Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics are dominating the headlines this week in Nevada with news of the closing of the iconic Tropicana (the future site of their ballpark) and the A’s agreement to play three interim seasons in Sacramento (2025 – 2027) while their $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat stadium is being constructed on the Las Vegas Strip. The FBI is investigating whether state Sen. Dina Neal used her influence to secure federal money for a friend, the Clark County School District takes first steps to search for a new superintendent and Jeff Gunter, a former Trump official, a doctor and former US ambassador, plans to spend millions to become the Republican nominee for Senate in Nevada. These news articles and many more links below!
State and Local Government Updates
Workers in NV child mental health program say manager bullied them ‘with nobody to help’
A supervisor built a culture of fear, retaliation, and paranoia, 15 employees told The Nevada Independent. She still works for the state. (The Nevada Independent)
Nevada lawmakers back bill that aims to free up Hoover Dam funding
Now the 89-year-old structure is due for some massive maintenance, and legislation introduced this week in Congress aims to free up money for some of the necessary upgrades. (Las Vegas Sun)
State board to launch survey on high school start times, abandons proposed regulation
The State Board of Education is preparing to launch a survey gathering feedback on later high school start times, but is no longer planning to pursue a regulation that would have allowed for the concept to be put into practice. (The Nevada Independent)
The funding will help increase environmental monitoring, computing, and visualization to advance science and education at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe location. (unr.edu)
Clark County School Board takes first step to kick off superintendent search
The trustees hope to have a new superintendent in place by November, and will begin negotiating employment terms with the interim leader. (The Nevada Independent)
A former Eldorado High School teacher who was brutally beaten by a student in her classroom is alleging the Clark County School District knew that its schools were beset by a “lack of safety and security” but failed to take timely action. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Southern Nevada Health District sounds alarm over increase in congenital syphilis cases
Congenital syphilis was found in six babies stillborn and another 53 live births last year in Clark County, sounding an alarm with health officials because the disease is “completely preventable” and can be treated with antibiotics, said Tabby Edelman, senior disease investigation and intervention specialist at the Southern Nevada Health District. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada state senator under FBI investigation
The FBI is investigating whether state Sen. Dina Neal used her influence to secure federal money for a friend, an allegation first exposed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
CCSD’s accelerated path to teacher certification draws national attention
About 400 education support professionals and long-term substitutes have elevated their careers to become fully certified teachers since a partnership between UNLV and the Clark County School District launched less than three years ago. (Las Vegas Sun)
Indy Explains: Why are state employees’ and retirees’ health insurance premiums rising?
The state’s health insurance program is expected to use about $7.3 million from its catastrophic reserve fund to subsidize the monthly premium increases. (The Nevada Independent)
Federal Updates
Opponents of abortion pill may reach back 150 years for next argument
While the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to keep a widely used abortion pill available for now, some conservative justices signaled an interest in considering whether a 151-year-old indecency law should prevent American women from receiving the drug by mail. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Trans Day marked in U.S., Vegas
The day was also marked in events around the world and in the United States, where President Joe Biden proclaimed Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility — the day is recognized internationally on March 31 every year. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
The Trump camp and the White House clash over Biden’s recognition of ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is facing criticism from Donald Trump’s campaign and religious conservatives for proclaiming March 31 — which corresponds with Easter Sunday this year — as “Transgender Day of Visibility. (Associated Press)
U.S. Department of Transportation providing $149 million for Maryland Parkway improvements
It is the largest individual investment the commission has received and is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed with the help of Cortez Masto and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, also a Nevada Democrat. (Las Vegas Sun)
Lombardo backs bill to hasten federal land projects
Lee’s Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts (AACE) Act will help remove federal red tape so the state can move more efficiently on new housing and infrastructure projects, Lombardo said, marking the first time he’s endorsed a Democrat’s bill in Congress as governor. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Increased fees proposed at Nevada recreation sites
The proposed increases would impact 27 sites across the Austin-Tonopah, Carson, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge and Santa Rosa ranger districts and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The affected sites include 22 campgrounds, three day-use areas and two visitor centers. (The Nevada Independent)
For rural papers as old as Nevada itself, a fight for survival in digital age
