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November 16, 2009

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Letter: Many better ways to use surplus

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005 | 9:51 a.m.

Despite a need for increased funding for education, mental health and other services, Gov. Guinn has announced that Nevada has a surplus of $300 million. He has proposed to give away this money to Nevada citizens in the form of car-registration rebates. A maximum of $300 would be returned for each automobile registered in 2004.

Although this money would go a long way for some families (assuming that they would even qualify to receive the refund), I believe that the governor is lacking common sense on this one.

What about the greater good? What about keeping the money for the state so taxes are not raised in the future?

Or how about investing the money and utilizing the interest to help our schools, health care agencies and public safety providers? We should keep in mind that $300 million invested at just 1 percent interest would yield $3 million a year, and the state would still have the original $300 million. I would think that teachers, medical providers and law enforcement agencies would like to have an annual share of an extra $3 million.

BRIAN SHAPIRO

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