CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Defenders of Nevada's new Commerce Tax are appealing to the Nevada Supreme Court to block a repeal effort.

Lawyers for the Coalition for Nevada's Future PAC filed a notice of appeal on Wednesday after a Carson City judge ruled against them earlier this month.

The PAC is trying to stop an effort led by Republican Controller Ron Knecht to repeal the tax, which applies to businesses with more than $4 million in annual Nevada revenue.

If courts don't stop the effort, tax opponents could put the repeal measure on the 2016 ballot once they gather about 55,000 signatures.

The Commerce Tax was backed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and more than two-thirds of lawmakers this spring as part of a $1.1 billion tax package aimed at increasing funding for public education.