
In case you missed it…
Energy policy
Given the complexity of the Question 3 issue on Nevada’s ballot this year, it’s not surprising that confusion is rampant. A new article for NPRI’s Nevada Journal tries to bring some light to the issue by looking at what has worked (and failed) in other states. It 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)