News outlets that connect some of the state’s most isolated communities are going online-only after printing copies since their towns’ mining camp days. (The Nevada Independent)
With contracts settled, Culinary Union eyes aggressive growth in 2024
After completing 10 months of contract negotiations, the labor organization seeks to expand its Las Vegas presence with The Venetian, Fontainebleau and Sphere. (The Nevada Independent)
Since taking over as President in October 2012, Taylor oversaw the Union’s organizing of 140,000 people from over 1,000 new workplaces, with more than half coming out of Right-to-Work states. (Unitehere.org)
Former Culinary head and national labor leader D. Taylor steps aside
Labor leader D. Taylor, whose four-decade career in union organizing included helping Culinary Workers Union Local 226 become a Nevada political power, stepped down after 12 years as president of UNITE HERE, the local’s 300,000-member parent organization. (The Nevada Independent)
Change, nostalgia in air at Tropicana
The Tropicana had a bittersweet atmosphere on its last Saturday evening in operation. The vintage Vegas hotel-casino closes Tuesday, two days shy of its 67th anniversary. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Don’t blame Las Vegas for Colorado River woes
Last week, Sustainable Waters released are port on water use and the Colorado River. Contrary to what many people believe, the vast majority of the region’s water is used for irrigation to support agricultural interests. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
How Lake Mead Water Levels Have Changed So Far This Year
At the beginning of this year, Lake Mead’s water level was at 1,068.18 feet. With a steady increase through January and February, it reached a peak of 1,076 feet. (Newsweek)
Where does Colorado River water go? Scientists have finally found out
Hay meant to feed farm animals accounts for an overwhelming share of Colorado River water use in the Southwest, scientists have found. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Oakland to present Athletics ownership with lease extension
The city of Oakland will present Athletics ownership with an offer to extend the team’s lease that includes a five-year contract with an opt-out after three years, as well as a requirement the team pays a $97 million “extension fee,” according to document obtained by ESPN and KGO-TV in San Francisco on Saturday. (ESPN)
Meeting today between Oakland A’s, city officials, could determine future at Coliseum
According to ESPN and ABC7, officials are prepared to offer the team a five-year, $97-million extension on the A’s lease at the Coliseum that would keep them in Oakland, Calif., for at least three years, with the option to opt out after 2028, when the A’s ballpark in Las Vegas is expected to be ready for play. (Las Vegas Sun)
Oakland A’s and city still ‘far apart’ on Coliseum lease extension
A meeting between the A’s and Oakland officials on Tuesday provided little hope that the team will sign a lease extension to stay at the Coliseum beyond 2024. (Las Vegas Sun)
A’s talk lease offer with Oakland; Sacramento meeting on tap
Representatives of the Athletics‘ ownership met with officials from Oakland and Alameda County on Tuesday to discuss the city’s most recent offer to keep the Las Vegas-bound team in the Coliseum at least through the 2027 season. (ESPN)
Oakland officials and the Athletics remain “far apart” on striking a lease extension for the Major League Baseball team at the Coliseum, team officials said Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
A’s land temporary home ballpark
The A’s will play at Triple-A ballpark Sutter Health Park for the 2025-27 MLB seasons and have an option for one more year in 2028, should there be any delays in the Las Vegas ballpark construction, the A’s announced Thursday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Eleven acres of land in the Chinatown area of Las Vegas that could be prime for redevelopment is up for sale for $32.5million. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Reno’s median home price dips for second straight month before busy spring season
Reno-Sparks reported a median home sales price of $549,950 for an existing single-family home in February, according to the latest data from Sierra Nevada Realtors. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Vegas Strong Fund taking over completion of 1 October Memorial in Las Vegas
The permanent memorial would be built on the South end of the Strip near the site of the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting that immediately claimed the lives of 58 and wounded hundreds of others. (Las Vegas Sun)
Study: Oct. 1 survivors still feel repercussions
Route 91 Harvest festival survivors continued to struggle with mental health ailments years after the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting on the Strip, according to a Boston University-led study released Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Indy Gaming: Saying farewell to one of the Strip’s last Rat Pack-era resorts
The Tropicana Las Vegas closed Tuesday to make way for a baseball stadium for the relocated Oakland Athletics. But the shutdown began last week as former employees and tourists gave the Rat Pack-era property a send-off. (The Nevada Independent)
A Las Vegas icon closes its doors to await the wrecking ball, then play ball
The crowd outside the Tropicana only grew in anticipation of the door-chaining, and many people took out their cameras and camcorders to capture the resort’s final day. (Las Vegas Sun)
Sacramento will be the A’s home until the Las Vegas stadium is ready
The Oakland Athletics will play home games at a minor league ballpark in Sacramento starting next season while the team’s Las Vegas stadium is under construction. (The Nevada Independent)
There’s no reason for Amodei to oppose high-speed internet for rural Nevadans
Reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity for success and opportunity in the United States. (Las Vegas Sun)
