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The COVID-19 pandemic, the statewide shutdown and the resulting economic consequences will have a lasting impact on Nevada. As we work to keep the coronavirus under control and rebuild the livelihoods of Nevadans, we have an opportunity to ensure the values that have made Nevada such an amazing place to live in the first place are protected and even promoted.
To do this, Nevada Policy has identified principles that lawmakers, policymakers and thought leaders must adopt in order to bring prosperity back to Nevada and rebuild our great state’s economy.
Guiding Principles for rebuilding Nevada:
Protect the rights of Nevadans
Both civil and property rights must be preserved as we move forward through this health crisis and the economic turmoil that follows. Government actions that are not determined to be the “least restrictive” way of controlling health risks are a clear violation of the economic and civil rights of Nevadans, as are unnecessary limitations on businesses, workers and consumers. As we reexamine our response to the threat of the coronavirus — and as we rebuild Nevada in the years ahead — policy discussions should focus on how we preserve and expand the civil and property rights that secure the freedoms necessary for Nevadans to prosper.
Related Policy Solutions:
- Solutions for Rebuilding Nevada
- A free society can respond to the coronavirus
- Government might not be up to the challenge — but individuals are
Empower Free Markets
Government alone simply isn’t capable of addressing the complex problems facing Nevadans. Centrally planned responses to the diverse and intricate problems facing the state have proven to be heavy-handed, ineffective and, in the worst cases, demonstrably harmful. Policies aimed at rebuilding the economy need to focus on empowering individuals, workers and businesses by reducing tax burdens and limiting regulatory barriers to personal and economic growth. Nevadans deserve the opportunity and freedom necessary to adapt, innovate and address the needs of their local community without being hindered by cumbersome layers of political government bureaucracy. Given the economic challenges facing us, preserving and expanding the free market freedoms that make it possible to innovate and overcome the challenges facing us will be more important than ever before.
Related Policy solutions:
- The decision to ‘re-open’ the economy shouldn’t be government’s to make
- Solutions for Rebuilding Nevada
- Reform Nevada’s burdensome occupational licensing laws:
- Recognize out-of-state licenses
- Suspend all licensing fees, including renewals and first-time applicants, for the next 24 months
- Allow cosmetologists to obtain necessary experience via apprenticeship in lieu of cosmetology school, which can cost over $10,000
- Repealing Nevada’s Prevailing Wage Law would save nearly $500 million over the next 10 years
- Expand Opportunity Scholarships to at least 25,000 students
Keep government accountable and transparent
State and local governments will experience increased deficits as tax revenues decline and demand for many government services increase. Nevadans will be less able to afford increased taxes than ever before, creating an unprecedented need for government to reprioritize spending and increase transparency. Ensuring balanced budgets and reprioritizing spending will guarantee a strong foundation of effective and limited government moving forward. Ensuring transparency at all levels will ensure taxpayers and public-sector employees alike that government is operating in the best interests of taxpayers, workers and Nevadans of all backgrounds.
Related Policy Solutions:
Nevada Policy is dedicated to promoting these guiding principles with our partners, supporters and coalition members. Click here to view Nevada Policy’s latest work regarding the coronavirus, the statewide shutdown and the unique economic challenges currently facing our great state.