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‘NO’ ON HENDERSON LIBRARIES QUESTION NO. 1: If patrons won’t pay back to libraries, why should taxpayers?

Libraries are a necessary part of great communities and should be celebrated. However, when home ownership continues to decline in Henderson and government-funded agencies like Henderson Libraries strive to continue to place the burden of operation on the few remaining taxpayers, we have to ask ourselves: Is this the right thing to do? Increase taxes on already strapped homeowners?

Nevadans worked until April 14, 2012, to pay all taxes levied by federal, state and local agencies. That is 102 days before we have any take-home pay for ourselves or our families.

Can the residents of Henderson afford $81,148,000? Can you? Can I? This is the real price tag of this question, initiative, and yes, tax increase. Henderson Libraries would have you believe the cost will be approximately one-third of the more than $81 million by using a 1 percent inflation rate, but historical data point to the number being closer to the
$81 million mark over the next 30 years.

Another seemingly harmless part of the question is the "term" of this new tax, "not more than 30 years." These "temporary" new taxes seem to never go away.

In 2011, patrons of Henderson Libraries were asked to provide a $1 donation per visit. The libraries raised only 10 percent of their fundraising goal, according the Henderson Libraries Foundation. If those who directly use the services are unwilling to support their libraries, why is it fair to place the burden on the taxpayers?

I believe it is time to say no to new tax increases overall and force our government entities to live within their means and budget just like the rest of us. When we don't have enough money to pay for something, we have to make tough choices about what we want and what we need. This asking for new and more money has caused our country to drive itself deeper into debt while taking more out of our pockets.

Send a message with this tax increase request and say no to the "little here, little there" approach that eventually adds up to a lot of our hard-earned money.

Victor M. Leach, a Henderson small business owner since 2006, contributed to the ballot argument against passage of Henderson Question No. 1.

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