Las Vegas NowKey Nevada senators won't vote on tax plan
Associated Press - May 20, 2009 11:25 PM ET
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Two key Republican state senators, whose votes are considered essential to pass a $781 million tax measure and then override GOP Gov. Jim Gibbons' expected veto, said Wednesday they're abstaining to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said he doesn't have a conflict of interest but was advised by the Legislature's chief legal adviser to be cautious in the tax matter. While Raggio said he supports the tax package, he figured it would be best to not vote.
Besides Raggio, state Sen. Warren Hardy, R-Las Vegas, said he will abstain from voting on the tax plan, also to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
The announcements threatened the tax plan, needed to help plug a $1.1 billion hole in a nearly $7 billion state budget for the next two fiscal years, that is being worked out by Assembly and Senate Democratic and Republican leaders as the 2009 session nears adjournment.
The plan, SB429, requires a two-thirds vote to win approval and to survive a veto. The 12 Senate Democrats need two Republicans to assure that necessary two-thirds vote.
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