In case you missed it…

Public employee pensions:

The American Academy of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries abruptly killed a longstanding task force of top pension experts Monday, when a task force paper suggested public-sector pensions should follow the same real-world accounting rules as private pension plans. Apparently common-sense reform wasn’t ever supposed to be on the table. (Read more)

 

Tax policy:

United States Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says the IRS shouldn’t tax Olympic athletes for the cash prizes they win in Rio, because athletes train hard to become successful at the games. “Our athletes deserve thanks and praise, not a bill from the IRS,” said Schumer. Judging by his voting record, however, Schumer seems to have no problem voting for higher tax bills on everyone else who works hard to become successful, such as business people, workers and investors. (Read more)

 

Solar energy:

The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled unanimously against a ballot question that could have restored solar’s net metering subsidy in Nevada. The court said the “description of effect” on the petition was “not only inaccurate and misleading, but also argumentative.” (Read more)

 

National Employee Freedom Week:

The Nevada Policy Research Institute will, once again, be spearheading National Employee Freedom Week, August 14 – 20. This year will be even more important than in the past, as labor unions launch court fights to prevent members from dropping union membership. (Read more)

 

Federal lands:

The fact that the federal government controls a high percentage of land in the western United States isn’t just an inconvenience for citizens — it actually violates rights guaranteed them by the Constitution. For millions of people who live in the West, where most of the land is controlled by the feds, “equal protection” under the law is only theoretical. In practice, we’re subjected to a very different set of rules and regulations than citizens in other states. (Read more)