Activists To Camp Out For Revenue At Legislature This Week
CARSON CITY — The Capitol grounds are expected to become a campground this week as progressive groups establish a temporary headquarters for a last ditch lobbying effort for tax increases.
As many as 200 students, social service workers, teachers and progressive activists plan to live in tents during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as they host events and lobby legislators.
The agenda could include events at both the Capitol and the Legislature, said Jan Gilbert, lobbyist for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, which has helped coordinate the event.
“We hope to change some of the legislators minds to increase the revenue base,” she said. “We know there need to be cuts, but also revenue.”
Students are again planning to bring buses from Las Vegas, as they did March 21 for a rally for revenue at the Legislature. Some say it was the largest rally ever held at the Legislature.
“We know that enough legislators are on the fence about supporting new revenue to help education that we can win the fight, but we cannot win it without direct action,” said Mike Flores of Progress NOW, another sponsor of the event, in an email.
Some Democrats said they plan to camp at the tent city to show their solidarity for tax increases.
Republicans were less receptive.
“It’s great to have people visit the capital and the only thing better than camping at the Legislature would be to stay in a motel and help the economy,” said Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City.
The overnight weather at the tent city looks grim: cold and wet.
“I’m a northerner. I’ve slept in colder,” said Assemblyman David Bobzien, D-Reno, who plans to spend one night at the tent city.