Nevada Policy Research Institute
Encyclopedia
The Nevada Policy Research Institute (NPRI) is a private non-profit, free-market and limited-government policy research organization based in Las Vegas, Nevada
. NPRI seeks to promote private, rather than government solutions to issues facing Nevada and the western region of the United States.
options, tuition tax credits, school voucher programs, and merit pay
for teachers.
NPRI has been highly critical of the Nevada System of Higher Education
, specifically the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
and the University of Nevada, Reno
for low graduation rates, despite spending above average per full time student on education and education related higher education expenditures.
's or TASC amendment. NPRI claims Nevada's 2008-2009 budget deficit was the result of excessive growth in government spending.
NPRI has also argued that Nevada's history as a low-tax state has been slowly eroded by a growing number of fees on Nevada's residents.
NPRI opposes tax hikes on individual taxpayers and corporations within Nevada, including a tax hike on the gaming industry.
See also, the 2008 Nevada budget crisis
.
. According to NPRI's investigation it appears the LVCVA has an inappropriate relationship with a private marketing firm, R&R, that has overbilled the LVCVA but the LVCVA has never attempted to recoup these losses.
Through public records request NPRI found that the LVCVA not only knew about these irregularities but literally gave R&R the rubber stamp to approve expenditures above $5,000 without any oversight from the LVCVA.
According to NPRI, the LVCVA is funded by the room tax ($220 million in revenue), taking in more money than the Clark County School District, and is also a state agency subject to state laws regarding employees, benefits, and travel expenses.
The contract with R&R Partners
is worth $87 million.
According to NPRI vice president, "In the days following the release of this project, multiple private investigators visited the institute's offices requesting our financial statements and claiming to be working for "the other side." Some of our board members have been approached with broad hints about retaliation if the institute's look into convention authority financing proceeds."
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. NPRI seeks to promote private, rather than government solutions to issues facing Nevada and the western region of the United States.
Financial support & Resources
NPRI receives support from private individuals and foundations and accepts no money from the government.Issues
NPRI currently researches education http://npri.org/publications/filter.17/policy_area.asp, tax and fiscal policy http://npri.org/publications/filter.20/policy_area.asp, and labor http://npri.org/publications/filter.19/policy_area.asp issues related to Nevada public policy.Education
NPRI opposes recent political decisions to halt the opening of new charter schools and favors expanding charter schoolCharter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
options, tuition tax credits, school voucher programs, and merit pay
Merit pay
Merit pay is a term describing performance-related pay, most frequently in the context of educational reform. It provides bonuses for workers who perform their jobs effectively, according to measurable criteria...
for teachers.
NPRI has been highly critical of the Nevada System of Higher Education
Nevada System of Higher Education
The Nevada System of Higher Education was formed in 1968 to oversee all state-supported higher education in the U.S. state of Nevada. The name was changed in 2004. Two doctoral-granting research universities, one state college, four community colleges and one research institute comprise the...
, specifically the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
and the University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
for low graduation rates, despite spending above average per full time student on education and education related higher education expenditures.
Tax and Fiscal Policy
NPRI supports a balanced budget with controlled growth in government spending, such as a TABORTábor
Tábor is a city of the Czech Republic, in the South Bohemian Region. It is named after Mount Tabor, which is believed by many to be the place of the Transfiguration of Christ; however, the name became popular and nowadays translates to "camp" or "encampment" in the Czech language.The town was...
's or TASC amendment. NPRI claims Nevada's 2008-2009 budget deficit was the result of excessive growth in government spending.
NPRI has also argued that Nevada's history as a low-tax state has been slowly eroded by a growing number of fees on Nevada's residents.
NPRI opposes tax hikes on individual taxpayers and corporations within Nevada, including a tax hike on the gaming industry.
See also, the 2008 Nevada budget crisis
2008 Nevada budget crisis
The 2008 budget crisis in Nevada is an ongoing fiscal crisis in which the state faces a budget shortfall of at least $1.2 billion out of a $6.8 billion budget...
.
Labor Issues
NPRI supports protecting secret ballot boxes and paycheck protection and opposes defined benefit plans for union and government workers.LVCVA
On November 30, 2008 the Las Vegas Review Journal published an article regarding some investigative journalism conducted by the Nevada Policy Research Institute on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors AuthorityLas Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is a public/private partnership that owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center, Cashman Center, and Cashman Field and is responsible for the advertising campaigns for the Clark County, Nevada area....
. According to NPRI's investigation it appears the LVCVA has an inappropriate relationship with a private marketing firm, R&R, that has overbilled the LVCVA but the LVCVA has never attempted to recoup these losses.
Through public records request NPRI found that the LVCVA not only knew about these irregularities but literally gave R&R the rubber stamp to approve expenditures above $5,000 without any oversight from the LVCVA.
According to NPRI, the LVCVA is funded by the room tax ($220 million in revenue), taking in more money than the Clark County School District, and is also a state agency subject to state laws regarding employees, benefits, and travel expenses.
The contract with R&R Partners
R&R Partners
R&R Partners is an advertising, marketing, public relations, and public affairs firm with offices in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno, Salt Lake City, and Washington D.C.....
is worth $87 million.
According to NPRI vice president, "In the days following the release of this project, multiple private investigators visited the institute's offices requesting our financial statements and claiming to be working for "the other side." Some of our board members have been approached with broad hints about retaliation if the institute's look into convention authority financing proceeds."
Chairman's Award
Each year the Nevada Policy Research Institute gives out the "Chairman's Award" for the advancement of liberty in Nevada.http://npri.org/events/past-anniversary-dinners Past winners have included:- 2008 - Governor Jim Gibbons's executive order on government transparency.
- 2007 - Sheldon G. Adelson
- 2006 - Norman Dianda, Tito Tiberti
- 2005 - The Reviglio family
- 2004 - The Venetian Resort·Hotel·Casino, Ed Nigro