CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Critics of Nevada's mining industry are calling on lawmakers to pass a measure removing constitutional protections the industry has been afforded since statehood.
About 50 protested outside the Legislature Building on Thursday to urge approval of SJR15. The proposed constitutional amendment would abolish the limits on net proceeds taxes paid on minerals and allow the Legislature to consider tax rate changes.
First approved by the 2011 Legislature, the measure must be approved again to send it to voters in 2014.
The protest organized by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada used a Valentine's Day theme, urging Nevada's "divorce" from the mining industry.
Mining representatives counter that while net proceed taxes are capped by the constitution, the industry pays other levies, such as sales and payroll taxes, that other businesses pay.
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