Letter: Convention center expansion probably won't benefit public

The latest twist in the story is new legislation proposed by Majority Whip Tom DeLay. A close look at this bill makes it clear to me that it was not targeted specifically at Las Vegas, despite the claims of expansion supporters to the contrary.

From a taxpayer perspective, frankly, this bill makes perfect sense for Las Vegas and the rest of the country.

In the simplest terms, DeLay's bill says tax-exempt bonds cannot be used to finance a project or facility if the primary recipients of the tax-exempt benefits will be private, rather than public, interests.

Unfortunately, the primary beneficiaries of the convention center expansion would be the group of businesses who lock into a guaranteed rental rate for convention space which would be the absolute lowest in the country. This is despite the fact that the rate those renters currently pay is already the lowest in the country.

In and of itself, an expanded convention center will probably not make or break us. In fact, considering all of the undesirable and hotly debated impacts that our phenomenal growth has bestowed on this community, I say we would be better off issuing the $150 million in tax-exempt bonds to fund improvements and expansion of public transportation, public parks, restoration of the Las Vegas Wash, or any other projects that provide clear benefits to the public and the community.

Instead, the expansion will likely produce more growth related problems, and use tax-exempt bonds to do it.

RICHARD NIELSEN

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