Working + The Economy
Senate passes major health, tax and climate bill in boost for Democrats
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate, along party lines, passed a significant energy, health care, climate and tax package Sunday afternoon, following an overnight marathon of votes that resulted in just a handful of notable changes to the legislation. The 755-page bill was passed after Vice President Kamala Harris broke a 50-50 tie in the evenly divided Senate. […]
Southern Nevada homeless count finds more people on the streets
After a steady decline in homelessness over the last several years, recent data found an uptick in people living on the streets this year, including families. The recent results from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count and Survey, conducted in February, showed the largest increase in homelessness since 2019 and found 5,645 people experiencing homelessness. The number […]
NV Energy seeks right to stick ratepayers with Greenlink bill
When NV Energy turned to Nevada lawmakers last year to salvage a massive transmission line project that state utility regulators had already partially denied because of the potential cost to ratepayers, the utility’s CEO testified any increase to customers was years away. “We will put thousands of people to work today and Nevadans will not […]
Actually, Biden’s doing pretty well
Two years. A president might serve for four years, or maybe eight. But often as not anymore it seems if any big domestic policy bills get passed, they’ll be passed in the first two. Obama got the Affordable Care Act and a recovery plan. Trump got tax cuts for rich people. In his first two […]
Expansion of child care subsidies gives families more options
Amidst a shortage of licensed care providers for “young Nevadans,” the Nevada Child Care Fund has received $50 million for child care subsidies that will help families expand the pool of caregivers for their children. The fund originally extended only to licensed care providers will now be available to any individual who wants and plans […]
Sisolak touts ARPA housing investments, says ‘minimum wage kind of took care of itself’
Gov. Steve Sisolak Tuesday acknowledged there is nothing the state can do to address rising gas prices, touted efforts to fix the housing crisis, and said he was open to working with lawmakers on increasing the state’s minimum wage and providing more tenant protections. Sisolak made remarks on those and several other subjects while meeting […]
Feds unveil process to protect immigrant workers facing employer retaliation
The U.S. Department of Labor rolled out new guidance Wednesday aimed at protecting workers from immigration-related intimidation when they participate in investigations on labor abuses. For the first time, the agency outlined steps workers can take to get support from government officials when seeking deportation relief —such as deferred action, parole, or stay of removal […]
Lower insulin co-pays, list prices targeted in new bipartisan U.S. Senate bill
WASHINGTON — Two key senators have unveiled the details of a bipartisan plan to lower costs for insulin, a lifesaving drug that some Americans have struggled to afford in recent years as prices have skyrocketed. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, and Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, introduced the measure in June, after months of work to […]
Nevada’s minimum wage increases … slightly
As Nevadans struggle to afford rising costs and skyrocketing rents, minimum wage workers will receive a slight bump in their pay. Beginning July 1, the state’s minimum wage increases to $10.50, up from $9.75, for workers not offered health coverage. Employees offered health care will now make $9.50, up from $8.75. Nevada’s wage increase is […]
Easy money loans appeal to would-be investors who lack income
Across America, working folk with no capital and lackluster credit are becoming vacation rental tycoons by amassing multiple properties. But with interest rates on the rise and a possible recession looming, the risky loan product that helps level the playing field for the little guy is falling out of favor with some lenders. Debt service […]
Feds approve NV plan for back P-EBT payments, $175 million to be distributed
Last month Nevada received federal approval to continue a popular free food program designed to replace meals children missed at school and child care because of pandemic-related closures. Congress temporarily extended the free food program in January to cover younger children and the summer months. Now eligible K-12 students across Nevada will once again receive […]
State legislative panels hold first-time joint meeting on climate crisis
When surveying Nevada residents on food insecurity, Nancy Brune with the Guinn Center found that the climate crisis and extreme heat had a direct impact on people’s ability to afford groceries. Brune, who is running for Las Vegas City Council, recently told lawmakers about efforts with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to […]