Daily Update- September 24, 2020 Judge Ruling on Tax Issues

Earlier this week, Carson City District Court Judge James Russell issued a ruling from the bench, saying that state lawmakers had violated the constitutional two-thirds vote requirement for tax increases in passing two bills during the last session that extended tax rates or fees that were set to expire. The taxes included a higher payroll tax and a $1 per transaction “Technology Fee” for the Department of Motor Vehicles. He noted that extending a tax rate that was set to expire met the need for a 2/3 vote of the Legislature. As part of the ruling, the State is required to pay back revenue that was generated due to the higher rate, but this could be delayed as the issue is likely headed to the Supreme Court. The hearing stemmed from conflict regarding SB551 and SB542 from the 2019 legislative session. 

Background and more information on the ruling:

Judge sides with state Senate GOP in lawsuit challenging extended payroll, DMV taxes (NV Indy)

Senate Republicans file lawsuit challenging payroll tax extension pushed through by Democrats without two-thirds support (NV Indy)

Nevada Democrats to Appeal Ruling in $100M Taxation Case (Las Vegas Sun)

Federal Updates

Gov. Sisolak blasts VP Mike Pence’s ‘election year’ comment on Trump rally- 3 News LV

Cortez Masto Prompts Secretary Mnuchin to Commit to Bipartisan Comprehensive COVID-19 Relief

Cortez Masto, Durbin Introduce Bill to Protect Unemployed Workers’ Health Insurance During Pandemic

Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Combat Administration’s Politics-Before-Science Response to COVID-19

Rosen Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Stop Administration’s Political Interference in COVID-19 Response

Rosen, Hyde-Smith Introduce Bipartisan Jobs Bill to Support Mid-Career Workers Re-Entering or Transitioning to STEM Workforce, Close the Gender and Skills Gap in STEM

Congressman Horsford Delivers Floor Speech Urging Congress Pass the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act

Congressman Steven Horsford Votes to Pass Bipartisan Bill to Fund the Federal Government

Rep. Lee, Southern Nevada Education Experts Host Facebook Live on State of Distance Education in Communities of Color, Rural Communities

House Passes Clean Energy Reform, Including Rep. Lee’s Provision to Support Residential Clean Energy Systems

Agency and Local Government Updates

Food Handler Safety Training Card services will resume at Health District locations

Attorney General Ford, 48 States Announce $60 Million Settlement With C.R. Bard for Deceptive Marketing of Surgical Mesh Devices

Homeowner Assistance Portal Launched to Assist Nevada Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

Nevada Driver’s License/ID Card Renewals Now Available Online

Three Nevada Schools Recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools

Governor Sisolak and Superintendent Ebert Honor 2021 Nevada Teacher of the Year L. Juliana Urtubey During Surprise Virtual Ceremony

McCarran Reports 1.7 Million Passengers in August

Clark County- DISTRICT COURT RESUMES JURY TRIALS WITH EXTENSIVE SAFETY PLAN TO PROTECT JURORS

September 23, 2020 Reno City Council Highlights

Washoe County ballots to be mailed October 2 

Articles of Interest

New report indicates undocumented Nevadans struggle to access resources or support amid pandemic; advocate says they ‘suffered in silence’ (NV Indy)

Indy Environment: The Nevada Supreme Court ruled against reshuffling water rights to fix environmental issues. Walker Lake advocates still see a path forward (NV Indy)

‘Hero, icon, trailblazer’ — Nevada justices grateful for Ginsburg (LVRJ)

Casinos to be fined $435K for violating policies, COVID health regulations (LVRJ)


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *