More Cops tax:
To get Clark County voters to pass the 2004 “More Cops” sales-tax ballot measure, Metro’s then-sheriff and other local-government officials repeatedly and very publicly promised the funds would only be used to put more police on the street. Nevada lawmakers early the next year made the same pledge and even wrote it into state law. Ten years later, however, lawmakers and Metro both quietly, but explicitly, broke that promise. And now, they’re asking for even more ‘More Cops’ taxes. (Read more)
Fiscal and taxes:
Plans for a $1.9 billion stadium, including $750 million of taxpayer funding, won the recommendation of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee. Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani was the only person to speak out against the project during Thursday’s meeting, saying “I support a stadium, but not with public financing.” The proposal will now go to Gov. Brian Sandoval for consideration. He is expected to call for a special session to get legislative approval for funding. (Read more)
Freedom of speech:
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit organization that designates internet domain names and addresses, is currently overseen by the U.S. Commerce Department. But things might not remain that way. The Obama Administration intends to transfer oversight of ICANN to international control, thereby giving nations known for substantial human rights abuses — such as suppressing free speech — partial control over a basic and essential component of the internet. (Read more)
Federal overreach:
President Barack Obama has created a 4,900 square mile no-go zone for commercial fishing and other activity off the coast of New England as the first-ever Atlantic marine monument. Now known as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the area was considered one of the prime commercial fishing areas for lobster and crab. The designation as a national monument will virtually shut down these activities throughout the area, despite the fact that fishing practices had been considered well-managed and sustainable. (Read more)
Economic freedom:
America is known as “the land of the free,” and traditionally this has been the case according to the Cato Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World annual reports. Just as recently as the year 2000, America was consistently ranked among the top nations for economic freedom, second only to Hong Kong. Since then, however, things have changed. America now ranks 16th for a second consecutive year. (Read more)