Working + The Economy
A federal lawsuit is blocking 198,000 Nevada student loan borrowers from relief
The U.S. Supreme Court is the only thing standing in the way of as many as 198,000 Nevadans receiving relief from some or all of their student loan debt, according to figures released Thursday by the White House. An estimated 128,000 applicants in Nevada were fully approved for discharge, before a federal court case forced […]
Treasurer’s office to allow employees to bring babies to work
Soon every day may be ‘Bring Your Child To Work Day’ at the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office. Democratic Treasurer Zach Conine on Thursday announced a pilot program that will allow his employees to bring with them to work infants who are 6 months or younger. According to the press release, employees who want to participate […]
Suspending Nevada’s gas tax for a year might save you an estimated nickel-ninety-eight, tops
It was a gimmick when Nevada Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen signed on to a federal gas tax holiday plan a year ago, it was a gimmick when Joe Biden floated the idea last summer, and the gas tax holiday remains a gimmick now that Joe Lombardo has proposed one. But gas […]
Lombardo calls for gas tax holiday, raises for state employees, and lots of saving for a rainy day
In his first state of the state speech, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo on Monday made the case that Nevada “has more money than we can responsibly spend” and suggested that for every $1 in new general fund spending the state should squirrel away $1 into various savings accounts. Lombardo is inheriting a healthy revenue forecast […]
Affordable, reliable and sustainable: report compares utility performance
A nationwide comparison of electric utility performance by an Illinois consumer advocacy group found that customers in states that are heavily reliant on fuel oil and natural gas, as in the Northeast and South, tend to pay more than those with larger amounts of carbon-free generation, among other findings. The report by the Illinois-based Citizens […]
U.S. hits debt limit and Treasury Department begins ‘extraordinary measures’
WASHINGTON — The nation reached its debt limit Thursday, beginning the uncertain process known as extraordinary measures, in which the U.S. Treasury Department uses accounting maneuvers to avoid defaulting on the debt. The often-used practice is intended to give the Republican House, Democratic Senate and Biden administration time to negotiate a bipartisan agreement to raise […]
U.S. House agriculture leaders discuss anti-hunger measures in upcoming farm bill
WASHINGTON — The new Republican chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and a top Democrat on the panel on Wednesday laid out anti-hunger initiatives Congress could tackle in the upcoming farm bill. During a panel discussion, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, the new head of the Agriculture Committee, said he believes members of […]
Ending remote work is no way to fix state government workforce vacancy problem, AFSCME warns
Gov. Joe Lombardo’s executive order instructing state agencies to return to in-person offices by July 1 is receiving pushback from at least one union representing those public workers. Lombardo in his first week in office issued an executive order directing the state workforce to return “to pre-pandemic, normal and customary office conditions” by July 1. […]
Painting contractor agrees to pay millions in overtime wages, damages for workers
Unforgettable Coatings, a Las Vegas painting company that also operates in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona, agreed Friday to pay $3.68 million to workers it failed to adequately compensate for overtime. “It’s an overwhelming moment that brings tears to your eyes,” Isaac Umaña, a former Unforgettable Coatings employee who is currently a member leader at Arriba […]
U.S. to hit debt limit much sooner than expected, thrusting Congress into showdown
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government will hit its borrowing limit next week, forcing the new, divided Congress into negotiations over the debt limit much sooner than expected, though a potential date for the nation to default isn’t expected until this summer. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrote to Congress on Friday afternoon, telling leaders the United […]
Lombardo campaigned on no more shutdowns. He better tell that to House Republicans.
Congress kept Nevada – and its state budget – afloat during Steve Sisolak’s administration. It may sink Nevada during Joe Lombardo’s. Long story short: If House Republicans refuse to approve legislation allowing the U.S. government to pay its bills, the economy could crash and burn. Long story longer: During his unconditional surrender to his party’s […]
450,000 Nevadans will see reduction in food assistance
Throughout the pandemic, most Nevdans receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also benefited from monthly emergency allotments. But that’s about to end. On Wednesday, the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services announced that March will be the last month the agency is allowed to provide the extra food dollars that […]