Economy
Economy
And Now, a Health-Care Downturn?
October 11th, 2012
A strong dose of fear can either motivate or paralyze. And there’s plenty of fear-peddling these days, especially when it comes to the economy and health care. There are fiscal cliffs, trillion-dollar deficits no one knows how to repay and now Medicare cuts potentially adding another half million to the unemployment ranks in 2013. Read more »
Economy
A Double Dip for Vegas?
September 20th, 2012
The Congressional Budget Office has used the chilling phrase “fiscal cliff” to describe what could happen to the national economy as a result of upcoming tax cut expirations. Are we really in danger of another recession in 2013? Read more »
Economy
Not Even Easing Will Be Easy
September 6th, 2012
The media has been speculating that the Federal Reserve may soon undertake a third round of quantitative easing—or QE3, in economist-speak. The Fed would buy about $500 billion worth of 10-year treasury bonds—with freshly printed money—from banks and other financial businesses. The hope is that after selling off these bonds to the government, the banks will turn around and lend more money for business expansion and consumer credit purchases at historically low interest rates. Read more »
Economy
Statistics Can Be Taxing
Is Nevada a good home for small businesses? Depends on how you look at the numbers.
May 3rd, 2012
Location Matters, a recent study from the Tax Foundation, has a love-hate relationship with Nevada. The conservative anti-tax group sees the state as a great place for retail businesses, which enjoy a total tax burden about 40 percent below the national average. That’s good enough for third place among the 50 states. Read more »
Dispatch
In Reno, the Recession Leaves a Legacy
The Biggest Little City is hoping for a comeback. Can its troubled flagship property lead the way?
April 26th, 2012
In the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, unemployment hovers around 12 percent. Washoe County gaming revenues have plummeted since 2006. Gas prices at $4 a gallon have been keeping potential customers close to home at Northern California Indian casinos and off the vital Interstate 80 corridor to Reno. Read more »
Economy
A Taxing Year Ahead?
April 19th, 2012
Relieved to have survived another tax season? Brace yourself, because if IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman is to be believed, the worst is yet to come. Shulman recently warned the press that next year could be a “real disaster” if some tough decisions aren’t made before Jan. 1. Read more »
Economy
Is the Hospital Bill the Least of Our Problems?
February 23rd, 2012
Nevada leads the nation in overall bankruptcies, and if it trends lower than the national numbers in the percentage stemming from medical bills, that may be because there are so many other ways to lose it all. The nation’s worst foreclosure rate, highest unemployment and highest credit-card delinquency can lead to medical bankruptcies, but they create plenty of bankruptcies on their own without any help from the hospital, says Delwyn Webber of Rob Graham & Associates. Read more »
The Week
Better Days?
February 16th, 2012
Gov. Brian Sandoval’s plan will establish and fund regional development authorities to do most of the heavy lifting, and it emphasizes high-paying jobs, global export, technology and clean energy. And it’s surprisingly evocative for a government tome, almost New Deal-ish in its sweeping references to our collective well-being. Read more »
Economy
The Price of Decay
December 22nd, 2011
For insight into why the city of Las Vegas created an ordinance Dec. 7 to fine banks that let foreclosed or abandoned houses fall into disrepair, pay a visit to 611 Lacy Lane near Valley View Boulevard and Alta Drive. Read more »
Economy
Profit of Doom?
December 15th, 2011
How are things ahead—really—for Las Vegas? While 2012 won’t exactly be the stuff of post-apocalyptic cinema —shuttered casinos, empty restaurants, deserted hotels, drained swimming pools and the Strip largely dark and filled with hordes of angry, disenfranchised marauders— economic blogger Michael Snyder says it will be pretty bad. Read more »
