Letters to the editor for April 15

Legislators need to think about 2013, too

As our current hack-and-slash legislative session wearily grinds toward it's cessation, I have a question. What happens when the 2013 Legislature convenes and Nevada's economy has not improved? Will the "No new taxes" cry still be valid?

Since we will have cut or eliminated many state services to the bare minimum, how will the next shortfall be addressed? Haven't heard that anyone is looking past July 1, 2011.

Do Gov. Sandoval and our state economists have any idea as to what they will do in 2013? Just a thought.

Bob Hilderbrand

Carson City

Politicians need to feel financial pain

Instead of shutting down the government, and social security checks, unemployment benefits, veteran's disability benefits, parks, museums, passports, tax refunds, Fed loans, etc., how about they just stop paying the politicians who are grandstanding on the issue?

Those so anxious to hurt the American people to prove a banal point should have to feel the financial pain they're causing to their own constituents.

Robin Christy

Carson City

As population ages, senior services become more important

According to an article by Fernando Torres-Gil in the March-April 2011 edition of Aging Today, "The United States, like other nations, is now experiencing a 'Silver Tsunami.' By the year 2032 there will be more people alive over the age of 65 than under the age of 15." Makes you wonder why time and time again senior services appear on the chopping block during the legislative session.

According to a policy report by the Legislative Counsel Bureau, between 2000 and 2008, the senior population in Nevada grew 30 percent. The state office of demographics expects this number to more than double by 2026.

At first glance, if you look at all the senior programs, it appears sufficient. However, if you really investigate the programs that assist seniors in their homes, those programs are not only very limited, but the requirements are extremely rigid. With the baby boom generation coming into retirement age, Nevada needs to get proactive. Legislators continue to approve astronomical spending for institutional care when home care is only a fraction of the cost.

As residents of Nevada, we all have a stake in this issue. We either serve older adults, are an older adult, or one day hope to be one. We need to take a stand that there needs to be additional senior services, less rigid requirements, and these programs need to be less disposable. That way we can not only prepare for the future, but take care of our present.

Elizabeth Caldwell

Carson City