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Readers will recall that within the last year or two property values in Carson, Douglas, Washoe and Clark counties began to increase significantly. Earlier this year, Incline's Assemblywoman, Sharron Angle, headed up a citizens' initiative petition effort to impose property tax limitations in Nevada similar to those of California's Proposition 13. Although Angle's group fell short of the required number of signatures to qualify for a public vote, the prospect that she could try again, combined with howls of pain from homeowners, caused the Clark County assessor to propose a 6 percent annual limitation on property tax increases.
Both Democrat and Republican leaders praised the proposal and urged Gov. Guinn to call a special session to enact tax cap legislation so it could be effective before the 2005-06 tax bills are sent out. The governor declined to do so but promised that the proposal would be marked for early consideration when the Legislature convenes in February 2005.
Immediately after winning re-election, Angle and Washoe County Commissioner Jim Galloway facilitated a meeting of Washoe County property owners and laid out these facts:
1. This fall Nevada GOP Assembly candidates agreed to campaign on a common plank called the Contract With Nevada, one provision of which was a promise that a GOP-controlled Assembly would enact a property tax cap. The GOP did not achieve a majority in the Assembly and in fact lost a net of three seats.
2. At a preliminary hearing on tax caps in the county commission chambers the Washoe County School District and many county staffers made it clear that they intended to adamantly oppose any effort to cap property taxes.
Angle said she planned to introduce a Proposition 13- type tax cap bill as well as a 6 percent tax cap bill at the next session of the Legislature. Additionally, Incline Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick intends to introduce an "in-between" bill which would initially cap tax increases at 4 percent per year, gradually lowering to 2 percent.
Realistically, with an increased Democratic majority in the Assembly and expected opposition by public employees' unions and county school districts, Angle says she has no illusions about the prospects for success, even with the support of Clark County's assessor. However, the publicity which will accompany arguments over the proposals is expected to keep public interest at a high level, particularly since county tax bills are mailed out about the time the Legislature adjourns.
Galloway suggested continued public hearings on the subject with a requirement that opponents of tax caps must furnish concrete data in advance of such hearings to justify claims of budgetary Armageddon.
Additionally, opponents and proponents alike would be subject to identical time constraints in making their presentations.
Angle and Galloway suggested that, in the event neither bill becomes law by the end of the session, the way to keep pressure on is to continue to use the citizens' initiative process, much as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has done in California when faced with a stubborn Democratic majority in his legislature.
At the conclusion of their meeting the property owners all agreed to pursue the fight, and elected Reno attorney Patty Cafferata, chair. Cafferata previously served as Nevada state treasurer and is the daughter of retired Congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich.
That should get some attention.
Jim Clark is president of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Republican Advocates (formerly Republican Men's Club) and a vice chair of the Washoe County Republican Party. He also serves as chair of Independent Incline.
Both Democrat and Republican leaders praised the proposal and urged Gov. Guinn to call a special session to enact tax cap legislation so it could be effective before the 2005-06 tax bills are sent out. The governor declined to do so but promised that the proposal would be marked for early consideration when the Legislature convenes in February 2005.
Immediately after winning re-election, Angle and Washoe County Commissioner Jim Galloway facilitated a meeting of Washoe County property owners and laid out these facts:
1. This fall Nevada GOP Assembly candidates agreed to campaign on a common plank called the Contract With Nevada, one provision of which was a promise that a GOP-controlled Assembly would enact a property tax cap. The GOP did not achieve a majority in the Assembly and in fact lost a net of three seats.
2. At a preliminary hearing on tax caps in the county commission chambers the Washoe County School District and many county staffers made it clear that they intended to adamantly oppose any effort to cap property taxes.
Angle said she planned to introduce a Proposition 13- type tax cap bill as well as a 6 percent tax cap bill at the next session of the Legislature. Additionally, Incline Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick intends to introduce an "in-between" bill which would initially cap tax increases at 4 percent per year, gradually lowering to 2 percent.
Realistically, with an increased Democratic majority in the Assembly and expected opposition by public employees' unions and county school districts, Angle says she has no illusions about the prospects for success, even with the support of Clark County's assessor. However, the publicity which will accompany arguments over the proposals is expected to keep public interest at a high level, particularly since county tax bills are mailed out about the time the Legislature adjourns.
Galloway suggested continued public hearings on the subject with a requirement that opponents of tax caps must furnish concrete data in advance of such hearings to justify claims of budgetary Armageddon.
Additionally, opponents and proponents alike would be subject to identical time constraints in making their presentations.
Angle and Galloway suggested that, in the event neither bill becomes law by the end of the session, the way to keep pressure on is to continue to use the citizens' initiative process, much as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has done in California when faced with a stubborn Democratic majority in his legislature.
At the conclusion of their meeting the property owners all agreed to pursue the fight, and elected Reno attorney Patty Cafferata, chair. Cafferata previously served as Nevada state treasurer and is the daughter of retired Congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich.
That should get some attention.
Jim Clark is president of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Republican Advocates (formerly Republican Men's Club) and a vice chair of the Washoe County Republican Party. He also serves as chair of Independent Incline.
