When does TA remove the Gas Surcharge?

RJ Letters to Editor

Dear Editor,

The Taxicab Authority, whose responsibility is to protect the interests of the general public, has once again proven that the only interests they are interested in protecting are those of the 16 existing cab companies. At the June meeting the TA Board approved a 25 cents per mile fuel surcharge on top of a 20 cents per mile permanent increase. Taxi fares went from $2.20 per mile to $2.65 per mile. At the time this was reasonable as gasoline was approaching $4.25 per gallon. In the order issued by the TA Board the TA Administrator, Mr. Gordon Walker, was given authority to remove the fuel surcharge if gasoline prices fell below $4.00 for 20 consecutive days. On or about July 28 the price of gasoline fell below $4.00 per gallon and has steadily fallen to where it is now at $3.50 per gallon. We are now at 60 days below $4.00 per gallon and Mr. Walker, at the request of the cab companies, has not yet removed the fuel surcharge.

Governor Gibbons has been adamant about no new taxes since taking office and during the current and ongoing state budget crisis.The Governor has vowed to veto any bill that raises taxes on businesses or individuals in these tough economic times. So where does the Governor stand on this ongoing fleecing of the public for the benefit of the existing cab companies? If the Governor has any integrity, he will fire Mr. Walker and appoint an administrator that will not bend over backwards to fulfill the wishes of the cab companies. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen, as 12 of the existing cab companies donated from $5,000 - $10,000 to the Governor’s 2006 election campaign. Will Gov. Gibbons look out for the interests of the public or his friends with deep pockets?

In light of the current state budget crisis, here’s a tax increase that I believe most Nevadans would approve of. How about raising the fees on taxi medallions? Currently the cab companies are practically given medallions at a fee of $100 per year all while being given exclusive rights to operate taxis protected from free market competition. In New York, the current market value of a taxi medallion is $500,000. The Las Vegas market is every bit as lucrative as the New York market. While funds are being cut for things like textbooks in our schools, the 16 existing cab companies are raking in millions, are protected from free market competition, and pay next to nothing for the privilege. It’s time for Las Vegas cab companies to start paying the fair. Change the laws so that fees on medallions are raised to $10,000 per year and allow individuals to own their taxis and I will be the first, in what will probably be a very long line, to apply for a medallion.

Bailian
Las Vegas, NV

Check my facts:
The TA Order concerning fuel surcharge http://www.taxi.state.nv.us/ORDERS/2008/2008-06-23 Taxicab Fuel Surcharge order

LV gas prices Retail Gasoline prices Las Vegas

Campaign contributions at Campaign Contributions to Jim Gibbons Nevada

HENDERSON TAXI
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 10/12/2006
DESERT CAB
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 12/02/2005
DESERT CAB
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 10/12/2006
CHECKER CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 09/06/2006
VEGAS-WESTERN CAB
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $10,000 06/30/2006
UNION CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $10,000 08/03/2005
NEVADA YELLOW CAB CORP
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $10,000 06/06/2005
A NLV CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $10,000 07/12/2006
ACE CAB
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $10,000 08/03/2005
NELLIS CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 10/12/2006
VIRGIN VALLEY CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 07/12/2006
WHITTLESEA BLUE CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 10/12/2006
WHITTLESEA BLUE CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 12/02/2005
STAR CAB CO
Miscellaneous Transport GIBBONS, JIM LAS VEGAS, NV $5,000 09/06/2006
NV statute regarding medallion fees: NRS 706.8826 Revenue of city and county received from taxes imposed on businesses operating taxicabs payable to State; fees payable to State by holder of certificate for allocated taxicab.
3. Any certificate holder who is subject to an order of allocation by the Taxicab Authority shall pay to the Taxicab Authority $100 per year for each taxicab that the Taxicab Authority has allocated to the certificate holder

This entry was posted on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 11:26 pm and is filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.