Supporters lose appeal to get three petitions on ballot

CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Ross Miller on Wednesday again rejected ballot access to the backers of three petitions aimed at taking Las Vegas room tax revenues for state programs and restricting the ability of voters to raise taxes.

Miller rejected the measures Friday, saying the affidavits of petition-circulators lacked a required statement of the number of signatures and also lacked a required statement that each signer had a chance to read the full text of the plans prior to signing the petitions.

That decision was appealed but was upheld by Miller a second time, probably sending the dispute to the courts.

The measures were bankrolled by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson.

Two of the petitions would take most new room tax revenues normally allocated to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and use the money either exclusively on statewide education needs or in equal measures for education, transportation and public safety.

The third measure would impose a two-thirds vote requirement for approval of ballot measures that would raise taxes.