Las Vegas NowGibbons Vetoes 4 Bills, Including Gas Tax Plan

Gibbons Vetoes 4 Bills, Including Gas Tax Plan

As promised, Gov. Jim Gibbons on Thursday vetoed a measure that would authorize the Washoe County Commission to enact a voter-approved gas tax increase to raise money to finance transportation projects.

The governor said he was vetoing SB201 because the advisory question approved by Reno-area voters lacked "a clear and concise statement that the state legislation being sought would come in the form of a fuel tax increase."

Gibbons also vetoed AB480, increasing fees collected by the state's water engineer, saying he wasn't aware of "any significant support by industry" for the fees. He added that higher fees during tough economic times "just does not make economic sense."

Also rejected by Gibbons was AB257, which would make it a crime for someone to take more than 10 copies of a free publication. The governor said police have more important things to do.

The governor also vetoed AB122, which would expand authority of the state Office for Consumer Health Assistance. Gibbons said he had proposed eliminating the office because it duplicates other government services.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)