Do our so-called leaders read the headlines?

To the editor:

On the front page of Wednesday's Review-Journal, the top headline reads, "Signs go south for LV." Graphics show the number of visitors down and an estimated $131 million in non-gaming revenue lost over the past 90 days because of 340 event cancellations and 236,700 lost room nights.

Now let me see if I have this straight. In order to cover the revenue shortfall in the state's budget, our legislators want to raise the room tax on all of those tourists who are not coming to Las Vegas. Government workers still want pay raises in spite of the lost revenue.

And Gov. Jim Gibbons, by not vetoing or signing the room tax hike and allowing it to pass automatically by ignoring it, can say "I did not increase taxes."

Who are these dim bulbs we have running the state?

Jack Omohundro

LAS VEGAS

Conservation quandary

To the editor:

The water district praises Southern Nevadans for conserving water. More water has been conserved than they thought possible.

It needs a rate increase.

NV Energy is pleased that so many Southern Nevadans are conserving electricity.

It needs two rate increases.

Southwest Gas says Southern Nevadans' conservation efforts and a milder-than-expected winter has natural gas usage way down.

It needs a rate increase.

Conservation: good for Southern Nevadans -- or the utilities?

Pam Chapman

LAS VEGAS

Staying home

To the editor:

I'd like to come to Las Vegas for a long weekend, and will tell you why I am not.

I cannot get airline seats through either of my frequent flyer programs.

Some weeks I can make a reservation westward, but then cannot get back home. And vice versa.

Yes, I can find seats if I am willing to part with extra miles, but I see no reason to pay a premium.

The online reservation systems reveal that many seats are open.

And I would think that even more seats would be available now that your city has suffered the loss of so many conventions. But the airlines are against you, holding back their inventory from frequent flyers.

It's time for Las Vegas officials to land in their back yard squawking.

Ed Rickards

NEW YORK