Give a little, but get a lot

In addition to opposing a statewide gross receipts tax, respondents to a Carson City Chamber of Commerce survey had some interesting views on the state of taxation in Nevada -- or, more particularly, where it may be headed.

It's no suprise most business people (68 percent) would oppose a gross receipts tax, which has a basic flaw in that it makes no distinction between high-margin and low-margin businesses. An alternative -- a tax on net income -- would probably be even less palatable, however.

But Carson City businesspeople who responded to the survey did actually support some tax proposals.

-- Fifty-three percent supported establishment of a $100 annual business license fee, compared with 36 percent who would oppose it. (The rest were unsure.)

-- By 50 percent to 40 percent, the survey found support for a tax on the price of such "non-participatory" activities as movies, videos and concerts. (They opposed 46-43 percent a tax on "participatory" amusements such as golf, bowling and skiing.)

-- Fifty-nine percent supported an increase in room taxes with the money dedicated to state revenue.

-- Although 47 percent said they would support no increase in the $100-per-employee business activity tax, there was support for varying degrees of increases: 2 percent for an increase to $300; 12 percent for $200; 9 percent for $150; and 27 percent for $125.

-- Sixty-five percent supported an increase in state gaming taxes.

-- Sixty-eight percent supported a state lottery.

On the other end of the spectrum, 62 percent said they were against extending the sales tax onto services.

One message from the results may be encouraging to legislators, in that there apparently is some willingness among the business community to withstand tax increases in limited scope. Lawmakers arguing for more revenue could also focus on the 47- to 36-percent majority who said they don't believe the state can supply the education, social, safety and medical needs of residents without additional revenues.

Yet the strongest message in the entire survey was this: "Do you believe that state government is operating efficiently and cost effectively?" Seventy-eight percent said no, compared with only 8 percent who said yes.

That fairly accurately, in our opinion, sums up the views of many Nevadans. They're willing to give a little, but they still think the state has a long way to go in putting its own house in order.