Stop the greed; let Nevada have lottery

By Bradley Kuhns, Las Vegas

Monday, March 9, 2015 | 2 a.m.

A $500 million Powerball and Nevadans can’t play, courtesy of the casino juice.

Many lawmakers, including Gov. Brian Sandoval are living large on Nevadans’ dime, always wanting to raise taxes but ignoring the wishes of the majority of us Nevadans. They constantly spout that they want to do the taxpayers’ bidding. Are you kidding?

Taxpayers have been screaming for a lottery in Nevada for years. However, it’s no secret the governor and politicians are in the pocket of the casino industry, so they refuse to repeal the law that prohibits lotteries in Nevada. They know, as taxpayers know, that a lottery would bring in millions of dollars for schools, roads, scholarships, and the many other projects and agendas that require big bucks. The many lawmakers and casino moguls who refuse to allow a lottery in Nevada are greedy. Money is power, and that’s what these Nevada lawmakers take from the casino industry. They accept casino money and are beholden to do what the casinos demand.

The legislature wouldn’t have to start a lottery from scratch. They could immediately tie into the already established Powerball and Megabucks lotteries that operate nationwide. A lottery is a win-win for the state. The millions, if not billions from the lottery could allow relief for taxpayers and the never-ending demands of our lawmakers for more money would be solved to a large degree. The casinos would make a large amount of money just from selling the lottery tickets.

I would suggest the people of Nevada march on Carson City demanding that the lawmakers repeal the lottery prohibition. If it takes petitions, phone and email demands and marches to allow taxpayers to participate in the lottery, those actions should be taken. If our lawmakers don’t want to listen to the cries of its citizens, let’s throw them out. Don’t vote for any lawmakers who oppose a lottery in Nevada.

Our legislators and politicians should begin working for the people of this state. Repeal the lottery prohibition and give Nevadans our lottery.