State Treasurer Zach Conine, a friend and fellow Nevada Business Magazine columnist, announced Nevada will divest $89 million in securities of companies that profit from the manufacture or sale of “assault-style” weapons. He did not provide a list of such companies but estimated the total value of Nevada’s gun-related holdings at $89 million on June 2, before sharp declines in … [Read more...] about Nevada Firearms Securities Divestiture
Nevada “No Party”Majority Voters and What they Want
Republicans are slowly closing in on Democrats in Nevada voter registration, but the real news is that neither is the largest party. That honor belongs to the rapidly growing numbers of folks who register with “No Party” (NPs), or as Independents, decline to state, etc. Recent in-depth survey research by a private organization has revealed the politics of these voters. (Full … [Read more...] about Nevada “No Party”
Problems for NevadaElectric Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Recently, Governor Steve Sisolak announced Nevada is joining some other states to promote electric big-rig trucks, large pickups, vans, delivery trucks and school and transit buses. This is in addition to prior commitments to electric autos and solar- and wind-powered electric energy. This initiative is based on claims electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable electric … [Read more...] about Problems for Nevada
COVID & Public PolicyPart Two of Two
Last month’s Free Market Watch commentary pointed out problems with Federal, Nevada and many other states’ policy responses to the COVID pandemic. The worst of it was their responses failed to observe the first principle of public policy. Namely, decisions and actions should serve the broad public interest, balancing all relevant factors and not considering only one or a … [Read more...] about COVID & Public Policy
Covid-19 and Public PolicyPart 1 of 2
Governor Steve Sisolak says “the science has changed” regarding Covid-19 and he can now lift mask, vaccination and other mandates. The fundamental problem with the policy response of Nevada, many states and our federal government, especially in regard to public health, is their failure to observe the first principle of public policy. Namely, decisions and actions should serve … [Read more...] about Covid-19 and Public Policy
Economic OutlookNobody Knows Nuthin’
Before COVID and lockdowns, the economy settled into a normalcy after the Great Recession of 2007-09. It was a unique time with record low interest rates and unprecedented Federal Reserve money printing. But monthly indicators moved along trend lines without great drama or many discontinuities, and we seemed to be in a new steady state of normalcy. So, in the 2018 Nevada … [Read more...] about Economic Outlook
Let’s Define BetterThe Damage the Build Back Better Bill Would Do
Key arguments supporting President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better (BBB) tax-and-spend bill have been thoroughly debunked, including some in this space last month. So, let’s examine the major damage it would do to see why Nevada’s congressional representatives should oppose it. Its problems start with misrepresentations by proponents of the facts. Their most outrageous claim … [Read more...] about Let’s Define Better
Economic MobilityKeeping the American Dream Alive
With Nevada’s Congressional delegates facing votes on President Joe Biden’s proposed income tax increases, questions of wealth and income distribution, tax fairness, economic growth and economic mobility have become central in public debate. A study of literature and empirical studies on economic mobility show there is still substantial economic mobility from generation to … [Read more...] about Economic Mobility
Progressivism, the Administrative State and the Public Interest
Ron Knecht is Senior Policy Fellow at Nevada Policy Research Institute As Ben Franklin left the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, he was asked what kind of government we would have. “A Republic,” he replied, “if you can keep it.” The Founders addressed that and other challenges by establishing checks and balances among three branches of the federal … [Read more...] about Progressivism, the Administrative State and the Public Interest