Lobbyists back latest plan

Business lobbyists joined those trying to convince the holdout Assembly Republicans to support a tax package Saturday night.

Chamber lobbyist Sam McMullen said the plan is based on a payroll tax and includes a franchise tax for banks based on gross wages that would be triple what other industries in the state pay. Businesses that provide health insurance for their workers would get a reduced rate.

But to get the deal, he said the Democrats and others want them to accept a higher total dollar amount than $704 million.

As many as 20 business lobbyists met with the GOP caucus for more than 90 minutes.

The Assembly met at 11 p.m., advising the GOP members they wanted to pass the bill financing public education and modifying some of the taxes in the original SB6.

Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said the idea was to make the corrections needed in the taxes that have already been passed and to fund education -- then to pass the original Senate tax package.

The final version would change the payroll tax to a modified business tax that considers gross wages of the business. It would also have a 3 percent bank franchise tax, a 1 percent state room tax, increased gaming, cigarette and liquor taxes. It also includes a real estate transfer tax and entertainment tax. Several elements of that plan are opposed by the business lobbyists.

It raises more than $800 million over the next two years.

"we need to end this legislative session and fulfill our duty to schools," said Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas.

The debate was still in progress at press time.