Labor, Regulation/Economic Development, Taxes

In case you missed it…

John Tsarpalas

2019 Legislative Session

Bills continue to be introduced, as we approach deadlines in Nevada’s 80th Legislative session. Once again, we’ve added a few things to our Online Bill Tracker that every Nevadan should be watching. Click here, and keep up to date!

 

Government spending

School construction projects are about to get a lot more expensive. Every Democrat in Nevada’s Assembly chamber is co-sponsoring Assembly Bill 136, which would require all public schools, colleges and charter schools to pay full union-level rates for construction projects — that is, rates significantly higher than normal market rates. Even government knows this will raise the cost of construction anywhere from $25 million to roughly $44 million. (Click here to read more) The fact that Democrats have whole-heartedly supported these increased costs for Nevada public schools is especially telling, given their regular condemnation of educational choice programs for allegedly “taking money away from public schools.” As it turns out, the prevailing-wage burden they’re imposing means a far bigger hit to dollars in the public-school classrooms than would result from letting some students access the alternative educational options their families would prefer. (Read more)

 

The Green New Deal

The “Green New Deal” proposal being thrown around by some high-profile national Democrats has received plenty of ridicule and opposition. Surprisingly, however, one of the interest groups most vehemently opposed to the far-left policy wish-list is a traditional Democrat ally: Organized labor. In a letter to the deal’s authors, the heads of two AFL-CIO unions called the proposal neither achievable nor realistic. “We will not accept proposals that could cause immediate harm to millions of our members and their families,” said the two presidents. “We will not stand by and allow threats to our members’ jobs and their families’ standard of living go unanswered.” (Read more)

 

Labor Unions

Speaking of organized labor, it turns out that, within the ranks of one of the nation’s largest labor unions, some trouble’s brewing. The Service Employee International Union (SEIU) is facing a strike from its own workers. Workers allege SEIU managers have been outsourcing union work to non-union contractors, cutting the size of SEIU’s unionized workforce and even engaging in such anti-union behavior as “union busting.” The feelings that the union treated its employees unfairly was, apparently, widespread. An overwhelming majority (92 percent) of workers recently voted to approve the strike against the union. (Read more)

 

Criminal Justice

Civil Asset Forfeiture generated more than $2.2 million for the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. That’s more than $2 million worth of cars, cash or other valuables seized by authorities who asserted the assets were connected to criminal activity. The key word there, is “asserted.” Civil Asset Forfeiture doesn’t actually require the property owner to be charged with a crime, let alone convicted. And therein lies the problem: The system — a system that allows police to seize property without the burden of proving criminal wrongdoing — is ripe for abuse. Luckily, the Supreme Court recently put some limitations on the practice, but far more needs to be done to protect citizens here in the Silver State. (Read more)

John Tsarpalas

John Tsarpalas

President

John Tsarpalas is the President of the Nevada Policy, 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.