In November 2004, Clark County voters passed Question 9, a measure to increase the sales tax a quarter of a percent to pay for hiring more police officers. The sales tax was raised to 7.75 percent effective October 1st of this year, and it will be raised another quarter percent in 2009. When this ballot question was being debated, it was estimated the money raised by increasing … [Read more...] about Hold the Line on Spending: For Public Employee Salaries

Nevada’s economy enjoyed a banner year in 2005. Most industry sectors reported their strongest year yet, and predictions for the future are very positive. Most of the experts interviewed expect bright futures in their industries as population and job growth continue to expand. Rural counties are experiencing healthy economies. Mining and tourism both look good. Nevada’s economy … [Read more...] about Looking Ahead: Nevada 2006 – Experts Forecast Nevada’s Economic Future

Almost 50 percent of small businesses that face a disaster never reopen their doors. One in five –20 percent – of businesses have suffered a disaster that resulted in suspending operations for a period of time. Eighty percent of companies without concrete, tested business continuity plans are out of business within two years of a major disaster. Whether it is nearby forest … [Read more...] about Be Prepared for the Unexpected: With Disaster Preparedness Plans

Nevada is experiencing geometric business growth, with firms ranging from start-ups to established companies flourishing. Multi-million dollar projects attract most attention, but as is the case throughout the country, the majority of economic growth comes from small business. Properly capitalizing a new venture is one of the most important and difficult aspects of an … [Read more...] about Business Investing: How to Get the Right Investors for Your Business

Strategic philanthropy and corporate giving in Nevada are growing right along with the state. Simply put, in Nevada, giving is good business. For businesses large and small, it’s not simply "in vogue" to give; corporate giving has become a core business objective. "Corporate philanthropy in Nevada has continued to grow," said Barbara Wood, communications and public relations … [Read more...] about Hearts of Gold in the Silver State: Nevada Companies Invest in Philanthropy

If you take a look at organizations today, you’ll see that many of them are led at various levels by nice people, but all too often these individuals don’t have the knowledge, skills or ability to be effective leaders. The answer is not to send people to leadership programs and expect them to come back transformed and capable. Most leadership training programs don’t have any … [Read more...] about Effective Leadership: Why Don’t Our Leaders Lead?

Construction defect litigation has spawned its own cottage industries of consultants and counsel who do little but prosecute (and defend) these cases. Plaintiffs’ consultants often "identify" defects to justify the cost of their destructive testing investigation, while defense consultants frequently require further destructive testing to prove that the defects are not as … [Read more...] about Construction Defect Litigation: Tips on Avoiding the Tar Baby

"How will the Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act impact local municipalities and consumers in Nevada?" When the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was passed, few imagined the explosion in wireless and broadband technologies that has since revolutionized the communications industry. In 1996, very few of us could imagine the idea of making phone calls over cable or the … [Read more...] about Reform of Telecom Laws: Needed to Boost Economic Growth

Clark County’s only public, non-profit hospital, University Medical Center (UMC), faces many challenges. It serves the medical needs of Clark County, parts of California, Utah and Arizona, as well as millions of visitors. Las Vegas had a population of only 4,000 when UMC was established in 1931, but the metropolitan area is now home to almost 2 million people, with more … [Read more...] about University Medical Center: Expanding to Meet Community Needs

Bank of Nevada was founded by several prominent business people, including John S. Gaynor, vice chairman, president and chief executive officer, whose banking and financial career spans more than 35 years. With a vision to create a bank that would not be all things to all people, Gaynor and 44 full-time employees credit the bank’s target marketing and personalized services as … [Read more...] about Bank of Nevada: Celebrating Five Years of Success