MARK MY WORDS
BACK WASHING
BY MARK WARDEN

Have you been regulated lately? If you live in Nevada and work for a living, the answer is probably yes.

An old quip says something like this: “Hold onto your wallet — the Legislature is in session.” Nowhere is this warning truer than in Nevada. Legislators were back at it this year adding to their monstrous, bloated state spending spree. It doesn’t matter that higher-than-expected revenues have been streaming into state coffers. No, they want even more.

Besides their penchant for increasing the burden on the taxpayer, your elected officials also share a proclivity for regulating and controlling nearly every job or profession in the state. 

A review of the bills proposed during this year’s Legislature exposes a litany of additional restrictions and regulations on Nevada’s working people. Even though most never become law, it is insightful — and scary — to see how many liberty-reducing bills are seriously considered.

It amazes me that so many people have the time and energy to propose industry-specific legislation that affects a very small percentage of the population, on issues about which most of us rarely hear. For example, I found Assembly bills that affected massage therapist licensing, industrial insurance employers, environmental health specialists, elderly care agencies, suppliers and rectifiers of liquor and wine, mobile home servicemen, non-transplant anatomic banks and more. Legislators waste valuable time reading, considering, debating and hearing arguments for and against licensing and fees for halfway houses, off-road vehicles, commercial coaches, barbers and cosmetologists, business brokers, certified public accountants, pawnbrokers, outdoor advertising, alcohol awareness training, and on and on and on.

It would be comical if it weren’t real. Many resources (human, capital and time) are spent on authoring and then considering myriad ways to control how you do your job and/or how much you have to pay the state for the “privilege” of doing it. You want to babysit your neighbors’ toddlers? Sorry, you’ll need a license or permit for that. 

While supporters will say that such legislation is well-meaning, intended only to protect innocent consumers, often the motives behind the measures are much more diabolical. 

Established interest groups often use the hammer of government to legislate expanded regulation, helping to erect barriers of entry to new competitors. These special-interest groups and individuals find willing accomplices in Carson City once the Assembly and Senate committees realize that increased licensing and permit fees will give them even more money to spend on new agencies or programs that benefit their favorite special-interest supporters or constituents. It’s a vicious cycle of “I’ll wash your back; you wash mine” cronyism that enriches a few at the expense of many.

Next time you experience an increase in the cost of a haircut, or your dry-cleaning bill, or dinner and a movie, call your legislators and thank them. LW