Letter: Tax debate shows officials beholden to gaming

Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 | 7:40 a.m.

As a substitute teacher in the Clark County School District who has read many articles recently about the proposed teacher tax hike , I can come to only one conclusion. The casino industry and the greater majority of elected officials think the public is stupid.

They both are arrogant in their replies to the tax hike proposal. Imagine , an MGM Mirage executive recently saying the casino industry would go someplace else if this proposal goes through! We all know that the politicians in Nevada ( the majority) are beholden to casino money to run their campaigns. Gee, wonder why they are against raising taxes on that industry .

The room taxes on hotels are lower than in all surrounding states , and the gaming tax is so low (in comparison) it is laughable. But please don't touch the "sacred cow," i.e. casinos, when their fair share is not being paid.

At least a few of our elected officials showed some independence/courage and admitted the casino industry has been getting away with not paying its fair share for far too long. But it is a shame we have such dependent and sheepish officials who can see only filling their political coffers as their main goal instead of the needs of our educational system. Shame on them.

If state Sen. Bob Beers really believes that teacher pay is "low on the list" of why teachers leave, I suggest he is either not talking to Clark County teachers or is not hearing what is being said. Come on back from the land of fantasy, Mr. Beers.

Ron Wasak, Las Vegas