Bill Bible

Nevada Resort Association boss Bill Bible sent a missive to University Regent Ron Knecht in response to his idiotic comments about casino workers.

Knecht suggested on camera that casino workers generally don't need to be well-educated.  Bible sent a letter defending the industry and questioning Knecht's judgement. 

Lobbyists swiftly thwarted an effort by state senators to cancel tax rebates given to the gaming industry on Friday, according to reports by the Las Vegas Sun and the Reno Gazette-Journal.

At issue was a Nevada Supreme Court decision that stated Casinos did not have to pay tax on free meals for their employees or comped meals for guests, which led to casinos filing requests for refunds that could reach over $100 million. The legislation introduced yesterday would have clarified the definition of a meal for tax purposes, preventing them from collecting a rebate.

When word got out about the bill, and its "unanimous" support, they descended on the offices capital, according to the Sun. Despite the visible presence of lobbyists, many lawmakers did not acknowledge any impact they might have had on the Republican majority's decision not to consider the bill and Governor Gibbon's public statement retracting his support for it.

Nevada Resort Association executive director Bill Bible says the teachers' union initiative to increase gaming taxes by 44% could threaten the gambling industry in northern Nevada and rural counties, where profit margins are small.

The proposed tax hike would affect casinos that have gross revenue of more than $1 million a month.  Bible says that this would include most casinos in Carson City, Douglas County and Washoe County.