Nevada is broke. But don’t worry, you can help--by purchasing one of Governor Jim Gibbons’ new Education Gift Certificates. These handy-dandy mementos signify that you bought up some of Nevada's yawning deficit that’s going to force the layoff of hundreds of teachers; your contribution will go straight towards teacher salaries, and maybe keep one on the rolls. Education makes up more than 50 percent of the state’s budget, and the Silver State is $800 mil in the hole. That means Gibbons needs every single one of the roughly 1.9 million folks in the state over the age of 18 to give approximately $211. And that’s on top of their state taxes. Teachers find the whole plan "insulting." "Who’s gonna actually go in and buy these for teachers?" worried one educator. A legitimate concern, but with April 15 right around the corner, we can’t help but wonder: Are these contributions tax-deductible?
“Governor unveils education gift certificate,” Press Release form the Office of the Governor, ThisisReno.com, February 18, 2010
“Teachers call new Education Gift Certificate ‘insulting,’” by Andrew DelGreco, News4, February 19, 2010