Government never as poor as advertised

To the editor:

In the Review-Journal's report on the special legislative session ("Budget balancing act ready," Sunday), Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie is reported as saying that much of the $1.2 billion in budget cuts has come from not filling 2,700 job vacancies.

While I won't question the veracity of her umbers, it is important not to get the impression there is some kind of hiring freeze going on. From year-end 2007 through just the first six month of this year, the state has increased its employee head count by 729, or 2.2 percent. That compares to an actual loss of employment in the private sector.

As has always been the case, government continues to grow, and its cost continues to rise through good times and bad times regardless of what is happening to the people in the private sector.

Don't hold your breath looking for that to change.

KNIGHT ALLEN

LAS VEGAS

No economic fix

To the editor:

I'm not an economist, but I've learned enough to know that you can't spend your way out of a recession by throwing money at projects that do not increase the gross national product or result in the ongoing ability to produce saleable goods and services.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt prolonged the Great Depression with his Works Progress Administration, Public Works Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps projects. We never would have pulled out of the Depression, except he got lucky and got us into World War II, which did the job that he had so miserably failed at.

Now we have a dreamer-cum-president-elect who intends to repeat the Roosevelt stupidity. He's going to employ millions of people on public works projects that do nothing except create higher taxes.

Lyle O. Keys

MESQUITE

The cost of mud

To the editor:

In a discussion of politics with a person who recently left public office, the person commented that if the unchecked intensity of mudslinging, smearing attempts and general "nasty" attitudes of candidates continued, pretty soon no one of good reputation will ever want to consider running for an elected office.

In Boulder City, we have some great examples of that today. A city clerk neglects to get the council's OK on appointments to a minor committee and someone files a criminal complaint. There are rumors going around that a council member's actions are based on a "hidden agenda." Another council member is charged with violating the chain of command. Staff performance appraisals contain almost vicious criticisms.

At the state level, in December 2008, the state's No. 2 elected officer, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, is charged -- by a member of the opposing political party -- with not following accounting procedures two years ago (Dec. 4 Review-Journal). No money was stolen or lost by the state, but, in non-lawyer terms, funds were placed in the wrong state accounts.

A legislative committee reviewed the actions in 2007 and dismissed the matter because the action was corrected. The actions occurred in Carson City, but the charges are presented to a grand jury in Las Vegas, and the trial will be held there. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto says no "politics" are involved, but it's interesting she chose to present the case 400 miles south of the state offices where the "criminal" offense allegedly occurred.

Really? No politics involved?

What sort of examples are we putting before our children, who will be the leaders of our society tomorrow? Will serving in an elected office be so repugnant that only the strictly self-serving and not the best-qualified choose to run for office?

It's something for all of us to think about.

Connie Poling

BOULDER CITY

Ridiculous salaries

To the editor:

I read on Dec. 2 that NV Energy is asking for a 17.5 percent residential electricity rate increase. Michael Yackira, president and chief executive officer of NV Energy, said he understands the rate increase will be extremely difficult for his customers.

I also read John L. Smith's Dec. 2 column, which said that "as of June 2007, the company's CEO and chairman at the time, Walt Higgins, received $4.9 million in salary and other compensation. Senior Vice Presidents Donald 'Pat' Shalmy, Roberto Denis and Jeffrey Ceccarelli received $1.4 million each." Total income for four employees: $9.1 million. What is the income for these employees for 2008? In all probability, it is even more.

Mr. Yackira stated that he recognizes the hardship the rate increase could cause NV Energy customers, and that his company thoroughly reviewed each component of the filing and analyzed where it may have opportunities to help reduce its impact.

My question is: Did the company think about the ridiculous salaries the top employees are receiving? In all probability, they will increase these salaries so they can afford the 17.5 percent increase in their electric bills, too.

DANIEL BERTSCHY

LAS VEGAS