Smokers already pay their fair share in taxes

To the editor:

In response to the Thursday letter from Beverly Daly Dix regarding the health-related costs smoking imposes on the state of Nevada:

Each year the state receives $160 million in revenue from the tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes. In 2007, only 15 percent of that sum was spent on tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It is projected that in 2010 the sum will be substantially less, because lawmakers are using that money to balance the budget and dig the state out of the hole.

Nevada ranks 37th in funding to prevent tobacco use among youth. Now the state wants to effect "securitization" of the future funds -- sell future payments for minimal return in order to get a lump sum settlement now.

Now what does the state use the remaining funds for? The Millennium Scholarship.

Most states have opted to direct their tobacco settlement payments, or at least a large part of them, to actually paying for health and social service programs. So before Ms. Dix wants to again target a small class for even more taxes, ask state officials why they are not using the money specifically awarded for health care and prevention for that intent.

As it is now, the tobacco settlement is benefiting everyone but the class it was intended for. Smokers are paying their fair share.

Sue Cash

NORTH LAS VEGAS

Taxpaying serfs

To the editor:

Thank you for reporting on public-sector compensation in Clark County. It appears to me that government workers just write their own contracts and the County Commission and City Council just ratify what the unions put before them.

Perhaps the state and Clark County should be classified as a serfdom, in which the ruling lords just exact the amount of money they so desire from the working, taxpaying serfs.

William Kiker

HENDERSON