ProgressNow Nevada Demands New Revenue

Calls State of State Disaster

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2010

Contact: Erin Neff (702) 562-8120 (o) (702) 401-7959 (cell) erin@progressnownevada.org

ProgressNow Nevada issued its State of the State today, calling the state of Nevada a disaster.

The governor is offering to kill education without even finding enough revenue to fill the $882 million hole.

Lawmakers are discussing how to minimize the severity of 22-percent across-the-board cuts, as if that's possible.

ProgressNow Nevada demands all options be brought to the table, including a plan for new revenue.

"Some argue it's untenable to increase taxes during a recession," said Erin Neff, executive director. "We find it's untenable to kill education and destroy the state's future."

ProgressNow's revenue proposal would generate $650 million annually.

It also includes $150 million in one-time roll-up costs identified by lawmakers and $88 million in cuts.

The specifics are:

Removing statutory exemptions on mining ($150 million annually).
Implementing a .50 percent tax on businesses earning more than $350,000 ($500 million annually).
Implementing the roll-ups identified by legislative leaders ($150 million one-time).
Making $88 million in cuts by shortening the school year; adding a furlough day; and additional measures that do not lead to lay-offs of state workers or teachers.

"The choice is really about what kind of state we live in and what legacy we leave," Neff said. "Even if lawmakers adopt our entire plan, Nevada would still be 50th in the nation for education funding."

ProgressNow Nevada also launched a petition Monday urging lawmakers to adopt the revenue plan.

More information is available on the organization's website: http://www.progressnownevada.org

ProgressNow Nevada is a nonprofit organization which educates Nevadans about progressive issues, including education, health care, the environment and media accountability. ProgressNow Action advocates for progressive policy. Las Vegas Journal Review http://www.lvjournalreview.com is ProgressNow Nevada's media project.

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