Andy Matthews
A new chapter
I still remember when I wrote my first letter to you as NPRI’s president back in October 2011._x000D_
Week in review: spreading the word
Every week, NPRI President Andy Matthews writes a column for NPRI's week-in-review email. If you are not getting our emails, which contain our latest commentaries and news stories,…
Courage and cowardice
This week, we saw two very opposite sides of government: the side that values individual rights above the power of the state, and the side that thinks government power trumps any freedoms the people ostensibly have. _x000D_
Week in review: It’s that time
I’ve had unions on the brain quite a bit lately, and understandably so._x000D_ _x000D_ For starters, Wednesday marked the beginning of the teacher union opt-out period for most of Nevada’s counties. From July 1-15, public school teachers belonging to Nevada State Education Association affiliates can choose to save hundreds of dollars a year (currently taken from them in the form of union dues) by walking away from their union._x000D_
Teachers union assists NPRI
I must say, Nevada’s teacher union honchos have disappointed me this time._x000D_ _x000D_ Surely they can do better than this._x000D_ _x000D_ Can’t they?_x000D_
Warning
Nearly 200 NPRI supporters gathered at the Eldorado in Reno on Wednesday night for our fourth annual Spring Celebration. We were there, of course, to celebrate the Institute’s achievements over the past year, but also to commit ourselves to the important work that lies ahead._x000D_
Opt out
If you’re in Las Vegas, a glimmer of freedom may have caught your eye as you drove to work this morning._x000D_ _x000D_ Our latest billboard campaign — aimed at informing teachers and support staff or their rights — began yesterday and marked the start of our annual teacher union opt-out campaign. For the fourth year in a row, NPRI is reaching out to educators across the State of Nevada to make sure they know union membership is a choice and that, from July 1 to July 15, they may leave their union if they desire by submitting written notice to their union and, in some areas, their school district._x000D_
Nevada kids are winning
In the days immediately following the November elections, NPRI published a series of articles on how Republicans could succeed in the 78th Legislative Session where Democrats have failed in past years._x000D_ _x000D_ The first installment laid out what we thought to be the most important opportunity that, if seized by the newly elected Republicans, would constitute the greatest step forward Nevada has taken in memory: reform education by enacting school choice._x000D_
The governor’s refusal to compromise
We’re down to the final days of the Legislative Session and one thing is clear: Gov. Brian Sandoval is not interested in compromising on three key issues._x000D_ _x000D_ As he gave his State of the State address, Sandoval laid out three priorities that he actually campaigned against during his run for re-election: the largest tax increase in state history, passing a modified version of the margin tax and a massive expansion of government._x000D_