This week we have a chance to put a new face on the state’s budget crisis.

We’ve heard about the cuts many times, but rarely do we talk about the other side of the issue — the revenue.

And with foreign-owned mining corporations taking more than $6 billion of gold from Nevada last year and paying practically nothing for it — it’s time to re-examine whether that industry is paying its fair share.

This week there are two great chances to learn more about mining, its taxes and its numerous deductions.

On Tuesday, the Senate Revenue Committee will meet at 1 p.m. to discuss SB 493 – a bill that would create a Mining Commission to conduct tax and environmental oversight of the industry – and SJR 15 to end mining’s sweetheart tax loopholes by completely eliminating the mining tax section from the Nevada Constitution.

The meeting itself takes place in the Legislative Building in Carson City. It will be teleconferenced to the Grant Sawyer Building in Las Vegas (555 Washington Ave.). Public testimony can be given via this teleconference.

If you’re in Southern Nevada and will be going to the Sawyer Building, please sign up at our coalition partner’s Facebook event page.

On Thursday, the Assembly Taxation Committee will meet at 8 a.m. to discuss AB428 — a bill to eliminate the tax deductions mining uses to avoid paying taxes. That meeting will also take place in Carson City and be teleconferenced to the Sawyer Building. Please sign up to attend that hearing on our coalition partner’s Facebook event page.