A Nevada teacher’s union is taking a stand against the use of $380 million in public funds to finance the new home of the Las Vegas A’s. The union, known as the Nevada State Education Association, believes that this money should be allocated towards education instead. They have filed a lawsuit claiming that the bill to fund the stadium is unconstitutional, arguing that the entire state is taking on debt that should be the responsibility of Clark County, where the stadium is proposed to be built.
This issue raises concerns about the prioritization of public funds. In 2016, Nevada lawmakers approved $750 million in public funds for the construction of the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium. The state currently ranks poorly in educational measures, such as educated citizenry, educational attainment, school quality, and caliber of public school systems. It is perplexing that public funds are being directed towards sports facilities instead of addressing these pressing educational challenges.
The issue of public funds being funneled into sports stadiums is not unique to Nevada. According to economist Andrew Zimbalist, $33 billion in taxpayer money has been used to build sports stadiums between 1970 and 2020. However, studies have consistently shown that these investments do not promote employment or per capita income growth as promised. In fact, taxpayers often end up taking a fiscal loss on these deals.
The decision to allocate public funds to sports stadiums instead of investing in education is particularly troubling. Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of a society. By neglecting to prioritize education, lawmakers are doing a disservice to the next generation. It is unfair to children to be denied quality education while public funds are being used to benefit billionaire team owners.
This issue also highlights the struggles faced by teachers who are already dealing with various challenges, such as the controversy surrounding Critical Race Theory, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the banning of books. It is unfortunate that these underappreciated public servants have to fight for the proper allocation of funds that should be dedicated to their students’ education.
Ultimately, it is crucial for the public and lawmakers to critically evaluate the allocation of public funds. Investing in education should be a top priority to ensure the future success of society. Rather than pouring money into sports stadiums that do not provide the promised economic benefits, it is time to prioritize the needs of the education system. It is essential to remember that education is an investment in the future, and it should not be overshadowed by the lure of sports and entertainment.
