Since the beginning of the recession, the banking and financial industry has been scrutinized and analyzed more than any other. The industry has been accused of everything from irresponsible lending to refusing to lend at all. With all of the misinformation available, executives representing Nevada’s banks recently met at the office of Holland & Hart in Las Vegas to share … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Banking & Finance
Features
Stimulus Projects Give Taxpayers the Blues
When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed in February 2009, President Obama and the Democrats in Congress promised that it would help the economy recover and keep more people employed. Taxpayers were put on the hook for $787 billion worth of pork projects in Congressional districts all across the country, and what results have we seen? The unemployment rate … [Read more...] about Stimulus Projects Give Taxpayers the Blues
Industry Focus: Media
The media industry, like nearly every industry in Nevada, has suffered with the down economy. In addition to facing the challenges of reporting the news in these economic times, media companies also face the onslaught of the next wave of technology and must adapt to these new technologies almost immediately in order to remain competitive in news reporting. Recently, … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Media
Industry Focus: Commercial Real Estate
The commercial real estate industry has suffered a severe downturn in Nevada because of the recession. Each sub-section of commercial real estate, from developers to engineers has experienced a negative impact from the downturn. Executives representing commercial real estate companies recently met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Las Vegas to discuss some of the … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Commercial Real Estate
Reid or Angle? A Critical Choice for Nevada’s Future
Nevada voters go to the polls in November to choose between two candidates to represent our state in the U.S. Senate. I can’t think of a recent election where the choice was more clear-cut, or the stakes higher. Although both Sharron Angle and Harry Reid are courting middle-of-the-road and undecided voters in their quest for victory in Nevada, neither one could be called a … [Read more...] about Reid or Angle? A Critical Choice for Nevada’s Future
Funding the Socialist Vision: Will Nevada Become Another Greece?
We have all watched the situation in Greece, where failed socialist policies caused a fiscal crisis that almost brought down the entire European economy. We’ve also seen California brought to the verge of fiscal collapse by an ever-growing burden of debt and unfunded liabilities. It should be obvious by now that the Democrat party’s vision of cradle-to-grave government … [Read more...] about Funding the Socialist Vision: Will Nevada Become Another Greece?
Industry Focus: Accountants
When trying to conserve funds, many businesses look to their CPA’s for help. Whether through tax breaks or better financial organization, having an accountant that is trustworthy and knows their way around the many changing tax laws is important for all businesses. Recently, executives representing the accounting industry met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Las … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Accountants
Put Local Businesses First: Bidding Preferences Make Sense for Nevada
Did you know that Nevada firms are not given any preference over out-of-state companies on bids to provide goods and services to local government? Existing law does provide a 5 percent preference in bidding on public works and highway construction projects, but that doesn’t help local companies that might want to supply products or provide professional services. Nearly 40 … [Read more...] about Put Local Businesses First: Bidding Preferences Make Sense for Nevada
Industry Focus: Technology
In today’s age, technology is growing faster than anyone can possibly follow. With new, more efficient ways to do things and faster connections to the world around us, technology is the industry to follow. Recently, executives representing technology firms in Nevada met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Las Vegas to discuss some of the issues they face. Connie … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Technology
Clean Water, Dirty Politics: Another Legislative Money Grab
When the Nevada Legislature met in special session in February to plug the $800 million hole in the state’s budget, lawmakers were desperate to “find” enough money to fund state programs. Unfortunately, the Legislature’s creative accounting solutions included a blatant misappropriation of $62 million that wasn’t theirs. This was money that had been collected by the Clean … [Read more...] about Clean Water, Dirty Politics: Another Legislative Money Grab
Industry Focus: Elected Officials
With so much focus being placed on government spending, partisanship, budgets and taxes, elected officials find themselves even more in the spotlight than usual. Recently, elected officials representing Nevada met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Las Vegas to discuss some of the issues they face. Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Magazine, served as … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Elected Officials
Why is the Tail Wagging the Dog? Public Employees as Lawmakers
“The powers of the Government of the State of Nevada shall be divided into three separate departments,—the Legislative,—the Executive and the Judicial; and no persons charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any functions, appertaining to either of the others, except in the cases expressly directed or permitted in this … [Read more...] about Why is the Tail Wagging the Dog? Public Employees as Lawmakers
Industry Focus: Utilities
Nevada’s utilities are facing increased pressure in both the financial and competitive realms due to the economy and the emergence of alternative energy in the state. While the lower price of natural gas has certainly helped, Nevada’s utilities are finding that customer’s expectations are far different than the realities they are facing. Recently, executives representing … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Utilities
Anyone BUT Harry: What has he really done for Nevada?
Faced with poll numbers that show him falling behind in the 2010 Senate election, Senator Harry Reid has already begun claiming that Nevada cannot risk losing him because of the political influence he wields in Washington. As Senate Majority Leader, his powerful position supposedly gives him the clout to bring more jobs and more federal grants to Nevada -- but has Harry been … [Read more...] about Anyone BUT Harry: What has he really done for Nevada?
Industry Focus: Alternative Energy
Alternative energy is a hot-topic in today’s market. Whether through the creation of more jobs or making energy more efficient and cost effective, alternative energy appears to be Nevada’s future. Executives representing several alternative energy companies recently met at the law offices of Holland & Hart in Reno to discuss the issues facing this booming … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Alternative Energy