A state judge in Carson City says he’ll rule quickly on whether a Nevada tax initiative pushed by the teachers union and other labor groups is legally sound. Either way, lawyers say the case is likely headed to the state Supreme Court.
The Committee to Protect Nevada Jobs argues that the Education Initiative is misleading, despite being rewritten once, and is therefore invalid. District Judge James Wilson earlier this year ruled the initial measure violated the state’s single subject rule for petitions. Organizers then rewrote it.
The margins tax proposal seeks to impose a 2 percent tax on businesses grossing more than $1 million. Backers say they’ve already gathered 55,000 to 60,000 signatures needed to send the measure to the 2012 Legislature but need a total of 72,000 signatures by November 13th.
And with early voting set to start next weekend, the voter registrar of Nevada’s second most populous county has been placed on temporary medical leave. Washoe County Registrar Dan Burk is off the job after undergoing intestinal surgery earlier this week.
Officials say he’s doing well and is expected to return to his job in about two weeks by the November 6th general election.
During Burk’s absence, his assistant, Luanne Cutler, will be filling in for him and says the registrar’s office is well prepared for the election. Early voting begins October 20th.
Lastly, environmental groups are applauding the federal government’s new plan setting aside 445 square miles of public land in the West for the development of large-scale solar power plants. The 17 new “solar energy zones” will be established in six states icluding Nevada.
The Interior Department will direct solar power development to land it has identified as having fewer wildlife and natural-resource obstacles and that is near power lines. The plan replaces the department’s previous first-come, first-served system of approving solar projects. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said the effort will help the U.S. stay competitive.
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