Alexis Hill proposes casino tax hike in Nevada
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate has said the state should reconsider its tax structure, including the rate applied to gaming operators.
US.- Alexis Hill, chair of the Washoe County Commission and a Democratic candidate for governor, has proposed raising taxes on Nevada’s casino industry. She has not suggested a specific rate increase, but argues that gaming companies should play a larger role in supporting state finances. Hill said any changes would be discussed with industry stakeholders.
Hill said she opposes increasing taxes on residents and instead believes the focus should be on industries that have benefited from Nevada’s existing tax framework. As such, she believes the state’s gaming tax rate of 6.75 per cent, the joint lowest in the country alongside Iowa, warrants review.
Harris also wants to increase taxes on residential properties owned by corporations, introduce a levy on commercial electric vehicles to help fund road maintenance and infrastructure projects, and and implement a capital gains excise tax targeting businesses.
At the same time, Hill said she would seek to ease the tax burden on Nevada-based companies by expanding access to incentives commonly used by large corporations. She also called for a pause on corporate tax abatements, questioning whether the incentives consistently generate the economic and employment benefits they are said to produce.
Focus on diversification and small business growth
Hill also proposes taking measures to reduce Nevada’s dependence on gaming and tourism by encouraging growth in other sectors. These could include expanding access to emergency financing for small businesses through the State Infrastructure Bank. She said strengthening local businesses was ket to diversifying the state’s economy.
She has proposed a requirement for companies that receive state-backed tax incentives or investment support to pay workers at least US$ 15 per hour. She stresses that this would affect larger companies while exempting small businesses.
