• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Blog Home
  • Topics
    • Keystone Press Releases
    • Politics and Government
    • Legislation
    • Nevada News
    • Tourism & Gaming
    • Rural Nevada
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • About Keystone Nevada

Keystone Nevada Korner

Welcome to The Keystone Korner The Official Blog of Keystone Nevada

Home » Nevada Supreme Court Rules Tax Bills Unconstitutional

Nevada Supreme Court Rules Tax Bills Unconstitutional

May 15, 2021 by Press Release

In a unanimous decision today, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled against Democrat legislators, stating that their two tax bills passed during the 2019 Legislative session were unconstitutional, violating Article 4, Section 18(2) of the Nevada Constitution which requires the agreement of at least two-thirds of the members of each house of the Nevada Legislature to pass any bill “which creates, generates, or increases any public revenue in any form, including but not limited to taxes, fees, assessments and rates, or changes in the computation bases for taxes, fees, assessments and rates.”

In 2019, the Republican legislators opposed two tax bills on the grounds that the Democrat legislators did not have the supermajority votes required to increase revenue through taxation. Democratic legislators proposed a bill that would allow the Department of Taxation to collect an estimated $98.2 million in payroll taxes during the following biennium. After the Senate fell one vote short of a supermajority, the bill was reconsidered and ultimately passed with less than a supermajority.

The Republican legislators who opposed the bill brought suit asking the district court to invalidate the bills for failure to obtain the necessary supermajority. After a hearing, the district court’s final order found both bills generated revenue and therefore were subject to the state constitution’s supermajority provision. The district court reasoned that, “[b]ut for” the bills, the State would not have realized an additional approximate $14 million through the extended DMV fee and $98.2 million after removing the reduced computation rates under the MBT.” As to the MBT bill, the district court invalidated those sections subject to a supermajority vote and invalidated the DMV tax bill.

In its decision, the Nevada Supreme Court wrote that “based on the plain language of the supermajority provision, we conclude that it applies to the subject bills because they create, generate, or increase public revenue. Because the bills did not pass by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, those portions of the bills that would require a supermajority vote are unconstitutional.”

This seminal State Supreme Court decision is a victory for all Nevadans who support economic prosperity. It’s also a win for those who believe that the wording in our Constitution means exactly what it says and isn’t subject to loose interpretations for political convenience. Keystone Corporation is proud to have supported this lawsuit in defense of all businesses and Nevada citizens who see the Constitution as a safeguard of their individual rights. Keystone Corporation congratulates the Republican legislators, their counsel and staff for their relentless pursuit of justice.

For more information, contact us here.

Filed Under: Business, Keystone Press Releases, Legislation, Nevada News Tagged With: 2019, Keystone Corporation, Legislation, Nevada Constitution, Nevada Supreme Court, Press Release, Taxation

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Bootleg Bistro
Bootleg Bistro Ad
SLLC_Keystone_Blog-Ad_300x500_10%-Off-Repairs_05.19.21
CIOServices Ad 300x500-100
BRH Keystone Ad JPEG
Willow_Manor
Keystone Corporation Nevada

News Topics

  • Keystone Press Releases
  • Politics and Government
  • Legislation
  • Nevada News
  • Tourism & Gaming
  • Rural Nevada
  • Business
  • Opinion

Rural Nevada

UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

March 19, 2023 By Courtney Holland

Staff Reports for The Record Courier, March 17, 2023 United Parcel Service plans to build a new 168,000 square foot building in Douglas County, … [Read More...] about UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

February 12, 2023 By Pauline Lee

by Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette-Journal, February 9, 2023 Redwood Materials just secured a commitment from the federal government for a $2 billion … [Read More...] about Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

LETTER: Voting by conscience or from pocketbook?

January 31, 2023 By vrobison

Not everyone enjoys or is interested in politics, but given the number of retirees in the Moapa and Virgin Valleys, I would imagine there is … [Read More...] about LETTER: Voting by conscience or from pocketbook?

Amodei picked as chair for appropriations subcommittee

January 29, 2023 By The Ely Times

Nevada Representative Mark Amodei was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on the U.S. House Committee on … [Read More...] about Amodei picked as chair for appropriations subcommittee

Opinion

Hypocrite Biden blocks mineral mining his clean-energy goals require

March 24, 2023 By Pauline Lee

by Carrie Sheffield, New York Post, March 22, 2023 President Joe Biden claims he wants America to lead in “clean energy” production, but he’s again … [Read More...] about Hypocrite Biden blocks mineral mining his clean-energy goals require

OPINION: The ‘Green Amendment’ is well-intended — but that’s not enough

March 19, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By David Colborne, The Nevada Independent, March 19th, 2023 Supporters of AJR3, also known as the “Green Amendment,” want to protect Nevada’s … [Read More...] about OPINION: The ‘Green Amendment’ is well-intended — but that’s not enough

EDITORIAL: Property tax bill deserves a quick trip to the shredder

March 16, 2023 By Courtney Holland

Neal bill would drop the cap, impose a floor. By Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial Board, March 15, 2023 The benefit of competitive political … [Read More...] about EDITORIAL: Property tax bill deserves a quick trip to the shredder

Tags

Adam Laxalt am post Build Back Better Business Business Columns Casinos & Gaming Catherine Cortez Masto Clark County Clark County School District Conventions COVID Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) Editorials Education employment Gov. Joe Lombardo Gov. Steve Sisolak Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) Housing inflation Inside Gaming Joe Lombardo Local Local Las Vegas Local Nevada lvcva mc-business mc-local mc-news mc-opinion mc-sports Nevada News NPRI Opinion Opinion Columns PAID pandemic Politics and Government Real Estate Insider Roe v. Wade Sports The Strip tourism Victor Joecks

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Keystone Corporation - All Rights Reserved · Log in
Privacy Policy
By accessing this site, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use

The views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the authors of any article or post on the Keystone Korner are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members. Moreover, any reference to a person, party, product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members.