Often lost in the debate over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) — the sweeping health care “reform” legislation popularly known as ObamaCare — is the impact it will have on education, public safety and other public services as health insurance subsidies begin to consume a greater share of state spending. Congressional Democrats claimed, when passing … [Read more...] about ObamaCare will Squeeze Education, Other Needs: Nevada Medicaid commitments on track to crowd out alternative priorities
Commentary
Obama’s Israel Policy: A Major Blunder
Anyone who watched Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at their May 20 press conference must have been struck by the contrast between the two men. Netanyahu led an elite combat unit and fought in the Yom Kippur War. He worked as a business consultant and as an executive for a furniture company and he has served his country for almost 30 years in several … [Read more...] about Obama’s Israel Policy: A Major Blunder
Large Tax Increase Traded for Small Reforms: Tax Issues Define Legislative Session
For the first 108 days of the 2011 Nevada Legislative Session, Gov. Brian Sandoval defined the policy debate by being a strong advocate for Nevada’s taxpayers and business owners. On May 26 however, the Nevada Supreme Court correctly ruled that state government couldn’t take $62 million from the Clean Water Coalition and transfer that money to the state’s general fund. The … [Read more...] about Large Tax Increase Traded for Small Reforms: Tax Issues Define Legislative Session
Senator Dean Heller: Facing the Challenges Ahead
In representing Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, Dean Heller voted his conscience as a staunch fiscal conservative, and on several occasions seemed to be the sole voice of reason among the Nevada delegation. Now that Gov. Sandoval has appointed him to take over John Ensign’s Senate seat, a special election will take place on Sept. 12 to fill the congressional seat vacated … [Read more...] about Senator Dean Heller: Facing the Challenges Ahead
Saluting Family-Owned Businesses: Helping Those that Help Themselves
This issue of Nevada Business Magazine recognizes a group of remarkable home grown companies and the families that have made them successful. Unlike large corporations or governments, these businesses operate without a safety net. Their success is based on long hours, hard work and determination. As they strive to create a legacy for future generations, family-owned businesses … [Read more...] about Saluting Family-Owned Businesses: Helping Those that Help Themselves
A Model of Failure: A New Study Exposes the Law Behind Nevada’s Educational Woes
If you were to build a business enterprise from scratch, you’d likely consider a number of different models — various ways to strike a proper balance between necessarily competing objectives. For example, while you would probably seek to offer competitive salaries or wages to your employees, you would also be mindful of the need to limit your overhead costs. Your goal, … [Read more...] about A Model of Failure: A New Study Exposes the Law Behind Nevada’s Educational Woes
School Vouchers: Could they be the answer for Nevada?
It’s no secret that Nevada’s education system is in trouble: our high school graduation rate of 41.8 percent is the lowest in the nation, and less than one-third of our minority students achieve a diploma on time. And the list of discouraging statistics goes on. The education crisis has produced a widespread ripple effect of negative consequences, not only for an entire … [Read more...] about School Vouchers: Could they be the answer for Nevada?
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
Balancing the State Budget: Hold the Line on Taxes
Think your job is difficult? How’d you like to be the one in charge of balancing Nevada’s budget - filling a gap between expenses and revenues that’s expected to reach $2.5 billion over the next two years? Governor Brian Sandoval is required by law to present a balanced budget to the Legislature, which he has done by crafting a series of concrete proposals that will take … [Read more...] about Balancing the State Budget: Hold the Line on Taxes
An Open Letter to Dr. Neal Smatresk, President of UNLV
Dr. Smatresk; I recently heard your presentation at a NAIOP breakfast meeting. And, while I do serve on the board of that organization, this letter is not written on their behalf as it reflects my personal observations, albeit the sentiments are likely reflective of Nevada’s business community. By way of background, I’ve lived in Southern Nevada since 1977 and am a … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Dr. Neal Smatresk, President of UNLV
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
Caution: Gerrymandering Ahead
The official results of the 2010 Census brought good news for Nevada. Because of our rapid population growth between 2000 and 2010, we have been allotted a fourth congressional seat, giving us more clout in Congress as well as another vote in the Electoral College. But before all that happens, the Nevada Legislature has to redraw the lines of the three existing districts to … [Read more...] about Caution: Gerrymandering Ahead
It’s Time to Stop: Wasteful Government Spending
Tax consumers on the government payroll have been trying their best to convince Nevadans that raising taxes is the only solution to balancing the state budget, because there’s no possible way spending can be reduced any further. Are you willing to take their word for it, or would you like a second opinion? Luckily, we do have another source of information about how our tax … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Stop: Wasteful Government Spending
Political Integrity… A thing of the past?
For better or worse, by the time you read this, the 2010 mid-term elections will be over. It’s everyone’s hope that those who will soon take office will display more integrity as our elected officials than they did during their political campaigns. I recall a time in Nevada when politicians spent more time touting their accomplishments and platforms than they did smearing … [Read more...] about Political Integrity… A thing of the past?
Reid or Angle in November? The Choice is Clear
Despite all his posturing about the good he’s done for Nevada as Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid has presided over the systematic destruction of the U.S. economy, and intends to keep right on with his harmful policies if he is re-elected. It’s up to Nevada voters to make sure this doesn’t happen, by voting for Sharron Angle on November 2. Sharron Angle has always stood … [Read more...] about Reid or Angle in November? The Choice is Clear