In 2015, Nevada’s Legislature passed the largest one-time tax increase in Nevada history, $1.2 billion of which was, ostensibly, to boost education funding. Despite the fact that the commerce tax was rejected by voters the previous year, the Legislature and Nevada’s elected leaders chose to unilaterally “fix” education by passing the large tax package. This forced Nevada … [Read more...] about “More Taxes!” – The Teacher Union’s Solution to Education
Archives for October 2018
The Drive: Automobiles in Nevada
Automobile sales in Nevada are following the national trend of keeping steady after years of growth. Following seven years of steady, and at times rapid, increases in sales, volume is beginning to flatline and the future is uncertain, according to multiple car dealership executives in Nevada. In the previous eight years, new car sales had grown by an average of 5 percent … [Read more...] about The Drive: Automobiles in Nevada
Medical Education in Nevada: Progress Made, Long Way to Go
Great strides in expanding medical education in Nevada have been made in the past few years. Yet the effects have been minimal so far and won’t kick in until years in the future. In addition, much more work needs to be done, experts said. “[Medical education] is improved and has a long way to go,” said Shelley Berkley, CEO and senior provost of Touro University’s … [Read more...] about Medical Education in Nevada: Progress Made, Long Way to Go
Industry Focus: CPAs
An asset to any business, CPAs and accountants have a multitude of challenges when it comes to staying on top of new laws and advising their clients. Recently, executives representing this industry met at the Las Vegas office of City National Bank to talk about the changes they’ve seen recently and what is on the horizon. Connie Brennan, publisher and CEO of … [Read more...] about Industry Focus: CPAs
Legal Opinions 2018: Expert Knowledge for Nevada Businesses
Legal Opinions, a Nevada Business Magazine feature for the past seven years, is a compilation of expert knowledge on a variety of topics. Written by attorneys, all of whom are highly educated on their featured topic, this special report is a one-stop resource for executives. Articles in the 2018 edition of Legal Opinions range from marijuana to private equity and healthcare. … [Read more...] about Legal Opinions 2018: Expert Knowledge for Nevada Businesses
Beyond Stark: Nevada’s Lesser-Known Physician Self-Referral Laws
By J. Malcolm DeVoy, Attorney, DeVoy Law Nevada law imposes obligations upon physicians that are under-appreciated and may foil an otherwise effective compliance program. Medical providers are aware of the federal penalties for kickbacks and impermissible self-referrals under the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law, which can include civil monetary penalties, exclusion … [Read more...] about Beyond Stark: Nevada’s Lesser-Known Physician Self-Referral Laws
馬馬虎虎 (“Horse, Horse, Tiger, Tiger”) Avoiding Mediocrity with Your Chinese Clients
By R. Duane Frizell, Esq.1, Attorney, Frizell Law Firm The Chinese say, “horse, horse, tiger, tiger.” Neither one nor the other. Mediocre. An understanding of pertinent issues helps U.S. businesses avoid mediocrity in the important Chinese market. Between 2000 and 2015, Nevada’s Asian population doubled.2 In the U.S. as a whole, from 2007-2015, the number of employees at … [Read more...] about 馬馬虎虎 (“Horse, Horse, Tiger, Tiger”) Avoiding Mediocrity with Your Chinese Clients
Political Discussions in the Workplace
by Jason D. Guinasso, Managing Partner, Hutchison & Steffen Attorneys Political discussions and debate are common at work among managers and employees. Indeed, in today’s polarizing political climate, it seems as if everyone has a political opinion and they are not shy about sharing it. Surprisingly, few companies have a written policy on political discussions and … [Read more...] about Political Discussions in the Workplace
Appellate Courts Increasingly Affirm Trial Court Decisions to Dismiss Lawsuits
By Joel D. Henriod, Partner, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie A current trend in the federal and Nevada appellate courts brings to mind the 1988 fight between Michael Spinks and the reigning heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson. Both were undefeated. It was then the richest fight in history, grossing $70 million, funded largely by pay-per-view fees from over 600,000 households. … [Read more...] about Appellate Courts Increasingly Affirm Trial Court Decisions to Dismiss Lawsuits
The Opportunity Zone Program a Boon to Economic Development and Private Investment
By Kade Miller, Attorney, Snell & Wilmer The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act resulted in the creation of a powerful tax incentive program that is generating considerable interest and activity in the economic development and investment communities. Known as the Opportunity Zone Program (OZ Program), this tax incentive regime is designed to stimulate economic … [Read more...] about The Opportunity Zone Program a Boon to Economic Development and Private Investment
Legal Predictions for the 2019 Marijuana Industry
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” —Nils Bohr, physicist and Nobel laureate By Alicia Ashcraft, Managing Partner, Ashcraft & Barr In last year’s “Legal Opinions” section of Nevada Business Magazine, we made three predictions about Nevada’s marijuana industry. We re-visit those predictions in this article to see how well our prognostication … [Read more...] about Legal Predictions for the 2019 Marijuana Industry
Private Equity Lending: Is It a Good Choice for Business?
By Samuel A. Schwartz, Transactional Attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Prior to the Great Recession, private equity firms were historically devoted to buy outs and smaller loans that traditional banks had no interest in funding. Since that time, according to estimates by the private equity firm Ares Management, nonbanks held more than half a trillion dollars’ worth … [Read more...] about Private Equity Lending: Is It a Good Choice for Business?
Big Government’s Largest Cheerleader Is Itself
Let’s be honest: Both major political parties seem to be fans of growing government. Politicians, however seem to know that most voters aren’t quite as anxious to hike taxes or increase spending. After all, hopeful lawmakers continually promise to make government leaner, trim excess and curb waste in the public sector — and politicians are masters of telling voters what they … [Read more...] about Big Government’s Largest Cheerleader Is Itself
CRE Financing: Evolving with Nevada’s Economy
A tremendous number of loans for commercial real estate (CRE) projects are being sourced and approved in Nevada in what’s described as a robust market being driven by industrial and multi-family properties. “We are seeing a good deal of industrial, including build-to-suit industrial and even some spec type industrial, and we’re seeing a lot of multi-family [apartments] and … [Read more...] about CRE Financing: Evolving with Nevada’s Economy
SNWA Water-Smart ProgramsHelp Businesses Reduce Operating Costs, Prepare for Shortage
With the first declared shortage in the Colorado River’s history expected in 2020, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is offering greater financial incentives to businesses that implement water-efficiency measures. The not-for-profit water agency recently increased both the incentive amount for replacing turf with drip-irrigated plants and the number of square feet … [Read more...] about SNWA Water-Smart Programs