Defining The Role Of Government For Economic Diversity
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
In the minds of some, the 2011 Nevada Legislative Session has a priority of creating jobs. Somehow we’re supposed to believe that legislators, working in Carson City, will pull together the components of tax increases, educational spending and centralized government planning – forming the perfect state policy of economic diversity, bestowed on Nevada’s citizenry by their government.
Over the first couple of weeks of the Legislature we’ve seen variations of this concept. In one version, the future of our economic prosperity will come from the miracle of bonding to finance public works projects that will employ construction companies and their workers, revitalizing the state’s economy as needed infrastructure is fixed or newly built. In another line of theory, the state’s higher education system will be provided with critical financial support and through educational progress profitable, high-tech industries will flock to Nevada to produce green energy, informational services and extremely generous jobs.
One of the common themes we’re seeing in the messaging by the majority party involve government not having enough money to bring about the economic miracles that could be ours if only more state spending was possible. Another point is that through the greater expenditures of government a single-sided formula of benefit without costs yields a well-rounded and complete economy with politically-correct foundations where hands don’t get dirty, paychecks are plump and more treasures flow back to state coffers in a self-supporting manner for ever more capacity of government for government’s good.
To respond to the themes being spun we need to see a policy focus that spells out an alternate view. In addition to the correction for mistaken ideas of a government-centric system we need to begin to see policy presentations (like this overview) where the context of the private sector is recognized as something other than the source for government revenue.
Given the media’s predominating philosophy of tax increases as the only possible route forward and the similar perspective of the majority party, it will be challenging to get the necessary messages across which define an appropriate role for government. This is further complicated by the lack of attention being given by pro-business members of the Legislature or the Governor’s office to the work of presenting a comprehensive picture for a future Nevada depending on entrepreneurship and private enterprise for jobs and prosperity. As the 2011 Legislature continues to work through legislative proposals and policy ideas, we hope that more emphasis will be made on structuring plans and activities which enhance Nevada’s economic climate and provide greater opportunities for private citizens.
In the minds of some, the 2011 Nevada Legislative Session has a priority of creating jobs. Somehow we’re supposed to believe that legislators, working in Carson City, will pull together the components of tax increases, educational spending and centralized government planning – forming the perfect state policy of economic diversity, bestowed on Nevada’s citizenry by their government.
Over the first couple of weeks of the Legislature we’ve seen variations of this concept. In one version, the future of our economic prosperity will come from the miracle of bonding to finance public works projects that will employ construction companies and their workers, revitalizing the state’s economy as needed infrastructure is fixed or newly built. In another line of theory, the state’s higher education system will be provided with critical financial support and through educational progress profitable, high-tech industries will flock to Nevada to produce green energy, informational services and extremely generous jobs.
One of the common themes we’re seeing in the messaging by the majority party involve government not having enough money to bring about the economic miracles that could be ours if only more state spending was possible. Another point is that through the greater expenditures of government a single-sided formula of benefit without costs yields a well-rounded and complete economy with politically-correct foundations where hands don’t get dirty, paychecks are plump and more treasures flow back to state coffers in a self-supporting manner for ever more capacity of government for government’s good.
To respond to the themes being spun we need to see a policy focus that spells out an alternate view. In addition to the correction for mistaken ideas of a government-centric system we need to begin to see policy presentations (like this overview) where the context of the private sector is recognized as something other than the source for government revenue.
Given the media’s predominating philosophy of tax increases as the only possible route forward and the similar perspective of the majority party, it will be challenging to get the necessary messages across which define an appropriate role for government. This is further complicated by the lack of attention being given by pro-business members of the Legislature or the Governor’s office to the work of presenting a comprehensive picture for a future Nevada depending on entrepreneurship and private enterprise for jobs and prosperity. As the 2011 Legislature continues to work through legislative proposals and policy ideas, we hope that more emphasis will be made on structuring plans and activities which enhance Nevada’s economic climate and provide greater opportunities for private citizens.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 2/20/2011 6:09 PM 
Categories: 2011 Nevada Legislature
Tags: Nevada Budget and Taxes Economic Diversity Nevada Legislature
Categories: 2011 Nevada Legislature
Tags: Nevada Budget and Taxes Economic Diversity Nevada Legislature
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