Aggressive Advocacy for Your Business
Northern Nevada has a well-deserved reputation as a great place to do business. But we can't take that advantage for granted. Policymakers are considering proposals related to the taxes you pay, education and the quality of our roads and highways.
These policies affect your ability to run and grow your business. As a businessperson, you ignore public policy at your own peril.
The Chamber is the only broad-based business group in our community that aggressively advocates a pro-business policy agenda on your behalf. We also endorse and support pro-business candidates for public office. Click here to see our Agenda for Economic Vitality.
Connecting You to Government
Below you will find a short list of useful links, from finding your legislator to learning about the Senate leadership and members. We've included links that will help you navigate the Nevada legislature, including the 2011 Legislature manual.
CHAMBER LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Your Chamber supports northern Nevada business rights and interests in many ways. Advocating at Legislature, Reno or Sparks city council is just a few of the ways…and here are this year’s priorities as we support your business in Carson City:
1 Stable and Predictable Tax Policy for Nevada
Nevada’s prospects for economic vitality hinge on a stable and predictable tax policy that encourages companies to locate facilities and wealth building industries in the state. Many of the companies doing business in, or considering relocating to, Nevada are here because the state has no income tax, no weight-distance tax, no estate tax and no inventory tax. The Chamber opposes the imposition of any such tax.
2 Larger Share of Federal Funding
U.S. Census reports show Nevada’s return on each federal dollar at 75 cents, compared to 95 cents for the average Western state. The Legislature should establish a Nevada State Grants Management Coordinator to create a communication/ coordination and grant-writing structure. The potential return to the state is $310 million over five years, according to the Nevada Spending and Government E ffciency (SAGE) Commission (recommendation 41).
3 More Flexibility for Our Universities, Colleges and School Districts
Allow local school districts more flexibility in how they spend their funds. For higher education, allow more tuition to stay at the campus of origin. For all levels of public education, allow more flexibility in personnel policies and merit pay.
4 Adopt Sensible Policies and Controls on State Spending
Create a Sunset Committee to review every state entity, abatement, earmark and exemption. This approach saved $737 million over 21 years in Texas. This is SAGE Commission recommendation 17. Also, implement program-based budgeting with clear criteria, and move to priority-funding budgeting in which critical services will be funded before other programs. Arkansas’ law is an example, according to SAGE Commission recommendation numbers 42 and 43.
5 Reform Public Employee Collective Bargaining
(NRS 288) In order to ensure the efficient delivery of government services, we will oppose giving state employees collective bargaining rights. To allow local government entities to deliver services to residents efficiently, eliminate binding arbitration and allow local government entities to reopen contracts during declared fiscal emergencies. Clarify that school administrators are not covered under NRS 288.
6 Adopt a Sustainable Government
Employee Retirement Bene fits Policy The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) faces unfunded liabilities of up to $10 billion. Additionally, public employee benefits are out of step with private-sector benefits in many cases. To address these problems, implement a retirement age based on the Social Security system for public employees; reduce the retirement multiplier, bring PEBP health care subsidies for active employees into parity with the private sector (saving $322.7 million over five years) and eliminate the health care subsidy for retirees (saving $156.8 million over five years).
7 Encourage Economic Development and the Success of Nevada Businesses
Reform same-day overtime policies by moving to a weekly standard, as opposed to a 24-hour standard. Oppose workers comp changes that will make Nevada businesses less competitive versus other states. Evaluate what goods and services are being purchased by Nevada businesses outside the state and work with Nevada companies to help attract those suppliers to Nevada. Ensure state policies efficiently and effectively support economic development. Work with EDAWN and other organizations to ensure Nevada and our region maximizes our ability to keep, create and/or attract high-paying jobs here.
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