Editorial: Gaming isn’t the only concern of Las Vegas

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 9:32 a.m.

Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert is touring several Western states and hosting political fund-raisers along the way. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said he arranged today's visit in Las Vegas so Hastert could see the gaming industry's positive impacts. Hastert also plans to raise $500,000 for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee at a Las Vegas fund-raiser sponsored by the American Gaming Association.

The gaming industry is important, but Hastert shouldn't assume that Las Vegans only care about the welfare of Strip casinos. More than a million people live in the metropolitan area and they also are deeply concerned about Congress' unfair efforts to place a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain. And just like other Americans, Las Vegans want Congress to protect our natural resources, pass a patient's bill of rights and approve campaign finance reforms. It is hoped that Hastert's brief visit doesn't result in the one-dimensional view of Las Vegas that too many outside politicians often have when they return to Washington.