Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

NV Mining Tax Change Fails, Barely

Nevada voters rejected by fewer than 3,400 votes a constitutional amendment that would have removed a 5 percent cap on mining industry taxes. Some 535,000 votes were cast for and against the initiative in unofficial results. The 5 percent cap dates back to 1864, when Nevada became a state. Removing it would have allowed taxes to go up, or down.

If the measure passed, it wouldn't have immediately increased taxes paid by the powerful mining industry.  That's because the state Legislature in 2013 adopted a law that would have kicked in to provide a variety of tax exemptions. Mining supporters say the industry pays hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and other taxes, provides high-paying jobs, and supports Nevada communities in many ways.
Copyright 2015 KNPR-FM. To see more, visit http://www.knpr.org/.

Jay Bartos joined Nevada Public Radio in 1993 to develop and manage the state’s first radio reading service for people unable to use standard printed material due to blindness or another disability. After the reading service was discontinued in 2011, he became the afternoon host on KNPR for ten years. Jay can now be heard on air on News 88.9 KNPR and Classical 89.7 KCNV throughout the week.