The G3Wire

January 5, 2024

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Nevada is off to busy start in 2024 with new staff announcements at the Governor’s Office, over 80 new laws taking effect, filing for judicial candidates has begun, and new election announcements are coming out almost daily. We are looking forward to working with you in 2024! 

Days until:

• Nevada Presidential Primary: 32
• GOP Presidential Caucus: 34
• Primary Election Day: 158
• General Election Day: 305

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Lombardo announces new chief of staff, replacing former state senator Kieckhefer

The announcement said the transition from Chief of Staff Ben Kieckhefer, a former state senator, to Cherry will take place in early 2024, and Cherry’s first day in office will be Jan. 17. (The Nevada Independent)

State and Local Government Updates

Medicaid expansions, prison reforms among more than 80 laws taking effect Jan. 1

The new laws (roughly 540) also include a slew of cannabis policy changes, restrictions for solitary confinement  and rules for this year’s elections. This article includes bills that fully or partly go into effect Jan. 1 (The Nevada Independent)

City programs aim to help unhoused people move into employment, stability

The program began in 2015 when Volunteers of America and then-Councilwoman Neoma Jardon had the idea to start an employment program for the unhoused population. Since then, 110 people have graduated from the program. (The Nevada Independent)

Lombardo cracking down on remote work in state jobs nearly 1 year after his initial order

The five-page policy emailed to executive branch employees Tuesday calls remote work agreements a “limited discretionary privilege” to be approved case-by-case with individual employees and revoked at any time. (The Nevada Independent)

Ahead of New Year’s Eve mission, Nevada National Guard says state payment issues resolved

As the Nevada Guard prepares for its annual mission, a spokesman said paperwork errors led to payment issues after the 2023 New Year’s Eve celebration. (The Nevada Independent)

As Percent Of Gross State Product, Nevada Ranks #1 In Clean Investment

The data shows that Nevada invests 2.1 percent of GSP  in clean energy and industry. In 2022, Nevada’s GSP was $215,917,800,000. Assuming their figures are accurate, Nevadan’s have invested $450 million in clean energy and industry. (The Nevada Globe)

AG Ford Releases First ‘Use of Force’ Incident Report

All 23 use of force incidents took place between April and November 2023.  Of the 54 reporting agencies in the state, eight indicated one or more reportable use of force incidents that were substantiated. (The Nevada Globe)

Nevada lithium loop: Tonopah Flats site has more lithium than first estimated

The Tonopah Flats site is estimated to have one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, says American Battery Technology Co. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Federal Updates

How Biden’s battle against resort and other ‘junk’ fees could affect Las Vegas

As FTC cracks down on junk fees, the state’s largest industry pushes back, leaving Nevada’s congressional delegation in an awkward position.  The war on junk fees has become a centerpiece of the president’s and Democrats’ political agenda. They’re banking on the issue being an electoral hit, believing junk fees to be universally unpopular. (The Nevada Independent)

D.C. Download: Three big issues Nevada’s congressional delegation will tackle in 2024

The Nevada delegation will have to consider government spending, Ukraine funding, changes to asylum policy and lands bills. (The Nevada Independent)

‘Bizarro’ and ‘It’s over:’ Five takeaways from Nevada fake elector grand jury transcripts

Before the Clark County grand jury ultimately decided to indict the six Nevada Republicans who cast false electoral votes for then-President Donald Trump in 2020, they heard witness testimony from a top Nevada elections official, a Postal Service inspector and one of campaign lawyers about how the fake elector scheme unfolded. (The Nevada Independent)

Catching up on the status of the seven Nevadans caught in the FBI’s Jan. 6 dragnet

Includes at least seven with ties to the Silver State who have either been arrested or were convicted for their involvement in the attacks, which ultimately left five people dead and caused millions in damages. (Las Vegas Sun)

Articles of Interest

‘Servant of the people’: Longtime Reno-Sparks Indian Colony chair retires after 31 years

After 31 years as chairman and 36 years on the tribal council, Melendez retired Dec. 13. During his time in office, Melendez and the tribal council significantly expanded the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s land, made strides in tribal health care, and created a unique tax system that is known across Indian Country as the “Nevada system.” (The Nevada Independent)

Washoe County Manager Makes Twice The Salary Of Nevada’s Governor

The current manager of the Silver State is Governor Joe Lombardo who makes $163,474 per year. The currentCounty Manager of Washoe County is Eric Brown makes over $331,000 per year and is poised to make significantly more if the county commissioners approve a new salary and benefits package. (The Nevada Globe)

Reno Takes A Ride Into the Future with Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Buses

Bucking against rising fuel costs and carbon emissions, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County is pushing the pedal on a cleaner future with hydrogen fuel-cell buses. After years of experience with electric-battery buses, the RTC is now betting on a technology they believe is even more advanced – and the first two sleek, new fuel-cell buses just rolled into town. (The Nevada Globe)

