Government Spending, Labor, Regulation/Economic Development, Taxes

In case you missed it…

John Tsarpalas

This week in the Nevada legislature

To justify SB224 — also known as the “PERS secrecy” bill — lobbyist Marlene Lockard relied almost entirely on known falsehoods in her official testimony to lawmakers. However, because state law makes it a crime to knowingly misrepresent any fact when testifying before a legislative committee, Nevada Policy recently filed a legal complaint with Legislative Counsel Bureau Director Rick Combs and the attorney general’s office. (Watch the video and learn more about the complaint by clicking here.) Nonetheless, SB224 passed the Senate. What’s noteworthy, however, is the fact that opposition to the bill was actually bipartisan. Not only did every single GOP lawmaker vote against the PERS secrecy bill, but so did two Democrats — one of which was the Democrat senate majority leader, Nicole Cannizzaro! (Read more)

Click here to visit Nevada Policy’s online Legislative Bill Tracker to stay up to date!

 

Taxes

Proponents of new (or higher) taxes always like to point out that “taxes are the price we pay for living in a civilized society.” Well, that would be true if our tax dollars were actually spent effectively or efficiently — and they most certainly are not. In recognition of Tax Day, Reason took a quick look at six small yet infuriating examples of how the federal government wastes our hard-earned money. (Read more)

 

Free speech

Increasingly, activists are targeting businesses that donate to “politically incorrect” causes and campaigns — such as gun rights — by harassing, protesting and boycotting. Now, however, even activist governments are deciding to target businesses that don’t tow the progressive line on sensitive cultural issues. The city of Los Angeles recently passed an ordinance that requires any contractor doing any work for the city to report if it sponsors the National Rifle Association (or even if it merely has contracts with the group) so the city can be sure to only do business with contractors that support the council’s anti-gun agenda. The NRA is, unsurprisingly, suing on First Amendment grounds. (Read more)

 

Environmentalism

The first “Earth Day” took place in 1970 — and since that time, the topic of climate change, global warming and other environmental policies have only become more politically heated. So, maybe it’s worth asking just how much of the apocalyptic climate alarmism that has been used to justify new taxes, increased regulation and bigger government has actually proven itself to be grounded in reality. The answer is, not much. In fact, there have been many doom-and-gloom predictions used by the environmental movement to grow the size and scope of government that have proven to be spectacularly wrong. (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.