In case you missed it…

Education:

Declining standards in education are having a real impact on students’ ability to succeed after high school. Far less than half of high school students — only 37 percent according to the latest study — are adequately prepared for college by the time they graduate. This shows a distinct downward trend in recent years. Clearly, the status quo of throwing more money at public education, and praying for better results, just isn’t cutting it. (Read more)

Taxes and fiscal:

Supporters of Nevada’s new gross receipts tax say that repealing the Commerce Tax would create a hole in the state’s budget. In reality, it will do no such thing. Because of when the taxes are collected, 2016’s revenues will remain untouched — giving the 2017 legislature plenty of time to adjust for the change during their normal legislative session. (Read more)

Labor and business:

Many employees prize flexible hours over many other benefits offered by employers. Employers also find such flexibility to be a benefit, as it often increases the company’s ability to attract and retain quality talent. But with President Obama’s latest regulations nearing final approval, these private agreements between bosses and their employees might soon be a thing of the past. The new overtime rules sought by the administration would give government the ability to micromanage how, when and even if certain salaried employees are allowed to readjust their schedule. (Read more)

National defense:

Since its creation, The Department of Homeland Security has seen its share of waste, abuse and even fraud — all while the department has ballooned in size. Even more surprising, however, is the agency’s obsessive focus on “climate change.” Since 2010 the agency has produced over 10 separate documents on climate change, and has even listed it as a “major security risk” in the key strategic document for the department. (Read more)

Federal lands:

For far too long federal bureaucrats in Washington have controlled over 80 percent of Nevada’s lands. Allegedly, its vast resources make Washington a more suitable manager then locals. However, that has not proven to be true and has left locals suffering from mismanagement. Federal agencies have failed to curb the wild horse issue throughout northeastern Nevada — decimating land that would otherwise be available to ranchers for grazing permits.  (Read more)

Sharon J. Rossie, 

NPRI President