In case you missed it…

John Tsarpalas

Labor unions

For decades labor unions have largely supported Democrat politicians — regardless of whether or not rank-and-file workers agreed with the party’s platform. At least in Pennsylvania, however, that may soon be changing. “We may have gotten too close to one party,” said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale. Following the presidential election, Bloomingdale went on a “listening tour,” speaking with union members about their political priorities. Apparently, workers have a very different take on politics than the traditional partisan leanings of labor bosses. “I think we were speaking too much at them, rather than having conversations with them,” said Bloomingdale. (Read more)

 

Separation of powers

Ignoring a 2004 AG advisory opinion, a 1967 binding Nevada Supreme Court precedent and the plain language of the state constitution, District Judge James Russell dismissed NPRI’s lawsuit against State Senator Heidi Gansert for violating the state constitution’s separation of powers clause. NPRI’s Center for Justice and Constitutional Litigation Director Joseph Becker explained that “Judge Russell seemed determined to protect a member of the political class, irrespective of what the law says.” As an editorial in the Las Vegas Review-Journal remarked, “Never let it be said that the state’s political establishment doesn’t protect its own.” (Read more)

 

Cronyism

Remember when an unknown electric car start-up named Faraday Future promised to create thousands of jobs if Nevada would just extend a few hundred million dollars’ worth of tax abatements and credits? Well, Nevada lawmakers agreed, and 18 short months later the company has announced it is backing out of the deal. In a commentary for the Daily Signal, Nevada Treasurer Dan Schwartz points out that the failure of the incentive package shouldn’t come as a surprise. According to Schwartz, the Faraday saga is primarily “a story about a Legislature that was so eager to create jobs that it failed in its responsibilities to the citizens of Nevada.” (Read more)

 

Healthcare

Repealing President Obama’s Affordable Care Act is apparently easier said than done. Earlier this week in the Senate, a “repeal and replace” attempt — blasted by free-market advocates as merely a watered-down version of Obamacare — was rejected. Then an attempt to fully repeal Obamacare, without a replacement, failed 45-55. Finally, a last-ditch effort to repeal the bare bones of Obamacare — known as a “skinny” repeal — also failed when three Republican senators decided to vote with Democrats against the measure. (Read more)

 

Government waste and abuse

Apparently, getting fired for serious wrong-doing in governing jobs doesn’t have the same repercussions as it does in the private sector. According to an Inspector General report, of the 2,000 former IRS employees who were hired in 2015 and 2016, about 200 of them had previously been fired for serious offenses, including faking resumes, abusing taxpayer data and cheating on personal tax returns. (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.