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Bonanza News Service - Cathleen Allison Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, R-Reno, talks on the Assembly floor Friday at the Legislature in Carson City, after lawmakers passed a bill that would provide relief from soaring property taxes. Angle was the sole vote against the bill.
Although most agree the tax relief bill passed Friday by the Legislature is a step in the right direction, some Incline Village activists say the bill is nothing more than a political maneuver to avoid a Proposition 13-type initiative in Nevada.
"The only reason the Legislature passed this bill is the fear of Proposition 13," said Wayne Fischer, a member of the Village League to Save Incline Assets, a group protesting property tax increases in Nevada and Washoe County. "They passed this to get people to stop thinking of passing a Proposition 13."
The legislation, AB489, caps tax increases on single-family, owner-occupied residences at 3 percent. Commercial properties would be capped at 8 percent, and new growth and construction would be taxed at current levels. Gov. Kenny Guinn, who praised lawmakers for passing the legislation, is expected to sign the bill this week.
Ted Harris, head of Nevadans for a Property Tax Cap, said that although he believes a permanent solution to increasing property taxes is still needed, the Legislature's decision has restored his faith in government.
"The only reason the Legislature passed this bill is the fear of Proposition 13," said Wayne Fischer, a member of the Village League to Save Incline Assets, a group protesting property tax increases in Nevada and Washoe County. "They passed this to get people to stop thinking of passing a Proposition 13."
The legislation, AB489, caps tax increases on single-family, owner-occupied residences at 3 percent. Commercial properties would be capped at 8 percent, and new growth and construction would be taxed at current levels. Gov. Kenny Guinn, who praised lawmakers for passing the legislation, is expected to sign the bill this week.
Ted Harris, head of Nevadans for a Property Tax Cap, said that although he believes a permanent solution to increasing property taxes is still needed, the Legislature's decision has restored his faith in government.
"All in all we are very pleased," Harris said. "We think this is a terrific step in the right direction to protect the property owners who were going to take a hit with the increases."
Harris attended about 15 hearings at the Legislature on the property tax issue this year, and said most of the tax proposals that were being considered by lawmakers were "a nightmare."
"There were some very lousy proposals out there that were going to do nothing, but it turned out to be 180 degrees from that," he said.
Village League member Les Barta was not as optimistic about the tax bill.
Harris attended about 15 hearings at the Legislature on the property tax issue this year, and said most of the tax proposals that were being considered by lawmakers were "a nightmare."
"There were some very lousy proposals out there that were going to do nothing, but it turned out to be 180 degrees from that," he said.
Village League member Les Barta was not as optimistic about the tax bill.
"First of all I think it's a Band-Aid," Barta said. "It was created in great haste by people who don't understand our complex tax system. Now they've made it even more complex and it makes the tax structure a complete and unequivocated mess."
Barta is working with Republican Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, the only lawmaker to vote against AB489, on a tax reform proposal similar to California's Proposition 13, which capped property value increases at 2 percent per year until the property was sold.
Barta is concerned the law will create two classes of taxpayers, which would violate the principle of equal taxation, he said.
"This fix now is better than nothing, but it's not much," Barta said.
Barta is working with Republican Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, the only lawmaker to vote against AB489, on a tax reform proposal similar to California's Proposition 13, which capped property value increases at 2 percent per year until the property was sold.
Barta is concerned the law will create two classes of taxpayers, which would violate the principle of equal taxation, he said.
"This fix now is better than nothing, but it's not much," Barta said.
Fischer agreed, saying he's happy about the 3 percent cap for homeowners, but not about the 8 percent cap on commercial property and second-home and rental properties. Because the Legislature can change the tax cap in its next session, Fischer said he believes a constitutional amendment is needed to protect Nevada property owners.
"This is why a lot of us feel the Nevada Proposition 13-equivalent will happen," he said.
Village League member Maryanne Ingemanson, whose property taxes on her lakefront home went up $45,000 in two years, said she surprised the Legislature passed a bill so quickly, but said the battle is not over for tax protesters.
"I strongly feel there will be an initiative on the next ballot," Ingemanson said.
"This is why a lot of us feel the Nevada Proposition 13-equivalent will happen," he said.
Village League member Maryanne Ingemanson, whose property taxes on her lakefront home went up $45,000 in two years, said she surprised the Legislature passed a bill so quickly, but said the battle is not over for tax protesters.
"I strongly feel there will be an initiative on the next ballot," Ingemanson said.
