Gibbons repeats call for discussion of tax hikes

He's said it before, and in his latest video message, Gov. Jim Gibbons says it again: Lawmakers ought to come out and tell people they plan to raise taxes.

"It's one of the worst-kept secrets in Carson City that major tax hikes are being considered in the legislative building," Gibbons says in the video. "... Now is the time for the Legislature to lay their tax hike plans on the table, let the people see them, and let the people respond."

Gibbons repeats his charge that legislators aren't being "open and honest" about their intention to raise taxes, and lists the people and businesses he says would be hurt by increased taxes.

Democratic leaders of the Assembly and Senate have set a schedule for hearings they say will first determine whether the state needs more revenue than it currently takes in, then figure out where the revenue should come from. Asked whether they are going to try to raise taxes, their answer generally comes down to "maybe." But Gibbons is correct that most legislative insiders believe it will eventually be "yes."

On the other hand, specific plans for tax hikes -- what taxes to implement or raise and how -- haven't really been hashed out, even behind the scenes.