First, let me say I am for our youth and then our teachers. I believe good teachers are underpaid and we do need quality education and accountability, but this petition will not achieve those objectives - it will simply destroy Nevada.
Upon hearing what this 63-page petition contained, I obtained a copy of it to study. I could not believe that any group would think the public is stupid enough to fall for such outrageousness.
Reading Section 10-13 says to me they would be creating a mini-IRS for Nevada. Also, it states their records and files concerning the administration of this new department are confidential and privileged. Scary!
Section 17. "Any activity conducted for profit by a natural person shall be deemed a business." This means anyone with a business income from any source (that includes investments and rentals). Does this not overturn the ban on personal income tax that we voted for? Also, what happens to the State of Nevada when people start cashing in state bonds to prevent paying this extra tax? Most of those bonds are now used for schools.
In Section 18, Imposition and payment of tax, number 1: A tax is hereby imposed upon the privilege of doing business in this state; number 2: a tax of 4 percent of its Nevada taxable income for the year. There is an exception for small business, the tax only paid on income over $50,000 per year. But the provisions in Section 53 of the petition virtually guarantee that every business will ultimately pay more taxes.
As for the accountability part of this act, it is a joke - nowhere is there true accountability for teachers. They do say it is critical to increase parental involvement in the public schools so as to promote the value of education and foster good learning skills in children. I agree with this statement and also some of the things they say need changing but they are going about it the wrong way. They will make Nevada the worst school system in the country, not the best.
These sections of the Nevada Tax Fairness and Quality School Funding Accountability Act are just a few examples of why signing the petition would cause the State of Nevada to forever change for the worse.
By the way, if it is true that wallet-sized, fold-over cards are being distributed by teachers to students to take home saying, "It's simple. It's fair. It's time." then I believe it is wrong to use the children to promote the agenda of the teachers union. Who gave them the right to decide what is best for all of us?
Please, do your own thinking, acquire a copy of this act and study it. I have only given you a brief look at some of this petition. Once you do study it, I am sure you will not sign and you will inform your friends about it.
SHERRY DILLEY
Minden
