jim Gibbons. On Thursday, Goodman said there's an effort brewing to make the case that Nevada needs new revenue sources -- perhaps even an overhaul of the tax system.

He wouldn't discuss specifics, saying he wants to work with the Nevada Development Authority and city staff before announcing recommendations.

But he wants to find out if Nevada's lack of a corporate income tax is a factor businesses consider when deciding where to put down roots.

"That's a pertinent fact as to a potential source of income," Goodman said. "I know that there are many industries, businesses in our community that do not pay anything."

Goodman also said he wouldn't support attempts to raise property taxes.

"I'm not looking to tax the little guys," he said. "I'm looking to people who make millions and millions and millions of dollars, and don't pay one cent in order to help us make this a great place."

Deputy City Manager Betsy Fretwell has been tasked with arranging a meeting for Goodman and like-minded leaders, and Goodman said he would ask Reno Mayor Bob Cashell to do the same in his part of the state. The specifics of the meeting haven't been determined, Fretwell said.

Gibbons is expected to make budget-cutting decisions by January. Goodman said his working group probably won't have accomplished much by then.

"This is in its most infant state. This is not a quick fix," he said. "This is to, in my opinion, redesign our entire revenue-raising policy and methodology in Nevada.

"You've got to design what you want your city to become, what you want your state to become, figure out how much it's going to cost to get there, and then figure out a way to raise the money. That discussion has to take place."

Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid agrees that the instability of Nevada's tax structure is something that requires study. But on Thursday, Reid wasn't willing to take a position on a possible corporate income tax.

"I'm focused on what I have fiscal jurisdiction over," Reid said. "I'm trying to protect the child welfare system."

During the state budget summit called by Gibbons, Reid unsuccessfully tried to obtain a commitment from the governor to exempt child welfare funding from potential cuts. Gibbons did it for education, Reid said, and it would make sense for him to do the same for child welfare.

"If the goal is to protect all children, shouldn't the most vulnerable -- those who've been abused and neglected -- be excluded from the budget cuts?" Reid asked.

The emphasis on protecting child welfare funds comes at a time when Clark County Family Services faces mandates from both the state and the federal government to improve services. But Reid fears that improvements aren't going to be realized if the funding earmarked to pay for additional staff and training falls through. Some of the state's most influential lawmakers, including Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, already recognize that, Reid said.

"I don't believe we're going to go there. I believe that ultimately, the state will recognize the rightness of our position."