Nevada Property Tax Reform Initiative Filed and Ready to Collect Signatures

Sharron Angle, Chair of We the People Nevada states, "After minor changes to the summary, the essence of the petition remains unchanged - stable, predictable property taxes." 

Former State Legislators, Sharron Angle and Don Gustavson, and Dr. Tom Morris, treasurer for We the People Nevada, will file the Nevada Property Tax Restraint Initiative at 1:00pm on Friday February 22, 2008 at the Secretary of State's office in Carson City, Nevada.  

They were met with strong opposition from the AFL-CIO in a lawsuit contesting the Description of Effect, a 200 word summary attached to the petition.    We the People Nevada's Attorney, Joel Hansen, addressed the union complaints, made the suggested changes, and offered an amended initiative to the union attorneys for their legitimate changes. The union responded with another lawsuit against the amended version of the initiative on December 18, 2007. 

"These lawsuits represent stall tactics designed to prevent signature gathering, thus wasting our time and money and jeopardizing We the People Nevada’s effort to help protect thousands of Nevada taxpayers from having their property confiscated due to excessive taxation. We now have less than three months to collect the needed signature," said Don Gustavson, Vice Chair and Secretary for We the People Nevada.  

Judge Todd Russell, First District Court, ordered the AFL-CIO to submit agreeable language regarding the "Description of Effect".    Judge Russell signed the order today just before the December 18 initiative was withdrawn and the subsequent initiative was filed at 1:00pm.   In addition to the withdrawal requirement, the union stipulated that they would not file another lawsuit against the 1:00pm initiative filing.   "After minor changes to a summary, the essence of the petition remains unchanged - stable, predictable property taxes." said Sharron Angle, Chair of We the People Nevada. .  The group has until May 20 to collect nearly 60,000 signatures statewide.   "It is ambitious but not impossible," said Ms. Angle.   

"A goal has been set for 1000 signatures per day," added Gustavson.  "We have committed volunteers and are negotiating with paid signature gathers to complete the task."

"Our funding remains steady.  So far we have raised well over $100,000 but we will need about $250,000 if we must pay for all the necessary signatures," said Dr. Tom Morris, treasurer for We the People Nevada.  

PLEASE MAKE AS MANY DOUBLE-SIDED COPIES OF THIS PETITION AS YOU LIKE!    MAKE SURE ALL YOUR FRIENDS SIGN THE PETITION AND HAVE COPIES TO CIRCULATE.

HOW TO GATHER SIGNATURES

APPROACH WITH THIS STATEMENT:  

• “WOULD YOU LIKE TO SIGN A PETITION FOR A NEVADA “PROP 13?”   
• ARE YOU A REGISTERED VOTER IN NEVADA?  
• WHAT COUNTY ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN?

1. ALL SIGNATURES ON EACH PETITION COPY MUST BE FROM THE SAME COUNTY – USE ANOTHER COPY FOR EACH DIFFERENT COUNTY.
2. MAKE SURE THEY PRINT THEIR FIRST NAME FIRST AND THEN THE LAST NAME – THIS MUST BE READABLE FOR COUNTY CLERKS
3. MUST HAVE PHYSICAL ADDRESS  AND COUNTY WHERE THEY ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE
4. MUST SIGN BELOW THEIR PRINTED NAME AND DATE
5. GET FREE NOTARIZATION AT COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE
6. MAIL ASAP  TO: WE THE PEOPLE NEVADA PO BOX 33331 RENO, NV 89533

 We the People Nevada is a political 527 PAC with recognized spokespeople, former State Legislators Sharron Angle, Don Gustavson and Dr. Tom Morris, on the board of directors.  We have a committed group of volunteers to do mailings and collect signatures.  No one takes a salary!  Every donated dollar goes to the petition effort.

Experience has taught us that it will take significant funding ($400,000) for a comprehensive campaign to be successful. 

• $267,400 is our latest cost quote for gathering the 58,627 plus 50% more signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.   Every volunteer signature reduces this amount.   We must collect 10,000 signatures per week until the May 20 deadline to reach our goal.
• At least $25,000 more is needed for attorney fees for court challenges that will likely go all the way to the Nevada Supreme Court.   The union has been defeated once but they or another like them may challenge the petition language after we file the signatures.
• Finally, at least $107,000 for an educational media campaign: radio, TV, direct mail etc.

We have credit card capability to help you and your friends with on-line donations and downloading the petition.   We have collected over $100,000 but I need your help.   You may send a check to “We the People Nevada” for $250, $100, $50 or whatever you can afford at PO Box 33331 Reno, NV 89533.   $19.95 will pay a professional to collect 7 signatures or one petition. 

DOWNLOAD THE PETITION