A major Las Vegas labor union has rescinded their endorsement of Republican Clark County Commissioner April Becker after she voted against extending a gas tax that funds road construction work.

The fuel revenue indexing measure to extend a 2016 tax for another decade was approved during the commission’s Tuesday meeting 6-1, with Becker the sole dissenting vote. The vote will extend the tax for another 10 years to 2036. 

The Laborers International Union of North America, Local 872, quickly posted on its Facebook page to announce the rescinded endorsement. 

“Hard-working Nevadans thought we had a friend on the County Commission in April Becker,” read the post, which tagged Becker. 

Unlike a flat rate tax on gas, the fuel indexing tax adjusts to keep pace with inflation — combined with existing flat rate taxes, the fuel indexing tax means more money for road projects. 

During the meeting, Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer David Swallow said the tax has generated nearly an additional $1 billion in revenue since it was enacted in 2016, compared with what would have come in under a flat rate. 

In a statement on X and during the meeting on Tuesday, Becker said she felt that the extension should have been voted on by the people of Clark County. Lawmakers in 2025 passed a bill (AB530) that authorizes the Clark County Commission to extend the tax for another decade. The fuel taxing program initially passed the Legislature in 2014 before voters ratified continuation of the program on the 2016 ballot.

“Several people talked about how they’ve generated one billion dollars in revenue from this tax,” Becker said in a statement on X. “They’ve made that money off the backs of hard-working people in Clark County who are buying gas who have to get to work — they are paying a tax.” 

The Laborers sent a crowd of union members to speak to the commission in support of fuel revenue indexing. The tax has been a major source of funding for the RTC — in a video of the meeting, the agency said that the Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge, the I-15 interchange and the Maryland Bus Rapid Transit system were all partially funded by the tax. 

In an interview with The Nevada Independent, Laborers Secretary-Treasurer Tommy White said Becker’s vote was a surprise, particularly because Local 872 had sent their members to speak at the meeting. 

“If we do endorse you, or support you, at least give us the courtesy to reach out,” White said. “Don’t just blindside us. … It would have been nice to get a message from her.” 

In a statement to The Nevada Independent, Becker said White was a “friend” and was looking forward to working together on other projects in the future. 

White said it’s too soon to say if his group will endorse another candidate for Becker’s position. Becker, elected to District C in 2024, has three years left in her term and is the sole Republican on the county commission. 

Eric Neugeboren contributed to this story.