As Presidential candidates make their way to Nevada, the economy will undoubtedly be among their talking points, and in the West, the future of the economy has much to do with land. The issue of land ownership is perhaps nowhere more important than in Nevada, which is overwhelmingly hogtied by the federal government. Holding title to over 81 percent of Nevada land, the … [Read more...] about The Issue of Land: A Key Discussion for Nevada’s Future
Businesses Needed for Scholarship Program: At No Net Cost to Firms, Donations will Improve the Lives of Students
Despite the spin from some, Nevada business people care deeply about education in Nevada and routinely donate millions towards K-12 and higher education. Unfortunately, politicians also routinely force “contributions” by raising taxes, including the largest tax hike in Nevada history during the last legislative session. For decades, business owners and employees have paid … [Read more...] about Businesses Needed for Scholarship Program: At No Net Cost to Firms, Donations will Improve the Lives of Students
Learning the Minimum Wage Lesson
Nevada doesn’t have to learn the hard way when it comes to raising the minimum wage It’s always better to learn from someone else’s mistakes before being affected by those mistakes personally. Seattle didn’t have this luxury when its city council voted last year to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour, making it the municipality with the highest minimum wage in the … [Read more...] about Learning the Minimum Wage Lesson
Death and Taxes: With Some Revision, Sandoval’s Tax Hikes Not Necessary
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” — Benjamin Franklin Had Benjamin Franklin been living in 21st century Nevada, his famous quote might have read something like this: In Nevada, nothing seems certain, except death and tax increases. It appears that — regardless of who is elected, which party holds the majority, or how hard those in … [Read more...] about Death and Taxes: With Some Revision, Sandoval’s Tax Hikes Not Necessary
Green Schools Not Right for Nevada
As districts begin to build new schools, they should focus on kids, not environmental activists New school buildings are coming to Nevada, and if recent years are any indication, the push to build those schools to “green” standards will be as strong as the push that led lawmakers to authorize 10 additional years of bonding without voter approval to fund the construction of … [Read more...] about Green Schools Not Right for Nevada
Stop the Insanity of Runaway Education Spending
Wholesale reform needed to improve Nevada education Anyone who has had an appliance break, a vehicle die or a computer fail knows the inevitable realization that paying for repair after repair no longer makes sense. No matter how many fixes are made, nothing can be successfully repaired into eternity. For some things, initial fixes make sense. One might get another year … [Read more...] about Stop the Insanity of Runaway Education Spending
Retiring in the Lap of Taxpayer-Funded Luxury
How pensions in Nevada are often better than paychecks Know a public employee in Nevada who is looking for a pay raise? Tell him to retire. According to a new analysis made possible by the court-ordered release of Nevada’s Public Employee Retirement System payment records, once-public employees in the Silver State are making golden pensions — so generous that their … [Read more...] about Retiring in the Lap of Taxpayer-Funded Luxury
Minimum-Wage Hikes: The Path to Poverty for Poor People
Presumably, State Senator Tick Segerblom thinks his proposal to increase the minimum wage to $15-per-hour in Nevada would be beneficial. After all, it sounds appealing to double the pay of fast-food workers and other entry-level workers with one wave of the government’s mandate wand. As businessmen and women know firsthand, however, there’s a big difference between good … [Read more...] about Minimum-Wage Hikes: The Path to Poverty for Poor People
An Educated Workforce Begins with Empowered Parents
Study Offers 33 Ways to Boost Nevada Students’ Achievement with No Net Increase in Spending One of the most dangerous phrases in the English language is, “Because we’ve always done it this way.” It’s a phrase that could cost a company millions of dollars in missed opportunities. But what if someone said it about a child: “She’s not doing well in school, but nothing will … [Read more...] about An Educated Workforce Begins with Empowered Parents
Why Government Shouldn’t Pick Winners and Losers: City Council Considering Plan to Subsidize Private Arena Developer
Imagine watching an NBA game. With the Los Angeles Lakers leading the Boston Celtics 95 to 82 in the fourth quarter, the referees stop the game and award the Celtics 15 of the Lakers’ points and make the score 97 to 80 with the Celtics now leading. That would be outrageous and unjust, wouldn’t it? The Lakers earned their points, and it would be wrong for the … [Read more...] about Why Government Shouldn’t Pick Winners and Losers: City Council Considering Plan to Subsidize Private Arena Developer