LAS VEGAS (AP) – Voters in Nevada are having their say Tuesday on ballot questions aimed at tightening background checks for gun buyers and legalizing marijuana for recreational users – the two measures that have drawn the most money and attention in the run-up to Election Day.
But they also face proposals to break up power producer NV Energy’s exclusive statewide monopoly, and to exempt medical devices like oxygen tanks, feeding pumps, and hospital beds from being taxed. Each of those votes is a first in a two-step process. If approved, the measures would have to pass again in 2018 to amend the state constitution.
In and around Las Vegas, voters are deciding whether to extend for 10 years a program that ties fuel taxes to the rate of inflation and funnels the money into road and transportation projects in Clark County. That measure is Question 5.
The background checks initiative, Question 1, has sparked the most debate between backers who say a legal loophole lets people skip background screening when buying guns from another person or online, and opponents who say it would cost law-abiding gun owners time and money without making them any safer.
Opponents have financial backing from the National Rifle Association, and have spent more than $2.3 million airing 2,000 ads. They call the measure a threat to Second Amendment gun rights that would cost law-abiding gun owners time and money without making anyone safer because criminals just don’t get background checks.
They’ve got support from Gov. Brian Sandoval, state Attorney General Adam Laxalt and 16 of the state’s 17 elected county sheriffs have come out against the background checks measure.
Proponents are supported by the national group Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, an organization supported by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. They’ve spent almost $5 million airing more than 5,400 TV ads, the Center for Public Integrity found.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson is the most prominent current elected official to come out for the measure, along with former sheriffs in Las Vegas and Reno, the Las Vegas Fraternal Order of Police and the Nevada Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, teacher and union groups, and several casino industry executives.
In all, about $10 million was spent as of Oct. 31 on television advertising on the gun buyer background check, marijuana and electric utility deregulation measures, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity.
The center analyzed data about political advertising on broadcast television from Kantar Media/CMAG, a firm that monitors 211 media markets around the country and offers a widely accepted estimate of the money spent to air ads. Estimates don’t include radio, online, direct mail or local cable TV advertising.
More than half the $1.3 million spent on TV advertising on the marijuana initiative, Question 2, came from the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, with backing from a group that supports legalization campaigns across the country.
The law would allow possession and use by adults of up to an ounce of marijuana and impose a 15 percent excise tax on marijuana sales, with revenue earmarked for education. Businesses that have medical marijuana certification would be the first to be eligible for licenses.
Proponents say legalizing pot could generate $20 million a year in tax money for Nevada schools.
Opponents, including Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, billionaire casino magnate and newspaper owner Sheldon Adelson and many of the state’s top elected Republicans call legalization a threat to Nevada children.
Question 3, dubbed the Energy Choice Initiative, has financial support from Adelson’s company, Las Vegas Sands, and data center company Switch, among other backers.
Large companies including Sands have sought to leave NV Energy and find their own electricity providers, but face high exit fees imposed by regulators to soften the effect of their departure on the remaining customer base.
Opponents, backed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Nevada State AFL-CIO, say deregulation in other states has led to higher electricity prices for consumers and more market volatility. They argue that Nevadans pay less for electricity than ratepayers in neighboring California and most of the rest of the country.
Question 4, the medical device initiative, is similar to a proposal that failed in the Legislature last year which state analysts said would have cost the state $25 million in tax revenue over 10 years.
Supporters say revoking the tax on equipment like wheelchairs, infant sleep apnea monitors and crutches would benefit vulnerable and sick patients and have little effect on the state budget.
Opponents say the measure is vaguely worded and amounts to a giveaway to equipment providers at the expense of funding for school, police, fire and other public services.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
