LETTERS: Public should be informed of state’s business dealings
As a Nevada taxpayer for 43 years, I am outraged by the blatant secrecy surrounding Gov. Brian Sandoval’s dealings involving Tesla and now Faraday Future (“Startup plans $1 billion factory,” Saturday Review-Journal). Since Gov. Sandoval uses our tax dollars to conduct the state’s business, the taxpayer has the right to demand an accounting of his dealings.
It appears all political hacks, from President Barack Obama down to our governor, feel they can shroud their trade and business negotiations from our view by claiming any disclosure would harm their ability to be successful over competing interests. While this might be true in private enterprise, where individuals invest their own time and money in an endeavor they freely pursue, it should not apply to the business of the state, since I and many other taxpayers might not agree with the business decisions being pursued.
While the governor touts his business deal as job creation, the public should be asking: At what price will these jobs be created? This type of questioning is practiced by the far left all the time when they seek to terminate any investment in coal or oil development, with the Keystone XL pipeline one of many examples.
The taxpayer should be asking for an account of all state and federal dollars involved in the development of electric vehicles. What unintended consequences will result in their development? Will the political hacks request more taxes for the highway fund, since gas consumption will be reduced? Or will insurance rates be increased due to the exorbitant price of these vehicles?
Will the same extreme environmental review be used as the Keystone pipeline was subjected to? What water restrictions will be imposed, since this is a favorite red herring of the far left to restrict mining and other business pursuits?
These questions and many more need to be asked of Gov. Sandoval by all Nevada taxpayers, since the consequences of his negotiations affect all Nevada citizens, not just the few who will benefit from his actions.
Dennis Leffner
Las Vegas
Teacher shortage
Once again, Staci Vesneske seems bewildered by the teacher shortage facing the Clark County School District. (“‘What’s Next’ takes on state’s shortage,” Nov. 4 Review-Journal). She states, “There’s only so much we can do at the district.” Ms. Vesneske is the director of human resources for one of the nation’s largest school districts, so I am confused by that statement. Can she not do her job? If not, why are we as taxpayers continuing to fund her salary?
As one of the hundreds of teachers who quit prior to this school year, I am still stunned that the school district made no effort to reach out and ask me why I left — or even better, try to retain my services as a highly qualified, licensed teacher in a high-need area. I keep reading about these groups meeting to try to solve the hiring debacle, but nowhere do I read about any efforts to try to keep teachers from leaving. Nor do I ever read that there will be a current, licensed teacher serving on any of these committees that keep meeting to discuss why teachers are leaving the profession in droves.
I would happily serve and help the experts find solutions.
Wendy Gelbart
Las Vegas
Social Security
Jan Mills’ letter points out Social Security payments will not increase in the coming year, due to lower gas prices (“Less for us,” Thursday Review-Journal). Ms. Mills, take heart, as this probably means that all those government employees won’t be getting their automatic 3 percent salary increases for the very same reason. Right?
James Magnuson
Las Vegas
