No GOP legislators take up education tax proponent’s invite

CARSON CITY — No Republicans took up state Sen. Justin Jones’ offer to show up in his office Wednesday and discuss how the two parties can reach agreement on a way to secure more money for public education.

“This is the most important issue we face,” said Jones, D-Las Vegas. “I will keep my office door open.”

He asked Republicans to meet with him and work on a compromise during the Tuesday floor debate when state Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, acknowledged he does not have the votes to pass tax increases during the session that ends June 3.

Jones initially spoke of holding a meeting at 10 p.m. Tuesday, but the Senate floor session ran late and he changed the meeting time to 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Jones said each day on the Senate floor he will ask Republicans and Democrats who want to talk to show up at his office.

Democrats have not been able to pass a $300 million tax plan to raise money for public education because they are four votes short of the two-thirds majority to pass taxes and to overcome a certain veto by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Republicans and Sandoval vowed last year that they would not support tax increases, other than continuing $649 million in business and sales taxes that were set to expire after June 30.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-587-3901.