Prioritize spending to balance the budget
We can balance the budget without raising taxes if we prioritize spending. Politicians fund nonessential items and projects that lack public support, then claim taxes must be raised to fund basic services. It’s always for the children, schools, firefighters, police, hospitals, etc. However, we can reduce waste and lower taxes by funding essential services first. The following is my list for prioritizing funding.
• Debt service
• Infrastructure (schools, police, fire fighters, roads, etc.)
• Future needs
• Emergency fund.
• Committees, panels and boards
• Nonessential projects
• Politician salaries and perks
Of this I have no doubt, if politician’s salaries are funded last, they would finally get serious about balancing the budget. If it ever comes down to self-interest or some useless commission, panel, board or boondoggle we can live without; self-interest will win every time. But if I am wrong, can you imagine the howls of laughter following a warning to taxpayers that without a tax increase drastic cuts to legislative salaries will ensue.
Mike Rodgick
Carson City
Good to see the other side
I am so glad to see the push back from your readers to Guy Farmer regarding Farmer’s inaccurate diatribe on climate change. I was about ready to end my subscription to the Appeal for continuing to publish a one-sided, narrow-minded, right-wing opinion of current events.
Where is the excellent journalism that Nevada Appeal use to have? There are great editorials/articles out there that are truly fact-based on both sides of a topic instead of publishing a one-sided ignorant opinion of Farmer?
Saturday’s paper was refreshing to read. Thanks to the community letters and Faith Evans journalistic interview with Justin Huntington from Adams Hub regarding his Climate Engine database. This is what we need! Good journalism serves to inform the public, to convey facts, an objective story about what is happening. For now I will continue my subscription.
Margaret Konieczny
Carson City
