It’s one of the most challenging questions facing labor economists today: At what level should most public employees be paid? In public sector employment, the typical price signals that help determine wage rates in competitive labor markets are absent. After all, most government agencies do not compete in an open labor market wherein they must also provide quality goods to … [Read more...] about How much is too much?: Government wages are extravagant and arbitrary
Taxes, Taxes & Taxes… Oh My!: Lawmakers trying to poach more from private industry
“Revenue solutions” are the talk of Carson City as the Nevada Legislature heads into its final week. Unsatisfied with Gov. Brian Sandoval’s newest proposals to hold state spending in the next budget cycle at a similar level to the current budget cycle, majority Democrats are pressing for more taxes on Silver State businesses, workers and consumers. These tax increases would … [Read more...] about Taxes, Taxes & Taxes… Oh My!: Lawmakers trying to poach more from private industry
Unions Prevail, While Most Nevadans Struggle: Prevailing wage laws cost taxpayers billions
In the 2011 Nevada Legislature, lawmakers in the majority are again carrying water for organized trade unions — from the Keynesian “jobs fund” proposal to the mercantilist “Nevada Jobs First” proposal. Longtime Nevada residents know this is nothing new. It began in the 1930s, when legislators first adopted the state’s prevailing wage requirements on public works … [Read more...] about Unions Prevail, While Most Nevadans Struggle: Prevailing wage laws cost taxpayers billions
A Silver Lining Among the Storm Clouds: Recession drives better state budgeting practices
They say there’s a silver lining to every cloud. And Nevada currently faces a big cloud. Nevada is suffering through its deepest economic recession in generations. Its unemployment rate lingers above 14 percent — highest in the nation. If discouraged and underemployed workers is included, as was the practice during the Great Depression, Nevada’s effective unemployment rate … [Read more...] about A Silver Lining Among the Storm Clouds: Recession drives better state budgeting practices