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“Insubordination and bias.” That’s how Kimberley Strassel describes the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the 2016 election in her most recent Wall Street Journal column. Kimberley’s bombshell reporting over the last several months has exposed the vast abuse of power at the FBI during the 2016 election. In June, as the keynote speaker for NPRI’s Annual Celebration, Kimberley shared some of the “inside scoop” directly with the Institute’s supporters. In fact, her appearance was so insightful, and her message so powerful, NPRI has welcomed her back to speak at our Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas on September 20th! Don’t miss the chance to hear Kimberley speak directly to us about the corruption, abuse of power and the political bias that plagues the government on all levels! Don’t miss NPRI’s Anniversary Dinner with Kimberly Strassel, this September in Las Vegas! (Click here for event details.)
Cronyism
Late last week, the Nevada’s Economic Forum was told that state revenues are more than $60 million ahead of forecasts… but most of that will disappear in the next year. The reason why is simple: Tesla has collected more transferable tax credits than expected. Officials had originally anticipated the electric car manufacturer would claim roughly $31 million in tax credits this year. Instead, the company collected more than double the amount, at $73.8 million so far this year. The credits were part of the state’s massive handout to the electric car manufacturer, and it highlights the downside of taxpayer-funded handouts. Click here to read NPRI’s 2016 explanation of how transferable tax credits harm the economy. Today, policymakers are learning this lesson the hard way. (Read more)
Education spending
Across the nation, there has been a heavy emphasis on raising teacher pay. In a number of states, unions went on strike or coordinated “sick outs,” and politicians across the ideological spectrum have responded by considering higher salaries for public educators. Unfortunately, blindly increasing wages is exactly the wrong kind of reform. Rather than throwing more money at the demonstrably broken system, policymakers need to focus on reforming it instead. (Read more)
Educational choice
Florida is adding yet another school-choice program to its already long list of parent-driven education options. In a positive development, it seems as if the controversy and political bickering has somewhat died down in the Sunshine state, and for good reason: Almost half of Florida students currently take advantage of some sort of educational choice option! Increasingly, parents, politicians and voters in Florida no longer really differentiate between “public” or “private” education—the only thing that matters, is whether or not families have access to the kind of education that fits the unique needs of their child — precisely the kind of parent-driven outcome such reforms should encourage. (Read more)
Fiscal and taxes
Just a month after implementing a $275 per-employee tax on companies with annual revenue of $20 million or more, the Seattle City Council wisely decided to walk the proposal back. On Tuesday, the council voted 7-2 to repeal the “head tax,” after more than 45,000 signatures were gathered calling for the measure to be reconsidered. The tax had been sold as a way to solve the city’s massive homelessness problem, but many of the area’s largest employers pointed out that the measure would do little more than discourage investment and hiring at a time when Seattle residents need more of both. (Read more)