Broaden and flatten the tax base? No thanks
To the editor:
In his Wednesday column, Steve Sebelius laments the failure in the state Legislature of "a late-breaking attempt to broaden and flatten the tax base -- something this state has desperately needed for decades." Assuming he means what he says -- that he wants taxes spread wider to more people and businesses but paid by all at a lower rate, with no overall increase in total taxes collected -- I say: No thank you.
What would a broader and flatter tax base look like? Currently Nevada collects a relatively high amount of taxes from out-of-state tourists and a lesser amount from residents. Broader and flatter means lowering taxes on tourists and raising taxes on Nevada residents and businesses. No thank you to higher taxes on Nevadans and lower taxes for tourists.
Let us look at how Nevada collects taxes from businesses. Currently Nevada collects a relatively high amount of taxes from casinos and a lesser amount from other businesses. Broader and flatter means lowering taxes on casinos and raising taxes on other businesses. I say no thank you to higher taxes on most state businesses and lower taxes for casinos.
Let us look at how Nevada collects taxes from individuals. Currently Nevada collects a relatively high amount of taxes from the sales tax, a moderate amount of taxes from the property tax and nothing from individual income taxes. Broader and flatter means lowering the sales tax, keeping the property tax about the same, and imposing a new tax on individuals. I say no thank you to a new tax.
The reality is that those who call for "tax base stabilization" or a "broader and flatter tax base" have no intention of actually lowering anyone's taxes. They just want to raise taxes in the "low" areas and keep the taxes in the "high" areas in order to raise more money to spend on pet projects, social engineering, rewards to supporters and big government in general.
John M. McGrail
Las Vegas
On call
To the editor:
Something must be done to allow voters to have some peace around election time. Over the weekend there were eight calls on our answering machine from Chris Giunchigliani's mayoral campaign, and we got another call from them at 5:15 p.m. on Election Day.
These people can't seem to leave voters alone.
There should be a way for voters to indicate that they don't want any political phone calls.
Nevada has early voting. It seems to me that if one votes, then that voter should immediately be exempt from those badgering phone calls which come at all hours. Early voters should be rewarded.
This would be a good way for government to intervene on behalf of its citizens.
David Adams
Las Vegas
Straight shot
To the editor:
I can't believe it. The state Legislature passed a bill to allow the building of a toll road to bypass Boulder City. Right now, once you cross the Hoover Dam bridge, it's a straight shot to Las Vegas by driving through Boulder City. But they want to build a road that takes us 11 miles out of the way and charge us for it? Do they really think people will do that?
I think not. I would like to suggest a name for this new boondoggle: the Monorail II.
Glenn Wyatt
Las Vegas
Fiscal plan
To the editor:
I would like to raise taxes on the wealthy and cut spending to balance the budget, but our unfunded liabilities make this next to impossible.
So let's treat our national debt as one big credit card that cannot be maxed out.
We will never pay back the principal, so we need only make the minimum monthly payment, which is the interest on the debt.
We continue to borrow money where we can and print money when it's necessary and put it all on our national credit card.
Future generations will learn new ways to shift money around and borrow from their future as we have borrowed from ours.
ANTHONY TIDEA
LAS VEGAS
Bad attitude
To the editor:
After watching Gov. Brian Sandoval tout the difficult decisions necessary to pass the budget, I find it extremely sad that state employees who make Nevada run are the ones who will suffer the most (furloughs and additional pay cuts).
As a state employee, I have always taken pride in my position. But it will now be very difficult to do my job with less and for less.
The next time anyone has contact with a state employee or seeks state services and experiences a curt, unhappy, distant individual, you will know why.
Richard James
Las Vegas
Please hold
To the editor:
The Public Utilities Commission approves an electricity rate hike, and what do NV Energy customers get in return?
More than an hour wait to speak to a customer service representative.
Thanks NV Energy. Job well done.
Fred Meyer
Henderson
