VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/129449
In business the economy Check of 'wallet wellness' finds Las Vegas looking sickly By Eli Segall staff writer Stung by a weak economy, Las Vegas has some of the fewest economic opportunities and highest stress levels in America, a new report says. The Las Vegas Valley is 28th out of the 30 largest metro areas for its "wallet wellness," or likelihood that residents will lead a financially satisfying, lowstress lifestyle, according to CardHub. com, a website where consumers shop and apply for credit cards. Riverside, Calif., was ranked last, followed by Portland, Ore., at 29th. Minneapolis took top billing. CardHub said it analyzed job growth, income levels, transportation costs and commute times. These and other factors highlight the economic opportunities and "daily frustration" of living in each metro area, the report said. Las Vegas has an average commute time of just 10.43 minutes but carries the second worst job growth rate, -0.98 per- cent. Las Vegans' purchasing power was deemed fifth lowest. Nevada has the highest foreclosure rate, second highest mortgage delinquency rate and fourth highest credit card delinquency rate in the country. The valley also has the highest percentage of underwater homeowners. WORKPLACE lawmaker says lives of nevada workers at risk By Karoun Demirjian staff writer WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are reintroducing a bill to expand the federal government's ability to assist states in performing their workplace safety oversight obligations, after a government report indicated Nevada was falling woefully short of its goals. According to a Government Accountability Office report released in April, Nevada conducted only 59 percent of the 2,132 inspections it aimed to conduct in 2011, and barely two-thirds of the inspections it aimed to conduct last year, even after lowering expectations to an annual goal total of 1,900. And Nevada has one of the worst state track records when it comes to retaining experienced personnel: More than half of the state's safety inspectors — and at the GAO's last fiscal 2013 count, the state only had 21 — have less than five years' experience on the job. "It is concerning that GAO found several unresolved problems in Nevada's worker safety program that are putting workers' lives and safety at risk," said Nevada Rep. Dina Titus, a bill co-sponsor. The report blamed budget cuts, but also poor prioritization of resources, for contributing to Nevada's disappointing performance results. "Nevada's challenges have persisted, even though the state matched its federal OSHA grant," the GAO authors wrote, noting how Nevada had put more than $3 million into revitalizing its workplace oversight in the past few years. But according to OSHA, Nevada spent significant funds on training new hires, but not enough on paying for travel to worksites and setting competitive salaries for the inspectors. Thus the count of Nevada's team of safety inspectors fell, from 28 to 21 between fiscal 2012 and 2013, when federal officials had expected it to rise to 32 inspectors. | 1 3 M AY 2 0 1 3 20130513_VI09_F.indd 9 | Re: Reinvent The Business Lens From: 1 Shot To: 13 Galleries He's photographed all 50 states. Presidents and celebrities collect his work. The $1 million sale of his photo "One" set a world record. Life is good for Master Photographer Peter Lik. And while Peter focuses on capturing his next award-winning landscape, his legal advisors at Lewis and Roca focus on helping him protect his creativity and grow his business. Thousands of photos and 13 galleries later, Peter knows that being the best means having the right team to help you see the bigger picture. 9 5/9/13 2:17:03 PM