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December 5, 2009

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Letter: Controlling spending a matter of principle

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007 | 7:13 a.m.

If there is one civics rule that is clear, it is that uncontrolled spending by government officials without clear government purpose will surely lead to corruption. We are seeing violations of this rule in the fact that each of the Clark County commissioners is given $15,000 each year for office purposes, at his or her discretion, or $105,000 altogether.

But that should not mean it should be used for their favorite charities. We know through recent cases that it is illegal to use government funds for election expenses. How then can it be justified to use the funds for expenditures that go only toward making the commissioners more electable by using government funds to enhance their position? How can their "office," for example, be benefited by sending a local dance team to Disneyland?

This is especially appalling in light of the fact that the state is in a fiscal crisis and our hospitals are drowning in debt. What does not seem much today will look monstrous in five years. We elected commissioners and not kings or sheiks. We need a firm policy on expenditures immediately.

Tom White, Henderson

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