Mining doesn’t pay its fair share

A second mining bill that would have resulted in a $60 million addition in state revenue was stopped by one vote. The bill would have brought mining taxation to a more equitable level, given its vast profits from Nevada’s natural resources.

A third bill, a last-minute compromise, also failed in the special session. The session was special for the mining industry; it served international corporations rather than local needs.

Many legislators advance the notion that there should be no new taxes, which is a blessing for the mining industry. It’s obvious that many of the already hard-pressed economic drivers of Nevada are not candidates for new taxes. But there are under-taxed areas that should be contributing to Nevada’s economic health. Mining is one such area.

Most Nevada politicians receive generous campaign contributions from the mining industry. I would hate to think that our representatives are more interested in preserving the profits of international corporations than serving the economic well-being of Nevada.