Las Vegas Strip tourists can’t stop on pedestrian bridges under new county ordinance

Officers will inform pedestrians who stop on the bridge about the new law and ask them to keep walking. In the case that someone refuses to obey, the officers can issue a citation or make an arrest. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Gaming: F1 a boon for the Strip, a bust for downtown casino revenue

Despite November’s gaming revenue decline — the fifth in the last seven months — downtown casinos are still trending more than 2.7 percent ahead of the $880.2 million in gaming revenue the market produced in 2022. (Indy Gaming) 

Nevada’s 2023 graduation rate lags pre-COVID levels. Here’s how districts want to fix it.

As the percentage of graduates holds steady in 2023, schools implement new programs to help them succeed and focus on future education or career opportunities. (The Nevada Independent)

Suit against Nevada public health insurance option filed by state senator, taxpayer group

State Sen. Robin Titus (R-Wellington) and the National Taxpayers Union filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Nevada’s First Judicial Court in Carson City challenging the constitutionality of SB420, the 2021 law establishing a state-managed public health care option in Nevada. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada has the most abandoned mines in the nation. Why is it taking so long to seal them?

Nevada is home to the most documented dangerous abandoned mines in the nation, but funding for a state program that seals them up is slow to trickle in. (The Nevada Independent)

After attack on judge, Clark County District Court reviewing security

Chief Judge Jerry Wiese on Thursday labeled the situation as unique, saying he has never seen someone “superman” over the bench — not in Clark County or other courthouses. (Las Vegas Sun)

Clinton and Trump are named in Jeffrey Epstein documents; no wrongdoing alleged

New documents were released Thursday, with references to powerful politicians, celebrities and billionaires. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Election News

Important Dates

• Early voting for the Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries will run from January 27, 2024, through February 2, 2024.
• The Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are February 6, 2024.
• Republican Presidential Caucus is February 8, 2024.
• The Primary Election is June 11, 2024.
• The General Election is November 5, 2024.

Nevada elections: Add these 14 important dates to your 2024 calendar

Nevada voters can prepare for a busy year of primary and general elections. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Filing For Judicial Office

Filing for Judicial Office has begun.

• JUDICIAL CANDIDATE FILINGS DATES:
  Tuesday, January 2, 2024, to Friday, January 12, 2024 (by 5 p.m.)

(Nevada Secretary of State’s Office)

 Jamie Rodriguez resigns as Washoe County registrar

Washoe County issued a press release Tuesday announcing the move. KRNV reporter Ben Margiott tweeted Rodriguez’s resignation letter, which said she is leaving the position to pursue opportunities outside of elections and focus on family. (The Nevada Independent)

After Unanimous Vote, Segerblom And McCurdy Lead Clark County Commission

In a unanimous vote, Commissioner Tick Segerblom was selected as Chairman of the Clark County Commission. Commissioner William McCurdy II was unanimously selected as Vice Chair. The seven county commissioners are members of the Democratic party. (The Nevada Globe)

Nevada Assembly Democrats endorse Ryan Hampton for Assembly District 4

Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus announced its endorsement of Ryan Hampton for Assembly District 4. (Ryanfornevada.com)

• ‘Fierce Bipartisan Advocate’ Enters Assembly Race With Partisan Baggage
  • Ryan Hampton, a self-proclaimed “fierce bipartisan advocate” who is endorsed by the Nevada Democratic party for Assembly District 4, vows to end toxic politics and seeks to find bipartisan solutions to “make real change for Nevada’s hard-working middle class.” Yet, Hampton’s public record indicates a strong, partisan alignment with Democratic politicians, controversial public statements, and outward support of left-of-center policies that do not align with his campaign’s claims. (The Nevada Globe)

GOP lawmaker Heidi Kasama drops out of congressional race against Susie Lee

Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama announced Thursday morning that she is suspending her race for Congressional District 3. Instead, she said she plans to seek re-election to her seat representing District 2 in the Assembly. (The Nevada Independent)

In Vegas, Kamala Harris visit to Culinary Union spotlights labor role in 2024 election

Vice President Kamala Harris swung through Las Vegas Wednesday on a victory lap for organized labor, meeting with Culinary Workers Union Local 226 members at the union’s downtown headquarters to celebrate their recently negotiated contracts with major Las Vegas Strip casino properties. (The Nevada Independent)

Is Trump on the Nevada Republican primary ballot?

NO

While Nevada Republican voters who visit caucus locations on the evening of Feb. 8 will see former President Donald Trump on their ballots, the primary mail ballots sent to nearly all registered Republican voters in Nevada will not include Trump. (The Nevada Independent)

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