Geoffrey Lawrence
Old Vegas lives
“Free” tax money is available, but integrity is hard to find
Board members of the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency (LVRDA) and those who are dependent on them for taxpayer subsidies apparently have little shame. In response to recent public opposition to the LVRDA and its use of tax dollars to build lavish public facilities and subsidize big developers, board members of the LVRDA have jettisoned adherence to the state's ethics laws.
Possible tax increase coming today!!! Update: Passes
The State Assembly today will vote on whether to approve the ballot initiative sponsored by the state teacher union that would increase the room tax in Clark and Washoe counties. The proposal would increase the tax on transient lodging in those counties by an additional 3 percent of gross receipts.
Tax Dollar Performance in Nevada
A Quantitative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Government Spending in the Silver State
Quantitative analyses suggest that tax dollars are being spent quite ineffectively in the Silver State.
Authority for county tax hikes could be approved today; Update: Tax fails
As a Special Order of Business, the State Senate at 11:15 this morning will consider whether to override the governor's veto of SB 146. The bill would authorize county governments within the state to levy an additional ad valorem (property) tax in order to finance the detainment of children.
Riding the downward spiral
Buckley’s foreclosure plan would keep housing market in the toilet
Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley has introduced a bill that would supposedly stabilize Nevada's housing market and assist homeowners who are in danger of foreclosure.
It’s Reno’s redevelopment model that needs renovation
Agency preys on local and state coffers
The Reno City Council will meet on Feb. 11 to vote on whether to approve the use of sales tax anticipated revenue (STAR) bonds to subsidize development within the city's redevelopment zone. This measure deserves some intense scrutiny.
Why is Culinary alone?
City’s redevelopment agency has been taking money away from teachers, firefighters and police
Much controversy has arisen over the Culinary Union’s recent opposition to the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency. City officials are claiming that the Culinary Union is operating under false pretenses.
The power of the PERS
The legislature should rein it in
In light of recent turbulence within the economy, many Nevadans now have serious concerns about their future. Unless they are paid with tax dollars, that is. The Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System is a wondrous institution-one wonders why policymakers have allowed it to continue so long as currently structured. No retirement system of its kind could ever exist in the private sector, able, as it is, to shift all of its investment risk onto other people.
Clark County gets it right
According to an article in last Wednesday's edition of the Las Vegas Sun, Clark County is considering disbandment of its redevelopment agency. The County would reportedly divert the $10 million in annual property taxes that it currently collects to the state's general fund. According to the Sun...
Plenty of waste to swing at
Government-subsidized golf underscores lack of fiscal discipline
Speaker Buckley claimed last week that the governor's proposal to re-direct $79 million from Clark and Washoe County governments to the state general fund could adversely impact the operations of county government in those locales. Apparently, one of the government operations she is trying to protect is government-subsidized golf.
