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...]
Time to Drain the LVCVA Swamp
If you caught an employee using company funds for personal use, would you pay him to retire, give him a fat performance bonus and let him continue working for you as a highly paid consultant? Not in a million years. Yet, that’s exactly what the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has done with CEO Rossi Ralenkotter, who recently received a retirement package … [Read more...]
What Does PERS Have to Hide? Over $1.8 Billion of Public Money Each Year
Nevada’s Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) has a history of protecting their data and blocking the public’s access to information, even though the public (you and I) are footing the hefty bill of almost $2 billion a year. That’s more than 10 percent of state and local government’s combined own-source revenue, and the second highest percentage in the nation. It’s bad … [Read more...]
Theft Through Paperwork: SOS Filings and Business Fraud
For the past several years, and for as little as $150, you too could own the business of your dreams. Of course, you’ll need to steal it and, if you’re caught, it’s a felony violation. However, the possibility of arrest for a category-C felony hasn’t deterred criminals who contact Nevada’s Secretary of State’s (SOS) for nefarious reasons. Would-be business thieves, through a … [Read more...]
The Dumbing Down of Our Education System – Governor Sandoval Leads the Way in Nevada
Governor Sandoval, in late April this year, filed an emergency regulation to provide relief for Nevada teachers who are in jeopardy of losing their jobs by failing to complete a state-mandated course. The regulation indicates that, “affected employees will have two more years to fulfill the requirement,” according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article. What message is he and … [Read more...]
Nevada’s Charter Schools Just May Be the Answer
For those of us in business, it should come as no surpise that privately run charter schools are out performing traditional government run schools, by a landslide. We’re all frustrated with our state’s dismal ranking in education. Did you know that, according to a report by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, in 2014 Nevada’s charter schools moved up nine spots in … [Read more...]
The Answer to Senseless Killing and Maiming: The Evil That Surrounds Us
Finding the answer to senseless killing, whether it be instigated by children or adults, lies much deeper than the media and our culture would have us believe. It’s not about the weapons used. To find a solution to these horrific attacks, we must dig deeper and get to the root of what’s causing all this evil. We need go back to the fundamentals of life. What is right and what … [Read more...]
The New “Game” Plan: Professional Sports in Nevada – Game On!
Beginning this month, you will notice a new department in Nevada Business Magazine. Entitled “Game On”, this feature will cover the business of sports in the Silver State. Starting with a focus on the Vegas’ Golden Knights hockey team, “Game On” will comprehensively report on the businesses and lifestyles of major players in this emerging industry. From the Ultimate Fighting … [Read more...]
The Bundy Trial: Fighting the Feds
Now that the Cliven Bundy trial has ended with a victory (at least temporarily) for the Bunkerville rancher, it’s time to ask what we can learn from this David-and-Goliath battle between a small businessman and the federal government. Bundy had been running his cattle on federal land for many years, but in 1993 he stopped paying grazing fees to protest a BLM directive that … [Read more...]
A Wolf in Republican Clothing: The Dean Heller Dilemma
How do you solve a problem like Senator Dean Heller? He was elected on a conservative platform, touting conservative values and the moral high ground. But, since he was elected, his voting record tells a different story. It’s a common tale in the United States, politicians tell us what we want to hear to get in office and play the game to stay there. Nevada, which was one of … [Read more...]
Commerce Tax Repeal: The Process Begins
Passed during the 2015 legislative session in Nevada, the Commerce Tax, or Senate Bill 483, has been a sore spot for business owners over the past two years. It’s a frustrating tax for several reasons, not the least of which is, the year before, Nevadans voted against a similar tax only to have the legislature push it through the very next year despite majority wishes. Now, … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving’s True Origins: Its Not About Pilgrims and Indians
Most Americans are taught in grade school that Thanksgiving is about pilgrims landing on our shores and Indians sharing their bounty. However, Thanksgiving was not a holiday and we didn’t start celebrating until many years later when President Abraham Lincoln made the following proclamation during the Civil War. Thanksgiving Proclamation It is the duty of nations as well as … [Read more...]
The Axe that Never Fell: Overtime Rule Permanently Invalidated
Last year, business owners across Nevada were facing a serious challenge to employee compensation in the form of changes to the overtime rule. As it stands now, overtime is required for any employee working over 40 hours but provides an exemption for executive, administrative or professional employees. The law is part of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Department of Labor … [Read more...]
The War Wages On: Minimum Wage In Nevada
As the minimum wage debate resonates throughout Nevada, businesses are bracing for, what could be, a substantial increase in minimum wage. This year the state House and Senate separately passed two hastily drawn up laws to increase the minimum wage in Nevada, both of which were ultimately vetoed by the Governor. What they did end up passing was resolution SJR6. The resolution … [Read more...]
Great News: AB 280 Long Over Due
Assembly Bill (AB) 280, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson (D), among others, establishes a preference in bidding for Nevada companies on state contracts. This preference has been sorely needed as we’ve seen Nevadan’s tax dollars go to out-of-state companies for in-state projects. The Bill, which was signed into law on June 13th and went into effect on the first of … [Read more...]
So Long Dave … And Other Nevada Companies
As a long-time Nevadan, I’ve always been proud to say our state is among the nation’s most business friendly. However, with recent legislative action, we’ve lost much of our edge and we can no longer tout Nevada as a beacon for new business. Take for example, my friend Dave, who owns a successful promotional products company. He was courted by economic development officials … [Read more...]
The Blame Game: Voter Fraud in Nevada
In mid-April, Nevada Secretary of State (SOS) Barbara Cegavske made an intriguing, if cryptic, claim in the form of a letter to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) director, Terri Albertson. Cegavske wrote, “Please take appropriate corrective action, as we have reason to believe that non-citizens have unlawfully registered to vote in Nevada as a direct result of DMV’s … [Read more...]
Partner: A Business Leader’s Role in Education
Education has been a hot-button topic for a long time in Nevada, and for good reason. It’s no secret that our educational system is failing by nationally measured metrics. You can chalk it up to non-involved parents, a high population of ESL students or school districts that are simply too large, it doesn’t change the fact that Nevada’s educational system needs major work. … [Read more...]
Here We Go Again: Legislature Poised to Raise Taxes
On the heels of Nevada’s largest tax increase, crafted in 2015, legislators are again looking for additional sources of revenue. This time, it comes in the form of AB 43, which modifies the current law on property tax caps. And it comes at a time when businesses are just starting to recover from the worst recession in recent history. I have an idea. How about our government … [Read more...]
Nevada Piggy Book: Required Reading for Taxpayers
The Nevada Policy Research Institute (NPRI) recently released the 2016 edition of the Nevada Piggy Book. This is good because Nevada taxpayers need to know about government waste, which is an especially important topic while the Legislature is in session. However, it’s also depressing to see these examples of how our hard-earned money is being thrown away by politicians and … [Read more...]
