Petition on taxes faces challenge
CARSON CITY -- As expected, the state teachers union on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to disqualify an initiative petition to cap property tax rates from being included on the November general election ballot.
The complaint cites numerous problems with affidavits submitted with signatures collected by petition circulators. Because of these problems, the petition fails in seven of 17 counties, the Nevada State Education Association said in the document filed in Carson City District Court.
Nevada law requires petitioners to collect enough signatures in all 17 counties to qualify a measure for the ballot.
The complaint states the petition also failed to get the minimum number of signatures needed statewide.
Secretary of State Ross Miller earlier this month rejected a challenge by the association to the tax cap being pushed by former state lawmaker Sharron Angle.
Monday was the deadline for teachers to take the matter to court.
The complaint states that of the 64,166 signatures certified by Miller, only 26,550 are actually valid due to the affidavit problems.
Angle said Friday that the petitions comply with the law and the teachers are trying to prevent Nevada residents from voting on her proposed constitutional amendment.
Angle's measure would limit property tax increases to 2 percent per year for all property until a property is sold.
The measure would have to be approved by voters twice, in November and again in 2010, before it could take effect.
Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.
