Mining tax petition revised

The Nevada Secretary of State's office posted an updated version of a proposal to raise money for schools and other services by increasing taxes on the state's mines.

An earlier version of the petition by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada had been challenged by the Nevada Mining Association.

A judge agreed with the miners that some of the language was too vague. The new version more clearly spells out what minerals will be taxed. The revision also exposes a potentially sticky wicket from a political point of view.

That is, the tax would apply to geothermal energy production. People on the left who might be inclined to make miners pay more for schools might think twice if the same petition would hamper production of a clean and abundant source of energy in the state.

The clearer language also notes the change could result in a 300 percent increase in taxes on minerals, which voters may see as too big of a hike.

Voters would have to approve the language in successive elections for the new tax to be enacted.