(Kelly Chapman) – Nevada’s economy, largely dependent on tourism and gaming, has struggled to recover fully from the pandemic.
But fixing unemployment doesn’t have to mean raising taxes or increasing government spending.
There are plenty of common-sense solutions that could help put more Nevadans back to work without digging deeper into taxpayers’ pockets.
Make It Easier to Start and Grow a Business
One of the biggest obstacles to job creation in Nevada is excessive regulation.
Businesses, especially small ones, often struggle to navigate the complex web of rules and red tape. The Legislature should review and simplify business regulations to encourage growth and hiring.
Take licensing, for example.
Nevada has some of the most burdensome licensing requirements in the country. Want to braid hair professionally? You need a state license. Want to work as an interior designer? Another license.
These rules make it harder for people to start businesses and find work. Reducing unnecessary licensing requirements would open more job opportunities for Nevadans without costing the state a dime.
Fix Unemployment Insurance Policies
Nevada’s unemployment insurance (UI) system is outdated and discourages job growth.
As I understand it – and correct me if I’m wrong – businesses in the state pay higher unemployment insurance rates than in most other states. Lowering the taxable wage base for UI would make it less expensive for businesses to hire new workers.
Right now, new businesses must wait nearly four years before they can move to the standard UI tax schedule. That’s a long time for a startup trying to grow.
Letting new businesses move to the lower rate after just one year would help them expand faster and hire more employees.
The state should also ensure UI benefits aren’t being abused.
Employers should not be forced to pay for benefits when an employee voluntarily quits or refuses a reasonable job offer. Implementing good-faith exemptions would prevent this from happening.
Train Workers for the Jobs That Exist
There are thousands of job openings in Nevada, but many require specialized skills that job seekers don’t have. Instead of spending more money on new programs, the state should focus on improving existing ones.
The Career Enhancement Program (CEP), for example, already provides job training and skills development for unemployed workers. But it could be better aligned with Nevada’s current job market.
Strengthening partnerships between community colleges, trade schools, and businesses would ensure people are being trained for jobs that actually exist.
Help People Find Jobs Faster
The state already runs EmployNV, an online job search platform, but many job seekers don’t know about it or how to use it effectively.
By improving the promotion and functionality of this platform, the state could help connect more people with available jobs without spending more money.
For instance, the state could work with local businesses to list openings directly on EmployNV.
Job fairs, both in-person and virtual, could be promoted through the platform. Simple changes like these could make a big difference.
Make Tax Incentives Work for Nevada
Nevada already offers tax incentives to attract businesses, but not all of them are effective.
Instead of giving blanket tax breaks, lawmakers should focus on incentives that truly lead to job creation.
A review of current tax policies could help identify which incentives work and which ones are just giveaways.
The Other Side of the Argument
Some critics argue that Nevada needs more government spending on social programs to help the unemployed. They claim that raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy is the only way to fund these efforts.
But history shows that higher taxes often drive businesses away, leading to fewer jobs and a weaker economy.
Others say that Nevada should follow the lead of states like California and expand government-run workforce programs.
But California’s high-tax, high-spending approach hasn’t solved its own unemployment problems. In fact, businesses are leaving California in droves because of its anti-business policies.
A Smarter Approach
Nevada doesn’t need to raise taxes or spend more money to tackle unemployment.
By cutting red tape, reforming outdated policies, and making better use of existing resources, lawmakers can create an environment where businesses thrive and workers find good jobs.
If state leaders are serious about lowering unemployment, they should focus on these practical, no-cost solutions. Nevadans deserve policies that work – not more government bloat.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
