2008 Libertarian Party vice-presidential nominee Wayne Root today responded to a review of his book Conscience of a Libertarian that was posted here on IPR yesterday. The review cited a CNBC study that ranked Nevada 47th of “America’s top states for business”. Root pointed out that Nevada is ranked 4th in the Tax Foundation’s seventh State Business Tax Climate Index released today. Root said “Guess what 3 states rank LAST in USA according to Tax Foundation? California, NY and New Jersey. The same 3 states that I attack nonstop in my new book.” CNBC ranks NJ #24, CA #32, and NY #36.
Several other rankings bolster the Tax Foundation’s findings. The Small Business & Entrepeneurship Council’s Business Tax Index 2009 ranks NV #2, while ranking NY #46 and CA #47. Last month the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked NV #7 in “economic outlook”, while ranking CA #43 and NY #50. The Public Policy Institute ranks NV #12 in “economic freedom”, while ranking CA and NY dead last.
It turns out that the CNBC study used “40 different measures of competitiveness”, in categories like Quality of Life, Workforce, Technology and Innovation, Education, Access to Capital, and Cost of Living — none of which have much to do with whether a state government’s policies are friendly to business. Indeed, by its own sub-metric of “Business Friendliness”, CNBC ranked NV #20 (compared to 42 for NY and 49 for CA).
Comments after the break are from Wayne Root today:
The reviewer’s central argument is how I’m trying to use the “Nevada model” for entire country. That is central theme of my book…comparing Nevada to California, NY and New Jersey. The reviewer tries to make me look bad by quoting some obscure study that shows Nevada is at the bottom of business world. Really? Every poll I’ve ever seen has Nevada at the top…usually in Top 5.
A new study by RESPECTED Tax Foundation rates Nevada as #4 in USA for Business Climate. It’s the headline in Las Vegas Review Journal this morning.
Only Alaska, Wyoming and South Dakota have a better business environment- and that’s only because we (Nevada) raised taxes on business (payroll taxes) recently. I’d say being rated #4 in the country is a pretty darn good model for the rest of America. And by the way…would you rather move to Alaska, South Dakota, Wyoming…or Las Vegas to open your business? I think the answer is clear. That’s why Nevada has been #1 in population growth and new business growth for 25 years. Las Vegas is still the BEST place in USA to own a business by far.
By the way…most business studies are skewered towards BIG business. Another recent study rates Nevada #1 in USA for SMALL business.
If that reviewer is a “Libertarian” he should applaud a state with zero income tax, zero business income tax, no cap gains tax, no inheritance tax, and 16th lowest property taxes in USA.
He’s saying I’m not Libertarian enough because I praise Nevada? Huh? Nevada is far from perfect…taxes are still way too high in my opinion…but it is heaven compared to anywhere else in USA. Nevada defines “as Libertarian as you get” in USA. It is the Libertarian model for USA.
By the way…the point of my book is that states with high taxes are worst for business. Guess what 3 states rank LAST in USA according to Tax Foundation? California, NY and New Jersey. The same 3 states that I attack nonstop in my new book.
And Reason rated Las Vegas as #1 city in USA for personal freedom.
So explain how I’m wrong to hold up Nevada as the model for Libertarians?
chris wrote his own book of mormon pretty much too.
= You hit the nail on the head.
I believe the LDS church may be another group he’d gotten the boot from but im not positive.
= He was an apostate for the longest time before, and had bashed Janine and Dan Hansen back then, and obviously still does now.
He said he rejoined the Church later on, but obviously he’s a bad influence to LDS members that still look up to him, making me wonder whether he really is a faithful member in his heart.
do you mean over to Libertarian. I know Sherrif Mack was a big IAP , then turned Libertarian.
= He wasn’t from Nevada. I don’t even remember him ever being CP, but the Utah CP sure was going to support his run for Governor back then.
see i didnt even read your post right. I dont know any LP candidates that ran as IAP . But my memory leaves alot to be desired:)
chris wrote his own book of mormon pretty much too . I believe the LDS church may be another group he’d gotten the boot from but im not positive.
do you mean over to Libertarian. I know Sherrif Mack was a big IAP , then turned Libertarian.
we used to tease Chris at gunshows and he’d get so worked up because we had a banner that said ‘the LP , the only 100% pro-gun party”
he’d always tell us we were lying , and get so mad … LOL
we’d remind him he didnt want illegal aliens carrying guns and probably not gays.
man that was entertaining
Hey! You found a good link to the 2006 debate!
Unfortunately the Reno Gazette Journal doesn’t keep a good archive, and the Nevada Appeal didn’t have any pics of it.
chris hansen — fun to visit , wouldn’t want to live there!
lol
= He had a great sense of humor and energy, but in his political beliefs and activism, he was quite heavy handed.
I loved that when he took the stage!!!! did you hear all the LPers chanting ‘let him speak’!!!
that was an awesome moment to behold , and totally like Chris!
= Yeah, that’s one thing I do hold him in high regard for.
BTW, when I was still friends with him, he told me that several LP candidates actually ran under the IAP banner before, and even a few crossed over to our camp, is this true?
lg, Cody
What are some specifics on that?
= Well, it would probably be best to ask Janine Hansen about that, AND, if you go to Chris’s website that he runs-
http://www.independentamerican.org
-and read some of the articles on there, you may get an idea on how his extremist rhetoric later cost him his position as State Chair.
AND, he threatened to seize control of the party when we voted down something he wanted passed.
oh , he reads it:)
BTW, I love this article. First indication I’ve seen that Wayne reads IPR 🙂
The fringe extremism stuff.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-10-Tue-2006/news/10145077.html
specifics on what? stuff Janine does or when Chris Hansen took the stage at the governors debate .
that was sooooo awesome:)
chris hansen — fun to visit , wouldn’t want to live there!
lol
i still miss him , never a dull moment with him around.
I loved that when he took the stage!!!! did you hear all the LPers chanting ‘let him speak’!!!
that was an awesome moment to behold , and totally like Chris!
lg, Cody
What are some specifics on that?
Janine kicks ass every year . Personally , I miss seeing Chris Hansen on the campaign / activist circuit.
= Unfortunately Chris ‘went off the deep end’ with his rhetoric and the things that he started doing, which offended many in the IAP, including me.
What a character:) I certainly disagreed with him on ALOT but I always admired his passion and dedication .
= I still remember when he got on stage at that one gubernatorial debate between Gibbons and Titus- it was freaken’ awesome, and it gave us some good publicity. Hopefully our next gubernatorial candidate can go farther and get included in the debates.
Plus he always took the fringe vibe when we did events together , thus making us LPers appear mainstream ( in a good way).
= Even in the IAP, he took the fringe!
…Why do you think he’s not our Chairman any more?
I think yesterday it came out that Nevada is number 2 in the country for worst unemployment numbers.
Janine kicks ass every year . Personally , I miss seeing Chris Hansen on the campaign / activist circuit.
What a character:) I certainly disagreed with him on ALOT but I always admired his passion and dedication .
Plus he always took the fringe vibe when we did events together , thus making us LPers appear mainstream ( in a good way).
It’s good to see him standing up for Nevada, but he should also praise the 5 IAP citizen lobbyists (including Janine Hansen), that fought the legislature tooth and nail to protect our economy and our freedoms during the session.
Sure. Let’s set the flat tax at -5% and start to get the previous years’ money back!
I would like to see a flat tax that never goes up and we can start here in Nevada. Let get this going. Also I HATE DEVELOPERS.