Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Budget cuts jeopardize state’s future

I have lived in Southern Nevada for 50 years and have seen the constant disregard for public education by state legislators and governors looking out for the best interests of themselves and certain businesses in our state (mining, gaming, etc.). So it comes as no surprise to me that Nevada cannot and will not be able to diversify by attracting new businesses to our state. We will continue down the same path of self-destruction until our state is no more.

Perhaps there are still some in Carson City who can work toward doing what’s best for Nevada and all its residents, not just those who are most persuasive in their lobbying efforts.

The proposed cuts would affect our public education sector and those Nevada families shouldering the enormous tax burden — so Gov. Brian Sandoval can say he isn’t raising taxes for the rest of the privileged — and would collapse public education in Nevada to a point where it would never recover.

Like a house of cards, our entire state economy would go from where it is now to disaster. We’ll see a mass exodus from our state by our Nevada teachers and their families, a reduced tax base from those steady taxpaying Nevada families, more foreclosed homes from those leaving who are upside down in their homes, and an even less favorable view toward attracting outside businesses and their families to this “New Nevada,” which will certainly rank 50th in the nation in funding for public education.

Having grown up in Nevada, raised two children with my wife (who currently is a public schoolteacher), spent a lifetime educating thousands in the Clark County School District and UNLV systems, I can only say that the sacrifices we make today to take a stand for what’s right for all Nevadans determine the short- and long-term success or failure of this great state.

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