CARSON CITY -- In their quest to find things to tax, a longtime legislative lobbyist suggested Tuesday that legislators look to singer Celine Dion's shows at Caesars Palace.
Nevada Taxpayers Association President Carole Vilardo told the Assembly Taxation Committee that tickets purchased for Dion's shows are exempt from the 10 percent casino entertainment tax.
There are 4,000 seats in the $95 million Colosseum theater built especially for Dion. Under state law, the casino entertainment tax is collected only at shows with a seating capacity of fewer than 2,750 patrons.
"Celine Dion is not a taxable entity under the current casino entertainment base," Vilardo said. "So we could pick up that revenue base."
Park Place spokesman Robert Stewart, contacted in Las Vegas, declined comment.
Vilardo made the comment about Dion as she discussed Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed 7.25 percent amusement tax, a tax originally projected to bring in $85 million a year.
But the tax proposal has come under fire from many sectors, particularly because initially it called for taxing bowling, video rentals and movie admissions, while exempting participatory activities such as golf and country and health club memberships.
Guinn since has proposed eliminating video rentals, while saying he could support adding golf. No amendments have been adopted.
Taxation Chairman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, did not take a vote on any tax proposal. Approval of tax bills probably will wait as legislative leaders work in private to try to hammer out a compromise that can win support of two-thirds of the members. The Legislature adjourns June 2.
Parks requested staff members give each legislator details on how the casino entertainment tax is levied.
Vilardo said if legislators have "angst about movies, bowling and pool halls," then it is within their power to exempt those activities.
Nonetheless, Vilardo called the tax "progressive" and worthy of consideration.
She suggested the committee consider taxing Dion's shows under the 7.25 percent amusement tax rate proposal, rather than at the 10 percent casino entertainment tax rate.
"It would not look (so much) like we are trying to gouge the tourists," she said.
Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, said she favors taxing participatory sporting activities.
"We can make a fortune taxing golf games," McClain said. "But some of these things I don't see as sporting or fun, such as aerobics or calisthenics."
Other members laughed.
Nevada Taxpayers Association President Carole Vilardo told the Assembly Taxation Committee that tickets purchased for Dion's shows are exempt from the 10 percent casino entertainment tax.
There are 4,000 seats in the $95 million Colosseum theater built especially for Dion. Under state law, the casino entertainment tax is collected only at shows with a seating capacity of fewer than 2,750 patrons.
"Celine Dion is not a taxable entity under the current casino entertainment base," Vilardo said. "So we could pick up that revenue base."
Park Place spokesman Robert Stewart, contacted in Las Vegas, declined comment.
Vilardo made the comment about Dion as she discussed Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed 7.25 percent amusement tax, a tax originally projected to bring in $85 million a year.
But the tax proposal has come under fire from many sectors, particularly because initially it called for taxing bowling, video rentals and movie admissions, while exempting participatory activities such as golf and country and health club memberships.
Guinn since has proposed eliminating video rentals, while saying he could support adding golf. No amendments have been adopted.
Taxation Chairman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, did not take a vote on any tax proposal. Approval of tax bills probably will wait as legislative leaders work in private to try to hammer out a compromise that can win support of two-thirds of the members. The Legislature adjourns June 2.
Parks requested staff members give each legislator details on how the casino entertainment tax is levied.
Vilardo said if legislators have "angst about movies, bowling and pool halls," then it is within their power to exempt those activities.
Nonetheless, Vilardo called the tax "progressive" and worthy of consideration.
She suggested the committee consider taxing Dion's shows under the 7.25 percent amusement tax rate proposal, rather than at the 10 percent casino entertainment tax rate.
"It would not look (so much) like we are trying to gouge the tourists," she said.
Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, said she favors taxing participatory sporting activities.
"We can make a fortune taxing golf games," McClain said. "But some of these things I don't see as sporting or fun, such as aerobics or calisthenics."
Other members laughed.
