Question 3 on election night last week addressed the so-called “margins tax,” which would have imposed a 2 percent tax on the revenue of Nevada businesses grossing more than $1 million annually, with the proceeds going to school funds. It failed. Rather spectacularly. And while no one argues that our public school system is tip-top, Question 3 is just one in a series of failed initiatives to generate more money for education.
2011
A Democratic proposal to create a new “margins tax” on businesses earmarked for education fails in the Legislature.
Nevada education ranking: 45
2012
A Clark County School District proposal to fund needed renovations by temporarily raising property taxes 21 cents per $100 in assessed value is rejected by voters. It’s the first time such a proposal has failed in decades.
Nevada education ranking: 50
2013
The Nevada Legislature takes no action on the teachers union’s “Education Initiative,” which proposes a 2 percent margins tax, kicking it to voters in 2014.
Nevada education ranking: 48
2014
The margins tax appears as Question 3 on Nevada ballots—and fails 21 percent to 79 percent.
Nevada education ranking: 50
