Opponents of Las Vegas Raiders Stadium to Protest the Nevada Legislature Special Session
On Monday, October 10, 2016, a group of concerned Nevada citizens will protest the special session called by Nevada’s Republican Governor, Brian Sandoval, to approve raising $750 million in room tax revenue to subsidize a stadium for the NFL's Raider's.
According to the article “Governor Call Special Session for Monday,” published in the Reno Gazette Journal, dated October 5, 2016, the proposed amount of $750,000,000 is the largest amount ever put forth for consideration by taxpayers in the history of the publicly funded stadiums.
This protest is being organized by concerned citizens of Nevada that believe any tax increase should be used to fund Nevada’s substandard education system and crumbling public infrastructure. According to the 2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book, published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), Nevada ranks second to last in education and “Nevada ranks 47th among the states in overall child well-being…”
(http://kidscount.unlv.edu/newsletters/July_2016KCNewsletter.pdf). The question is how can we seek taxpayer dollars to benefit the wealthy as our children struggle for a future.
However, proponents say that the revenue will benefit the community, but research has discredited this opinion repeatedly. According to Stanford Economist, Roger Noll, Stadiums do not pay off for the community that funds them; additionally, Noll says that professional sports can afford to pay for these stadiums themselves. He states, “But teams are businesses, and the additional profit to a team that is created by a new stadium is not worth the cost” (http://news.stanford.edu/2015/07/30/stadium-economics-noll-073015/). This is, of course, unless we as taxpayers fund it.
We remain committed to the fact that Sheldon Adelson and his fellow investors can pay for the stadium themselves. What is more, we will use our vote on November 8, 2016, to let our Nevada law makers know that we are indeed serious about not funding this stadium.
“Maybe the Governor could call a special session to fix our schools, instead of pandering to his billionaire donors.” Drew Knight, Independent for Congress
“The State of Nevada shouldn't wager $750 million on an NFL team. If the State feels like gambling, put the $750 million on education - it's a sure winner.” Andrew List, Esq.
“In a state with no income taxes like ours, it's important to understand that an increased room tax for a stadium ensures tourists spend less money on dining and gaming - activities which are taxed to fund our schools and public infrastructure. Under the proposed stadium plan, we don't get that money back if the stadium turns a profit - instead billionaire investors who are putting up less money than the public get to keep the money. This is a blatant giveaway to special interests and crony capitalists” — Michael A. Palzes, Esq., Co-Chair Washoe County Working Families Party.
Carson City Protest, 7:30 a.m. - Close of Session, 401 South Carson Street.
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