Commentary

Dear Readers, As you read through this issue of Nevada Business Magazine, you’ll  notice a number of changes in content and design….we’ve even changed our name.  Nevada Business Magazine (Formerly Nevada Business Journal) has been the only statewide business magazine for almost a quarter of a century. And while our mission to inform, connect and engage business leaders … [Read more...] about Publisher’s Letter: New Name, New Design, Same Team

Those of us who lived in Nevada in 2002 remember when medical malpractice insurance premiums were so high that physicians were leaving Nevada in droves. Doctors refused to move here from other states, and high-risk specialists like obstetricians moved away or stopped delivering babies. The situation became so critical that the governor called an emergency legislative … [Read more...] about Legislators Reconsider Medical Malpractice Bill

The union leaders and political activists behind the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) must be having a good laugh at the expense of folks who actually believe it offers free choice to employees. What’s not so funny is that this dangerous piece of legislation stands a good chance of passing in Congress this spring unless the business community takes immediate action. This … [Read more...] about Employee Free Choice Act: Don’t let the name fool you

If you suddenly discovered your household income for 2009 would be about 30 percent less than what you had budgeted to spend, what would you do? Wouldn’t you sit down with your family and look for ways to drastically cut expenses? This is the same situation the state of Nevada is in, but when Governor Jim Gibbons proposed making painful cuts to the state budget for the … [Read more...] about Tough Times, Tough Choices: Governor’s Budget Deserves Support

No one was surprised to hear the news in December that the U.S. is officially in a recession, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). It’s no secret that the housing market and the stock market are at their lowest levels in years, credit is tight, unemployment is rising and consumers and businesses are hunkering down and trying to wait out the worst of … [Read more...] about The Great Depression of ‘09? Don’t buy into the hype

Voters are being told by leaders on the left (including Nevada’s own Harry Reid) that embryonic stem cell research offers hope for curing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s and may eventually help people with spinal cord injuries walk again. They want voters to approve legislation to allow federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells. It’s true that researchers … [Read more...] about Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Who Does It Really Benefit?

The Nevada Department of Education recently reported that more than half the schools in the state (53 percent) failed to meet the "adequate yearly progress" standards of the federal No Child Left Behind Act for the 2004-2005 school year. Out of the 608 schools evaluated, only five were named "exemplary" and only 52 received a "high achieving" ranking. More than 27 percent were … [Read more...] about Business Success Requires Accountability & Competition: What about Public Education?

In our December 2004 issue, I pledged to report regularly on how Senator Harry Reid is representing our state and our nation. He has a difficult job, trying to represent Nevada, while being pressured as the official voice of the Democrat party, which has fallen under the control of an extreme liberal faction. So, after four months serving as Senate Minority Leader, how’s he … [Read more...] about Harry Reid: Peacemaker or Warmonger?

In recent weeks and months we’ve seen some name changes, all in hopes of winning the race for the buying public’s dollar. In Southern California, it’s a battle over which baseball team can win the most dollars at the turnstile. Even though the Anaheim Angels were the baseball team with the third-highest attendance in the major leagues (the New York Yankees were No. 1 and the … [Read more...] about “Progressives” or Just The Same Old Liberals?

When Gov. Guinn called a press conference to propose that Nevadans get a rebate on their DMV fees because of a surplus in the state budget, the immediate reaction in most households was a happy one: "Oh boy! We’ll have an extra $300 to spend this summer." Now that we’ve had a little while to consider, this "answer" to the state’s situation only raises more questions. The … [Read more...] about Governor Guinn’s Tax Rebate Plan: Is It the Right Answer?

Now that Harry Reid has been chosen Senate Minority Leader, I’d like to congratulate him on achieving this lofty position. It’s a long way from Searchlight to the Senate, and he’s worked hard for it. He now faces a daunting job as leader of the Senate’s Democratic caucus, and will have to make choices every day that will affect the direction this country will take. It’s a big … [Read more...] about The Man from Searchlight: Now in the Spotlight

It’s often hard to sort out the facts from the smoke and mirrors during presidential campaigns, and veteran politicians know that if a lie is repeated often enough, it can eventually pass for the truth. A friend recently forwarded an e-mail to me that I think helps put facts into perspective during this election year. After checking it for accuracy, I am printing some of it … [Read more...] about Separating Truth from Fiction: Facts to Ponder During Campaign Season

At this time of year, it’s traditional to make resolutions for the New Year. In that spirit, here are some suggestions for New Year’s Resolutions for some people you probably know: Nevada ranchers: Resolve to keep up the good fight to preserve our way of life. Carole Villardo (Nevada Taxpayers Union): Resolve to keep looking out for the interests of Nevada … [Read more...] about New Year’s Resolutions: For Nevadans We All Know

Electronic commerce has made it possible to purchase virtually anything from the privacy of your own home. But many people still hesitate to use their credit cards to make electronic purchases. While their fears are based on solid rea­soning, purchases on the Internet may be the least of their worries. Even if you never use your credit card, the fact that you have one puts … [Read more...] about Consumers Have a Right to Financial Privacy