Against a persistent backdrop of brutal budget cuts, shrinking revenues and heightened expectations, K-12 educators in Nevada continue to explore and implement innovative solutions to the challenges they face in the state’s schools. “We’re in the new normal now with the expectation that we’ll have to do more with less,” says Heath Morrison, superintendent of Washoe County … [Read more...] about Education Outlook: Weathering the Storm
Archives for March 2012
Tax Issues: Beyond the Numbers
Taxes are on a lot of people’s minds this time of year. Taxes mean grumbling and money out of pockets and coffers, whether an individual’s or a business’. But taxes also mean services, at all levels of government, from federal to local. In the stressed and struggling Nevada economy, as tax season threatens on the horizon, there are inevitable questions. Is Nevada still … [Read more...] about Tax Issues: Beyond the Numbers
Industry Focus: Investment Firms
The financial services industry has experienced a few rough years but, like many other industries, is beginning to see a bit of a turn-a-round. With individuals beginning to show an interest in wise investments and a slow unclenching of funds, the financial industry is poised for a good year. Connie Brennan, publisher of Nevada Business Magazine, served as moderator for the … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: Investment Firms
Alternative Energy: Still Energetic?
With the economy still languishing and no dramatic change in sight, questions need to be asked: Is the green movement retaining the fervor it had seen in the past? Does alternative energy have a shot at becoming a diversifying factor for Nevada? How will the movement ultimately affect Nevada’s diversity base? Are the jobs there for the long run? Does the industry stand on its … [Read more...] about Alternative Energy: Still Energetic?
Stop the Union Bullying: Culinary Tactics Hurt Us All
Leaders of the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas must be frustrated that they can’t convince Station Casinos workers to unionize. Think of all the dues they could be collecting right now, if only they could get their hands into the pockets of another 13,000-plus workers. They’ve been trying for more than 10 years to unionize Station employees, without success. Maybe Station … [Read more...] about Stop the Union Bullying: Culinary Tactics Hurt Us All
Stay Connected During the Unexpected: Effective Planning Can See Your Business Through a Disaster
Floods and earthquakes – as well as wildfires that too often plague the Southwest – are a very real reminder of how the unexpected can impact not only communities, but also the businesses in those communities. Planning for emergency communication should be done before a crisis happens, and it is important to take the time to ensure you and the business are well … [Read more...] about Stay Connected During the Unexpected: Effective Planning Can See Your Business Through a Disaster
Michael V. Cristalli: Gordon Silver Attorneys & Counselors at Law
Shareholder Las Vegas Number of Employees: 43 Years in Nevada: 17 Years with Company: 3 months How did you first get into your profession? My mother was a judicial executive assistant for 30 years. As a child, I was always around the law, meeting lawyers and judges and hanging out in the law library. The law became a natural environment for me. I was always the most … [Read more...] about Michael V. Cristalli: Gordon Silver Attorneys & Counselors at Law
March 2012: Around the State
Governor to Head Trade Mission to Israel The Governor’s Office of Economic Development has announced that Governor Brian Sandoval will lead a Nevada trade mission to Israel in mid-May. The trade mission will include opportunities to discuss the technologies that Nevada and Israel are pursuing to expand their water supplies for residential and commercial needs. Other areas of … [Read more...] about March 2012: Around the State
Series LLCs: Protect Your Investment
With home prices at historic lows, and mortgage interest rates around 4%, real estate investment is on the rise. If you own (or are considering owning) multiple rental properties, consider starting a series LLC (“Series LLC”) to maximize liability protection and save costs. Since the creation of limited liability companies (“LLCs”), an owner of multiple real estate … [Read more...] about Series LLCs: Protect Your Investment
Office Summary: Fourth Quarter 2011
Las Vegas The office sector’s performance continues to struggle as pricing fell amid a continued supply-demand imbalance. Rising three-tenths of one percent from the prior quarter, the vacancy rate reached yet another all-time high at 25.3 percent by the close of the fourth quarter of 2011. For the year, the vacancy rate climbed 1.5 percentage points. Despite weak market … [Read more...] about Office Summary: Fourth Quarter 2011
March 2012: Business Indicators
U.S. real GDP grew at an annualized rate of 2.8 percent during fourth quarter 2011, which represents a gain over the third-quarter figure of 1.8 percent. Consumption spending and inventory investment were particularly strong. Residential investment showed stronger growth, but business fixed investment slowed. U.S. nonfarm employment rose by 243,000 jobs in January, and the … [Read more...] about March 2012: Business Indicators
What keeps you up at night?
“My children. Not so much in the traditional sense of making sure they’re safe and sound, but in the sense of their well being if something happened to my wife and I. We’re currently in the process of drafting our estate documents; designating guardians for our young children is of upmost importance at this stage.” Justin Thomas, CFP® • Shareholder/Wealth Advisor, TCI Wealth … [Read more...] about What keeps you up at night?