Nevadans weigh in on budget woes via Web site

By Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press Writer

Carson City, NV(AP) — Nevadans are wasting no time taking advantage of a new Web-based suggestion box for lawmakers — proposing that prostitution be taxed or a state lottery be established or other steps to help erase a revenue shortfall.

The ideas have been pouring in since June and lawmakers who convened their 2009 session on Monday already had about 1,200 suggestions.

"The suggestions have been great. I mean everything from a lottery to 'Let's change this one line in the statute, because you have two classes of businesses being treated differently,'" said Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, who backed the virtual suggestion box.

"We're facing such serious challenges, and I think as a state we need to develop solutions together that make sense," she said.

As the suggestions roll in, legislative staffers are reading and compiling them and producing a report every two weeks that is available to all. The report doesn't name those who made the suggestions.

One writer suggested a state income tax to pay for education, saying that the burden shouldn't fall just on property owners.

Another suggested that the state should set up a toll-free number to report unregistered vehicles, arguing that the revenue from registration fees could bring millions of dollars into the state treasury.

Others spoke out against the state's overall tax structure.

"The antiquated tax structure of the state of Nevada must be changed," wrote one person. "We can no longer allow gaming, mining and large corporations to have a free ride."

One writer suggested alternatives to a 6 percent pay reduction for state workers, such as reducing purchases of new furniture and computers. Several suggested the option of a 4-day, 10-hours-a-day workweek for government workers, and closing nonessential offices on Fridays to save money on utility bills.

"The suggestions have been great, and our revenue and taxation committee are going to take some of them up," Buckley said.

The new Web site feature is one of several ways Nevadans can weigh in on the decisions made by lawmakers. The Legislative Building is open to the public, so that anyone affected by proposals can attend meetings and speak up.

There's also a legislative hot line that constituents can call to find out meeting schedules. Many hearings are also broadcast live on the Web site of the Legislature.

"It's a great way for the public to get involved," said Assembly majority floor leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas. "We saw some good ideas that we didn't know about."

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On the Net: www.leg.state.nv.us