Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Nevada subsidizes Tesla. Jobs, jobs, jobs. The casino-Mecca folks can sing that song as well as any Iron Ranger. And news of a living wage proposal.

Strib carries an AP feed:

RENO, Nev. — Gov. Brian Sandoval has ordered the Nevada Legislature into a special session to consider $1.3 billion in tax breaks and other incentives for electric car-maker Tesla Motors as part of "an extraordinary opportunity" to seal the deal for its $5 billion battery factory and tens of thousands of jobs he says are needed to recover from the worst economic crisis in state history.

[...] Sandoval said the lithium battery "gigafactory" and its 6,500 workers would generate more than 20,000 construction and other related jobs and up to $100 billion for Nevada's economy over the next 20 years — a return on investment he estimated to be $80 for every $1 the state spends.

Little public opposition has emerged among lawmakers since Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced alongside Sandoval on the Capitol steps last week that Nevada had beat out California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico for the factory expected to open in 2017.

Strib also reports that there is at least some Minneapolis thought on a 15-in-15 wage effort within the city.

“We want to ensure we’re able to provide workers a better living wage to ensure we’re able to provide a better, more sustainable economic system for the people who live in our city,” said Council Member Alondra Cano, who has been meeting for months with state legislators, federal officials and local labor groups to boost workers’ pay.

The dramatic jump in the city’s base wage would set Minneapolis apart from neighboring communities and thrust the state into a larger national debate about workers’ wages. Seattle officials this summer overcame intense opposition from business leaders to lift its minimum wage to $15 an hour, to be phased in over several years.

Local business leaders are already expressing grave concerns [...]

“I think for Minneapolis to travel alone is fraught with risk,” said Dan McElroy, the head of Hospitality Minnesota, a restaurant, lodging and resort association.

McElroy said he worries about an increase in the youth unemployment rate because of companies unwilling to pay higher wages to younger workers.

Cheapskates chirp; but really, why not fair pay?

Let the gambling state gamble on subsidies. Bless them if it works.