Letter: It’s time for gaming tax to be increased

Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998 | 10:42 a.m.

It seems to me that 99 percent of our elected politicians in the state will go to any extreme to protect the large gambling interests. Any business should have a favorable environment, but when the politicians protect big gaming interests over the rights of the people of our state, then it is time for a change.

Why does our state continually raise our sales tax while never touching the gaming tax? Shouldn't gaming pay its fair share as we are continually asked to do? There has been no change in the gaming tax for 12 years.

Who is the person in Carson City that "donated" $10 million of Nevada's federal road fund to Barstow, Calif.? Some people on "talk radio" are complaining about potholes in our streets. Don't you think we could repair a few potholes with $10 million?

Why was a local politician lobbying for a Las Vegas casino mogul to build a huge casino in Detroit? How will a casino in Detroit better the lives of people here in Las Vegas?

Why should a large casino get huge tax breaks for purchasing fine art, then charge people to view it?

Why should I pay an additional quarter-cent sales tax to sit here and watch my neighbors down the street water their lawns for hours every single day and then wash down their driveways when they are done? Or for that matter, watch the water spray from an 11-acre lake in front of a large casino?

Paul McGuire