Reno housing permits fell sharply in the last year. Here’s why
Millennials are also renting longer as the average time it takes to save for a house down payment is now at three to four years nationwide. (Reno Gazette Journal)
A recent study found way less trash in Lake Tahoe than in past years
The trash collected on the Nevada side’s 20 hot spots totaled 879.5 pounds of litter in 2023 — a steep drop from 2021’s haul of 2,937 pounds. According to West, unofficial early analysis from the California side, which studied another 10 hot spots, also shows a decrease. (Las Vegas Sun)
Investors suggest debt-saddled Bally’s sell its ownership in closed Tropicana
An investment firm with a small stake in Bally’s Corp. wants the casino operator to sell its ownership in the now-closed Tropicana Las Vegas. The firm doesn’t believe Bally’s has the ability to finance a new Strip development. (The Nevada Independent)
Thanks to ‘Miracle March,’ Nevada’s snowpack again above normal
Nevada’s statewide snowpack is above normal for the second consecutive winter. The last time Nevada saw statewide back-to-back above-normal years was in 2016 and 2017. (The Nevada Independent)
Seek house? Nevadans need $111K
Nevadans now need to make at least $111,557 to afford a monthly mortgage payment, according to a new study from Bankrate. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Election News
Important Dates
Primary Early Voting May 25 Days Until: 50
Primary Election June 11 Days Until: 67
General Election November 5 Days Until: 214
Nevada lawmakers named in election denial report walk back past comments
The two Nevada lawmakers highlighted in a new report tracking election deniers in state legislatures have reversed themselves and now say that there was no evidence that massive voter fraud occurred in the 2020 election. (Rawstory.com)
Rosen launches first re-election ad campaign with focus on bipartisan bonafides
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is launching the first advertisement campaign of her re-election bid this week with a 30-second spot that focuses on her willingness to buck her own party. (The Nevada Independent)
Can Lombardo break the Democrats’ Assembly supermajority? Here’s a look at the terrain
The end goal for Nevada Republicans this year is not to wrest control of the Assembly away from Democrats. They acknowledge there is virtually no chance of that. But a handful of races will determine whether Democrats maintain their current two-thirds supermajority in the lower chamber. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Democratic Assembly candidate regrets sharing anti-abortion Facebook post in 2016
Democratic Assembly candidate Sharifa Wahab clarified that she believes the decision to have an abortion should be left up to a patient and their doctor. (The Nevada Independent)
The church of Trump: How he’s infusing Christianity into his movement
“The great silent majority is rising like never before and under our leadership,” he recites from a teleprompter in a typical version of the script. “We will pray to God for our strength and for our liberty. We will pray for God, and we will pray with God. We are one movement, one people, one family and one glorious nation under God.”(Las Vegas Sun)
Only 1 vote shy of a Nevada Senate supermajority, Democrats look to flip a seat (or more)
Democrats already have a supermajority in the Assembly. If Democrats can maintain that and flip a Senate seat, they will have enough votes to override any veto by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. (Nevada Current)
Voters likely to get say on abortion
The group behind a petition to enshrine abortion protections in Nevada’s constitution announced Tuesday that it has collected more than 110,000 signatures over the last six weeks, signifying it is on pace to appear on the November 2024 ballot. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Democrats’ quest to hang on to Senate majority centers on Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Ohio
WASHINGTON — Political consultants and Beltway pollsters are setting up camp in purple states to join a towering battle for control of a narrowly split U.S. Senate, but come November, only the voters will make that choice. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Lombardo endorses Susie Lee’s lands proposal in rare support for Democrat-led initiative
The endorsement appears to be Lombardo’s first of a federal Nevada Democrat’s bill since he took office in 2023. (The Nevada Independent)
Rosen’s race now rated ‘toss up’
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted Sen. Jacky Rosen’s race from “lean Democrat” to a “toss up,” signifying the Nevada senator could have a tough time winning re-election in the fall. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Former Trump official shakes up crucial battleground Senate race with major announcement
Jeff Gunter, a doctor and former US ambassador, plans to spend millions to become the Republican nominee for Senate in Nevada. (foxnews.com)
Upcoming Fundraisers
Join the Nevada Senate Democrats support
Jennifer Atlas
Monday, April 8, 2024
5:30-7:00PM
Full address is provided with RSVP
Berrer@nvsenatedems.com
_____________________________
Reno City Council Ward 3
Miguel Martinez
Wednesday, April 17th
5:30-7:00 PM
The Peppermill Resort
2707 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
Lakeview Room, Suite 1747
| The Griffin Company is a full-service public policy and government affairs consulting firm based in Nevada. We believe a complete government affairs practice must be able to effectively navigate all levels of government, both with the laws and regulations, as well as with an understanding of and sensitivity to the politics associated with each issue. The Griffin Company provides clients with the breadth of experience – local, state, and federal – that enables a comprehensive approach, integrating policy and relationships at all levels of government. |
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