Here's what just went out -- I have helpfully annotated -- in a message echoing what other business and gaming folks have said, and what the governor has planned, which is reforms for money, or is it money for reforms?
From: Chamber Government Relations [mailto:jheuer@thechambernv.org] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 10:20 AM To: Subject: The Election is Over; Now the REAL Work Begins
Dear Chamber Member:
First of all, thank you for your membership. Your commitment of time and resources allowed us to assist in defeating the margin tax and in electing pro-economic vitality candidates to our councils, commissions, school board, the state legislature, and the state capitol. (SIC) You put up with all of our emails, phone calls, and requests for money and you reached out to your colleagues, suppliers, and employees to let them know how important this election was to your ability to operate your business. Your membership allows us to speak with a collective voice and we are grateful for that.
We mentioned the margin tax above and we all know that the defeat of Question 3 was our top priority this year. And while we were successful, and that success was larger than we ever thought possible, we do not have the luxury of sitting back, putting our feet up, and being thankful that we dodged a bullet.
Our local and state education systems still need our undivided attention. We know that Question 3 was a horrible solution to a very real need. We know that our test scores and graduation rates are still too low and the need for remediation in college is still too high. And we know that our school facilities need to be upgraded and enhanced. We cannot expect to fund a modern school system with a decades-old tax structure. (So we are ready to help. Really, we are.)
The point is, we must do something to reform our tax structure and fund education properly. (Ah, but it depends what "properly" means, right?) Unless you want to fund and fight a margin tax-type battle every two or four years, it’s time to pass a tax package the proper way: with research and debate in Carson City through the legislative process. We must move away from a system funded by one or two cyclical industries. We must ensure that our dollars spent on education and other key government services are spent efficiently and effectively. We are not talking about throwing money at education, but throwing out the status quo and funding a system that demands results.
The Chamber does not have a tax plan to present today. (No kidding!) We won’t be creating a proposal in a vacuum. We pledge to work with Governor Sandoval, legislative leadership of both chambers and both parties, the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, other business groups, and YOU to come up with a plan for the future.
We have always supported a tax structure that is equitable, stable, and broad-based. We can’t depend on a specific industry or type of business to fund the common good. Everyone must have skin in the game. The broader your tax base is, the lower the rate can be. (Aha! So base has to be broader! Do your members get what that means? Or does it mean just services?) Key areas to look at are property and sales taxes, which individuals and businesses pay. And we must ensure that any business tax is assessed fairly across all sectors of our economy. (Fairness always in the eye of the beholder.)
Given the election results on November 4th, we have an opportunity to institute real reforms that will save taxpayers real money. Money that can be used for education, mental health, and other Nevada priorities. We will urge the Governor and the Legislature to take a serious look at reforms in the following areas: construction defect, prevailing wage, public employee collective bargaining and retirement benefits, and other issues that affect the business community and every Nevadan.
The Chamber is not interested in working with ideologues, publicity seekers, and those with axes to grind. We are interested in working with leaders, people who are ready to actively seek solutions. We are ready to get down to work and we will need your help.
Getting through the election was only the beginning. The real work begins now. Can you help us?
Please consider contributing to our Political Action Committee. We need to replenish that account after our margin tax fight.
Contact Tray Abney, our Director of Government Relations, at tabney@thechambernv.org to learn more about how you can assist with our efforts.
Thanks again for your membership and support.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Len Stevens Tray Abney
Executive Director Director of Government Relations
Here's what just went out -- I have helpfully annotated -- in a message echoing what other business and gaming folks have said, and what the governor has planned, which is reforms for money, or is it money for reforms?
From: Chamber Government Relations [mailto:jheuer@thechambernv.
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 10:20 AM
To:
Subject: The Election is Over; Now the REAL Work Begins
Dear Chamber Member:
First of all, thank you for your membership. Your commitment of time and resources allowed us to assist in defeating the margin tax and in electing pro-economic vitality candidates to our councils, commissions, school board, the state legislature, and the state capitol. (SIC) You put up with all of our emails, phone calls, and requests for money and you reached out to your colleagues, suppliers, and employees to let them know how important this election was to your ability to operate your business. Your membership allows us to speak with a collective voice and we are grateful for that.
We mentioned the margin tax above and we all know that the defeat of Question 3 was our top priority this year. And while we were successful, and that success was larger than we ever thought possible, we do not have the luxury of sitting back, putting our feet up, and being thankful that we dodged a bullet.
Our local and state education systems still need our undivided attention. We know that Question 3 was a horrible solution to a very real need. We know that our test scores and graduation rates are still too low and the need for remediation in college is still too high. And we know that our school facilities need to be upgraded and enhanced. We cannot expect to fund a modern school system with a decades-old tax structure. (So we are ready to help. Really, we are.)
The point is, we must do something to reform our tax structure and fund education properly. (Ah, but it depends what "properly" means, right?) Unless you want to fund and fight a margin tax-type battle every two or four years, it’s time to pass a tax package the proper way: with research and debate in Carson City through the legislative process. We must move away from a system funded by one or two cyclical industries. We must ensure that our dollars spent on education and other key government services are spent efficiently and effectively. We are not talking about throwing money at education, but throwing out the status quo and funding a system that demands results.
The Chamber does not have a tax plan to present today. (No kidding!) We won’t be creating a proposal in a vacuum. We pledge to work with Governor Sandoval, legislative leadership of both chambers and both parties, the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, other business groups, and YOU to come up with a plan for the future.
We have always supported a tax structure that is equitable, stable, and broad-based. We can’t depend on a specific industry or type of business to fund the common good. Everyone must have skin in the game. The broader your tax base is, the lower the rate can be. (Aha! So base has to be broader! Do your members get what that means? Or does it mean just services?) Key areas to look at are property and sales taxes, which individuals and businesses pay. And we must ensure that any business tax is assessed fairly across all sectors of our economy. (Fairness always in the eye of the beholder.)
Given the election results on November 4th, we have an opportunity to institute real reforms that will save taxpayers real money. Money that can be used for education, mental health, and other Nevada priorities. We will urge the Governor and the Legislature to take a serious look at reforms in the following areas: construction defect, prevailing wage, public employee collective bargaining and retirement benefits, and other issues that affect the business community and every Nevadan.
The Chamber is not interested in working with ideologues, publicity seekers, and those with axes to grind. We are interested in working with leaders, people who are ready to actively seek solutions. We are ready to get down to work and we will need your help.
Getting through the election was only the beginning. The real work begins now. Can you help us?
Please consider contributing to our Political Action Committee. We need to replenish that account after our margin tax fight.
Contact Tray Abney, our Director of Government Relations, at tabney@thechambernv.org to learn more about how you can assist with our efforts.
Thanks again for your membership and support.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Len Stevens
Executive Director
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