Aug. 7, 2024, Letters to the Editor

Animal Shelter benefit Aug. 25

Editor:

Put your favorite boots on and play bingo for a great cause Aug. 25 at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

Bingo for Buddies event is an amazing way to give support to our local Douglas County Animal Shelter Animal Services - Community Services (douglascountynv.gov). The funds will go to assist with programs and supplies at the shelter. The local animal shelter provides more than just the amazing animals seeking forever homes, but also educational tools to becoming a responsible pet owner, dog licensing, local pet services, and great volunteer opportunities. To reach our fundraising goals we are in need of sponsorship and bingo prizes. If your organization would be interested in providing one of those options, we would be entirely grateful to your contribution to our event. 

Sponsorship Tiers are:

• Border Collie Barrel $50 (Decorate and put your Business Name on Collection Barrel)

• Bronze Boxer $250 (Name on banner)

• Silver Labradors $500 (Name on banner, table-booth at event)

• Golden Retriever $1000 (Name on banner, table-booth at event, announced as sponsor for a round of bingo as well as having your logo on a bandanna that will be on the available adoptable dogs)

The nonprofit sponsorship tier is Perfect Pug $100 (Name on banner).

All donations will be accepted below tiers, and your name will be on the pamphlets passed out to all patrons that attend our event as a non-title sponsor. Funds will be collected through Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce. Baskets for bingo prizes are always accepted as well, and a great way to promote your business, otherwise known as a Fabulous Frenchie.

Please reach out to the Leadership 2024 Group at dcleadership2024@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you for your consideration to sponsor our amazing event and to the Douglas County Animal Shelter.

Pamela Litka

Gardnerville

Tax policy an important issue

Editor:

Tax policy is one of the many issues voters need to consider this November. The starkest difference between the Democrats and Republicans is reflected in tax policy; a crucial part of federal legislation impacting our lives. We don’t have to speculate about what either party’s priorities are or what they would do, both have recent administrations and a record of enacting tax legislation. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017 under President Trump’s administration disproportionately benefited the very richest Americans far more than low- and moderate-income households. 

It was claimed that the benefits of the bill would “trickle down,” resulting in gains for workers, families, and the economy in general. Now after more than six years, there is no evidence that the legislation delivered the promised growth. And it is the reason for the rising national debt. 

The good news is these Trump tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2025. However, Trump is suggesting, if he is re-elected, that he will extend all those tax cuts and even talks of cutting taxes further for billionaires and big corporations. Extending these tax cuts would cost $400 billion per year and give the largest tax cuts to extremely wealthy households according to the Congressional Budget Office.

In comparison, the Democrats want to tax billionaires so that we can invest in America and fund the needs of working families and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Trump and Republican proposals would weaken Social Security and Medicare. The Democrats want big corporations to pay their fair share of taxes, Republicans want to let them get away with paying $0 in taxes.

Under President Biden’s administration, legislation was passed to make our tax code fairer. This included enacting a 15 percent corporate minimum tax so that billion-dollar companies don’t get away with paying $0. 

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 temporarily increased the Child Tax Credit and made payments monthly instead of annually. It is well-established that this drove child poverty to a record low in 2021, and the failure to extend the legislation caused child poverty to soar in 2022. Under the proposed 2025 budget, the expanded CTC would be restored. 

Democrats oppose tax increases on middle-class families and have pledged that no one earning less than $400,000 will pay any additional federal taxes.

Next year presents an opportunity for reforms to create a more equitable tax system. The tax policies in the Democratic supported budget will protect working families and lower the deficit.

Elizabeth Valdes

Minden