Energy, Government Spending, Labor, Regulation/Economic Development

In case you missed it…

John Tsarpalas

Energy policy

Given the complexity of the Question 3 issue on Nevada’s ballot this year, it’s not surprising that confusion is rampant. Writing for NPRI’s Nevada Journal, Josh King tries to bring some light to the issue by looking at what has worked (and failed) in other states. He points out, however, that at the end of the day these policy details aren’t even on the ballot. Question 3, far from deciding specific policy, merely instructs state lawmakers to eliminate NV Energy’s government-guaranteed monopoly and move the state toward a free and competitive market. It’s an interesting and illuminating piece. (Read more)

 

Economics

Where the Silver State is Number One in the nation: Nevada local government workers — measured as a percentage of private-sector earnings — were by far the highest paid in the country last year, according to newly released census data. At $58,644, the median earnings for local government workers in Nevada were 46 percent greater than the $40,259 received by Nevada’s private-sector workers — a disparity that was by far the largest nationwide. It’s an important factor to remember the next time government officials start clamoring for a tax increase. (Read Nevada Policy’s analysis here)

 

Employee Freedom

In theory, a union representing public-sector employees is supposed to demonstrate that it has support from more than half of the workforce it wants to represent. In many unions throughout the state, however, it seems pretty clear the union has nowhere near majority support from the workers it represents. Of the nearly 400 support-staff employees in the Elko County School District, for example, only about 80 pay annual dues to the union — far from a demonstrated majority. This is precisely why workers should have the ability to periodically and regularly vote on what union, if any, represents them in negotiations. Despite unions’ constant claim to be the voice of workers, there’s nothing pro-worker about denying employees a genuine voice in their unions. (Read more)

 

Federalism

“Free” federal money for state projects is something politicians of all stripes like to brag about endlessly. It seems as if, each year, local governments and agencies clamor for their chance to get more “free” money from Washington D.C. in the forms of federal grants. And yet, just how “free” is the money? Not only do federal grants often come with ridiculous strings attached, but they incentivize both local and federal politicians and bureaucrats to evade responsibility for the funded projects. What results is a massive U.S. spending problem, an absence of local control and a distinct inability to hold accountable those busy wasting our hard-earned tax dollars. (Read more)

John Tsarpalas

John Tsarpalas

President

John Tsarpalas is the President of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, and is deeply committed to spreading limited government ideas and policy to create a better, more prosperous Nevada for all.

For over three decades, John has educated others in the ideals and benefits of limited government. In the 1980s, John joined the Illinois Libertarian Party and served on its State Central Committee. Later in the 90s, he transitioned to the Republican Party, and became active in the Steve Forbes for President Campaign and flat taxes.

In 2005, he was recruited to become the Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party where he graduated from the Republican National Committee’s Campaign College, the RNC’s Field Management School, and the Leadership Institute’s activist training.

Additionally, John has served as President of the Sam Adams Alliance and Team Sam where he did issue education and advocacy work in over 10 states, with a focus on the web.

John also founded or helped start the following educational not-for-profits: Think Freely Media, the Haym Salomon Center – where he served as Chairman, the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity and Midwest Speaking Professionals.

A native of Chicago, John now lives in Las Vegas with his wife of more than 40 years.