PACs pushing Washoe County tax hike for schools raises $866K

(AP) — Two political action committees have raised nearly $900,000 for a campaign to persuade Washoe County voters to raise local sales taxes this fall to finance improvements in the county's overcrowded school system.

Only 10 states charge more in combined sales taxes, according to the nonpartisan research group Tax Foundation.

There is no organized opposition to the tax hike, but over the past 12 years, Washoe County voters have rejected every school funding measure put before them.

"The funding is one indicator (of support), but every business group, community group and elected official is on the same page," said Mike Kazmierski, president and CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

For elementary schools, that means storage rooms turned into classrooms, two classes of students crammed into the same room and eventually year-round classes.