As I’m sure you’ve already heard, just before the end of 2018, President Trump announced that he would be pulling 2,000 American troops from Syria and removing the United States’ presence from the area. The move was motivated by what the President referred to as Isis’ defeat in Syria as well as the cost in terms of U.S. lives and taxpayer money. In mid-December, when announcing … [Read more...] about From the Publisher
Commentary
From the PublisherGun Fight 2019: Legislature Looks to Restrict Second Amendment in Nevada
In today’s world of mass shootings, gun control is a hot topic. Those on the left will tell you that the only way to stop the tide and prevent a madman with a gun from firing into a crowd or a school is to ban guns all together. Common sense should tell you differently. Just because we hope and pray bad or mentally unstable people won’t obtain guns if they’re illegal, doesn’t … [Read more...] about From the Publisher
Outrageous Property Tax Increases on the Horizon: Nevada Legislature Democrats Push SJR14
With the defeat of Question 3 from the most recent election, I believe people are beginning to see the absolute detriment of changing the Nevada constitution in ways that aren’t sustainable. Another hurdle along those same lines that we’ll be facing in the 2019 Legislature is SJR14. While Question 3 was in the final stages of becoming a constitutional amendment, SJR14 is a … [Read more...] about Outrageous Property Tax Increases on the Horizon: Nevada Legislature Democrats Push SJR14
Where’s All the Marijuana Money? Education Funding
Remember when President Obama promised the ACA would lower costs and allow us to keep our providers? We all know how that turned out. It seems the same thing happened with tax revenues from the state’s newest industry – Marijuana. When proponents were touting all the reasons we should legalize the industry, funding education was at the top of the list. A few years later, and … [Read more...] about Where’s All the Marijuana Money? Education Funding
“More Taxes!” – The Teacher Union’s Solution to Education
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
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...] about Time to Drain the LVCVA Swamp
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...] about What Does PERS Have to Hide? Over $1.8 Billion of Public Money Each Year
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...] about Theft Through Paperwork: SOS Filings and Business Fraud
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...] about The Dumbing Down of Our Education System – Governor Sandoval Leads the Way in Nevada
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...] about Nevada’s Charter Schools Just May Be the Answer
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...] about The Answer to Senseless Killing and Maiming: The Evil That Surrounds Us
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...] about The New “Game” Plan: Professional Sports in Nevada – Game On!
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...] about The Bundy Trial: Fighting the Feds
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...] about A Wolf in Republican Clothing: The Dean Heller Dilemma
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...] about Commerce Tax Repeal: The Process Begins
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...] about Thanksgiving’s True Origins: Its Not About Pilgrims and Indians
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...] about The Axe that Never Fell: Overtime Rule Permanently Invalidated
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...] about The War Wages On: Minimum Wage In Nevada
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...] about Great News: AB 280 Long Over Due
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...] about So Long Dave … And Other Nevada Companies