I happen to get alerts now and again relating to MGM/Mirage since my husband and I visit annually as tourists (I also lived in Vegas in the early 90's). When I saw this news story and the comments, I wanted to respond.

Unfortunately, the educational system nearly everywhere has the same problems -- inadequate classroom sizes/schools, retaining qualified educators, etc. -- So much so that this subject tends to make the evening news more often than not that "something has to be done" with little or no solutions in sight.

Everyone seems to jump on the "raise taxes" band wagon, but I never hear about how those tax dollars would be spent exactly. To me, it is like someone saying "hey, give me a $1000 and I will try to fix your toilet, but I will not warranty my work, or guarantee that I bought the right parts, or that I am accountable for when and/or if it will actually be fixed -- so here is a bucket and a roll of toilet paper for now and I will get back to you later (and likely because I will need more money from you)".

As a tourist to Vegas -- I know my gambling, shopping, going to shows, taking cabs and whatnot supports the local economy but honestly, without the incentives from the casino's inviting me to come visit with offers such as a free suite, meals and other comps, I probably would not come as often. Trust me, I am no "whale" by any stretch of the meaning so having a nearly free vacation, other than my spending money, is very nice.

Below are my questions to this discussion:

1. If the casinos did have to pay higher taxes, would that then translate into less comps for us little guys and moreover lay-offs of casino employees?

2. Without all us little guys spending our money, would the revenue of the casinos then also drop, meaning even more lay-offs of employees and moreover, less taxes going to the state?

3. What about the thousand's of other industries who benefit from my tourist dollar -- if I do not come because of lack of comps (well, me and many other folks), would those businesses be in jeopardy too?

and finally...

4. Without my tourist dollars, would that mean less money in your overall economy that is needed for education?

I am not trying to take the side of the casino mind you, but trying to look at this from the big picture.