Washoe County Commission Chair Alexis Hill, a Democratic candidate for governor, is advocating for higher taxes on Nevada’s casino industry, arguing that gaming companies should contribute more to the state.
Hill Wants Higher Taxes for Casinos
As the governorial race for Nevada is heating up, Hill presented her vision for the future of the state’s tax policy. Hill said she opposes raising taxes on everyday Nevadans. Instead, she contends that Nevada casinos, which she says benefit from the lowest gaming tax rate in the US, should shoulder a greater share of the tax burden.
Hill argues that Nevada’s tax structure is outdated and disproportionately benefits wealthy interests at the expense of working families. Her tax reform proposal would increase tax rates on corporate-owned residential properties, impose taxes on commercial electric vehicles to help fund road infrastructure improvements, and establish a capital gains excise tax on corporations.
At the same time, Hill says she wants to lower taxes for Nevada-based businesses and extend to them the same tax exemptions currently available to large corporations. She also supports increasing Nevada’s gaming tax rate, which stands at 6.75% and is the lowest in the nation. While she has not proposed a specific rate increase, Hill said she would work with gaming companies to explore potential changes.
In addition, Hill would suspend corporate tax abatements, arguing that their effectiveness in creating jobs remains questionable. Although she supports efforts to expand employment opportunities for Nevadans, she believes tax incentives should be more closely scrutinized to ensure they deliver meaningful economic benefits.
Just One Point of Hill’s Vision for Nevada
Hill’s suggestions for a new tax policy are just a part of her broader ideas of revamping the state’s economy. She has stated that she wants to diversify Nevada’s economy beyond its heavy reliance on the gaming and hospitality sectors, while strengthening support for small businesses. As part of that effort, she proposes expanding access to emergency loans for small businesses through the State Infrastructure Bank.
Hill also plans to issue an executive order requiring corporations that receive tax abatements or other forms of state investment to pay employees at least $15 per hour. The candidate has stressed that this wage requirement would not apply to small businesses. Currently, state law allows companies to qualify for full or partial tax abatement packages based on how their wages compare with the statewide average.
In other news from Nevada, which is also related to taxes, a potential $1 billion trial could happen next year as major online booking sites allegedly underpaid taxes owed to the state.