Nevada teachers union asks state to raise casino taxes

The CCEA is calling for gaming tax to be raised to 9.75 per cent and sales tax to 9.875 per cent.

US.- A teachers’ union in Nevada has asked the state to raise the gaming tax and sales tax in order to provide more funds for education.

The Clark County Education Association (CCEA) is calling for Nevada to raise the state gaming tax rise from 6.75 per cent to 9.75 per cent and the sales tax from 8.375 per cent to 9.875 per cent.

It has gathered nearly 200,000 signatures on a petition, double the amount required to get its proposal on the 2021 state legislature session.

The CCEA’s executive director, John Vellardita, said: “You need to put the resources in the system and the price tag on the resources from three different studies in a billion dollars more each year.

“It’s up to the governor and lawmakers in the 2021 session to address the economy, to address finding more revenue, not cuts from our perspective.”

But officials in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce say the request could not have come at a worse time.

President and CEO Mary, Beth Sewald, said: “Increasing Nevada’s sales tax during COVID-19 would absolutely hurt families and cost jobs.

“It would put our state in a position that is not competitive when it comes to people wanting to buy goods in Nevada.”

If lawmakers fail to take action or reject the proposal, the initiative will be put to voters on the 2022 ballot.