Letter: What gaming wants gaming still gets

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998 | 10:04 a.m.

These individuals received huge donations from Nevada's gaming leaders and lobby, including Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, who received $758,614. The gaming industry rules when it comes to backing the politicians it wants elected. Ironically, the gaming lobby has plenty of cash to donate to politicians, but it yells bloody murder when voters want to see gamers pay their fair share in taxes.

Why does Steve Wynn get serious consideration when he wants to charge tourists to see his art collection when he is a billionaire? He just sold his Lake Tahoe property for millions, so why does he need another tax deduction? Why does the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, funded by the rich gaming industry, spend millions of dollars to attract 35-plus million tourists to Las Vegas every year? Because gaming wants it that way.

That's why gaming should pay more of the bill. Why are Las Vegas' homeowners/taxpayers asked to pay more for Las Vegas' increasing infrastructure ills, including: rising crime, rising health insurance and property taxes, rising natural gas costs, lack of adequate schools, air/dust pollution because of the lack of public transportation and shameful over-building by developers, and of course, the problems brought on by out-of-control growth and our gutless leaders who don't have a clue about how they are going to provide water to the 2 million-plus Clark County population that is estimated over the next decade?

What disgusts most sensible Nevadans is all the media time these politicians purchase, and we have to listen to their lies and false promises. We need better, more free-thinking, qualified leadership in Nevada. Our current and dismal leaders locally and in Carson City have sold their souls to get elected. If you think your vote counts this year, think again. Made any donations to politicians lately?

A. Sarkiss