They’re at it Again!

They’re at it Again!

Click here to sign the petition.

By Dan Roberts

Dan Roberts is the Publisher of The Vegas Voice and was involved in the 2005 Property Tax Cap

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“Hell hath no fury and there is nothing more frightening than angry, retired seniors on a mission.”

That was my main theme when I testified before the Nevada Legislature in 2005. If you were (correctly) angry then, you’re going to go ballistic now!

But as President John Kennedy famously remarked: “Don’t get angry, get even.” Now is that time.

For regular readers of The Vegas Voice, you can understand why I am no longer involved in political issues. That job is now left to our political editor and legislative liaison Rana Goodman.

But despite my best attempts to get out, something (or in this case someone) always seems to “drag me back in.” This time, out of sheer anger, I am jumping in with both feet.

I received a telephone call and email from our former columnist Knight Allen. In essence, Knight “caught” our Nevada legislators attempting to circumvent the property tax cap implemented in 2005.

Enormous credit goes to Knight for discovering this underhanded attempt to circumvent and gut the property tax cap. And (unfortunately for me) Knight was able to get me all riled up over the ruse that is being attempted against homeowners.

My questions to all Vegas Voice readers (and property owners) are: Why aren’t you angry too? And most importantly, what are you going to do about it?

Allow me to quickly cut through the B.S. rhetoric and technicalities.

Assembly Bill 201 does not change the imposed 3% property tax cap. It does however provide for an automatic increase of the assessed value of your property by 1% per year – and every year thereafter for 10 years.

So when “they” say it is not a tax increase, they are “correct.” But it sure is misleading and the “result” is that you pay more every year for the next decade.

But as every Senator/Assembly person can truthfully say (how’s that for an oxymoron – a politician talking honestly) the extra money coming out of your pockets is not a tax increase.

What infuriates yours truly is the completely underhanded, hidden (yet cleaver) attempt to grab more money without calling it what it really is - a tax increase.

Personally, I would have had more admiration if “they” just came out and told the truth; but this “stealth” way of operating is simply a government CYA double-speak. It’s shameful.

Okay, so what do we do now? The obvious answer would be to follow through on Knight’s accompanying article. Let’s organize, protest and contact our respective Nevada legislative leaders and let them know that “we caught ‘em.”

While, of course, we should do that (and bring our pitch forks too) the truth of the matter is that most of us are too busy, or too lazy (or expect the other guy) to do that. To further compound the problem, there is no doubt that politicians equate constituents’ silence with acceptance.

Our suggestion is easy, effective and requires no heavy lifting. It will have an unbelievable, immediate impact on the Nevada Legislature; and, best yet – will only take homeowners (less than) 1 minute. Simply fill out the attached petition and mail/fax/email it to The Vegas Voice.

It will cost you no more than a stamp (or a local fax call) and for those individuals who are “on line” anyway - absolutely nothing.

The Vegas Voice will gladly do the rest. Ms. Goodman and yours truly intend to personally hand deliver the petitions to the appropriate Assembly/Senate committees as well as testify against Assembly Bill 201. Can you imagine if we bring stacks of petitions to the hearings?

Any homeowner who fails to take the time and “effort” to submit the petition deserves the adverse financial results. If you don’t stop the bureaucrats/politicians from taking your money, we have no doubt they will happily do so “for your own good.”

And the saddest part – it will be your own fault.

Take a few seconds and do your part. The Vegas Voice will, of course, keep you updated and stay on top of this issue.

Click here to sign the petition.