I consider myself to be very liberal. Some might even say that I am a bit socialist. But Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen's proposal to have the state seize funds from unused, expired gift cards is communism -- or more likely outright theft (Dec. 25 Review-Journal).
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Whatever the assemblyman wants to use the unused gift card money for, it's wrong. Even if it's for cancer research or feeding the hungry, I don't see how Nevada government can take this money from businesses or the public.
If I buy a sweater and I don't use it, the government shouldn't be able to come in and take it from me and give it to someone less fortunate. It's not the best thing, me having a perfectly good sweater just sitting in my closet, but it's my choice.
How are gift cards different? I thought governments were going after retailers for having expiration dates on gift cards and service fees. If so, then let's go after retailers who are making a killing on unused gift cards. But don't make the situation worse by commandeering private property, especially when Nevada has a budget surplus.
This is the worst thing I've heard in a long time. Why doesn't the Legislature do a better job of managing what they have and weed out crooks in their own midst instead of trying to take more from the public?
Tahirih Kempf
HENDERSON
Unused funds
To the editor:
I have an idea for Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen for a law to propose: All unused campaign contributions must be forfeited to the state treasury. This would apply to all elected officials at all levels in the state of Nevada and would level the field each election cycle.
Assemblyman Kihuen, how about putting your money where your mouth is?
David Moredock
LAS VEGAS
A fair compromise
To the editor:
Your story Friday about the coroner's inquest process indicates that the panel formed by the county to make recommended changes was "at an impasse" and had hit a "roadblock."
The reality is much more benign than that. The committee has reached consensus on proposed changes, and the only organization with concerns about one of the three proposals is the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. It appears that everyone else agrees that the recommended changes would result in a more fair and open public process.
We have set two public hearings to gain further input so that we can present recommendations to the Clark County Commission. That is hardly an impasse; that is what I call general agreement and a very fair compromise.
The recommended changes call for replacing hearing masters, who oversee the proceedings, with justices of the peace; replacing representatives of the district attorney's office, who currently are the chief questioners during coroner's inquests, with lawyers from the state attorney general's office; and allowing a representative of each of the shooting victims' families, who are currently allowed to submit questions in writing, to ask questions in open court. Those questions would be considered by the justices of the peace, who would determine whether they are relevant.
Here is where the ACLU differs. The organization argues that all questions, whether a judge deems them appropriate or not, should be asked in front of the jury by family representatives.
I would urge the public to come to one of our hearings to provide input. Those public hearings will be held Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the first-floor county commission chambers at the County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. Citizens also may view the hearings live on Clark County Television, cable Channel 4.
ELIZABETH QUILLIN
LAS VEGAS
THE WRITER IS AN ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER.
Bad math
To the editor:
The Saturday letter to the editor from Jackie Sofia ("Don't compare educated teachers with dealers"), stating her amusement at Tim Reardon's previous letter comparing teachers to casino dealers, provided its own amusing irony.
Near the end of Ms. Sofia's letter, she mentioned that she spent two years and $10,000 to attain a graduate degree. "My raise for this achievement will be a mere $1,500 a year. Figured at the 184 days in my contract, that's 80 cents a day. Can that be right?"
Well, no, it isn't right. The raise comes out to $8.15 a day.
Obviously a graduate degree isn't what it used to be.
