The G3Wire

September 27, 2024

The State of Nevada had $1.24 billion set aside for emergencies, meaning that its so-called “Rainy-Day Fund” is fully funded, according to officials. Governor Lombardo and State Treasurer Zach Conine announced that a transfer last week of $12.67 million from the general fund put the emergency fund over the top. In election news, early voting isn’t scheduled to begin for another 25 days, but the first votes in Nevada’s 2024 election cycle have started to roll in through the state’s digital absentee voting system. For the first time in history, Native American voters in Nevada cast ballots through the state’s online absentee voting system. In federal updates, Representative Steven Horsford introduced the Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act. TIPS is aimed at eliminating the $2.13 subminimum wage for tipped workers across the United States. It also ends taxing on tips received by these workers. These and so many more Nevada news links below!

Updates from the Governor’s Office

ICYMI: State Superintendent Demands Answers on Budget Shortfall from Clark County School District

In case you missed it, this week State Superintendent Jhone Ebert wrote Interim Clark County School District Superintendent Brenda Larsen-Mitchell to request information and demand answers on the potential budget shortfall within the school district. (gov.nv.gov) 

Governor Lombardo Requests Legislative Commission Audit into Clark County School District Budget

LAS VEGAS, NV – Last night, Governor Joe Lombardo wrote to Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro to request that the Legislative Commission amends its audit of Clark County School District (CCSD) to include an investigation of its budget shortfalls. (gov.nv.gov)

State and Local Government Updates

CCSD advised to delay chief hire—Recruiter wants board to wait until March

The firm hired to conduct the Clark County School District’s superintendent search is recommending the board delay its timeline into 2025 because of concerns over instability. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

BLM environmental review gives go-ahead to proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada

Last week, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management advanced Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron mine and chemical processing plant near Tonopah and released a final environmental impact statement that finds the mining project should be allowed to proceed. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Too many students left behind–Class-action suit claims CCSD failed children with disabilities

Multiple families filed a class-action lawsuit Wednesday that accuses the Clark County School District of failing to provide a proper education for students with disabilities. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada officials: ‘Rainy-Day Fund’ at 100%

The State of Nevada on Wednesday had $1.24 billion set aside for emergencies, meaning that its so-called “Rainy-Day Fund” is fully funded, according to officials. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Chancellor search, constitutional role among issues facing NSHE regent candidates

The responsibilities of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents include overseeing the system’s sizable budget, setting tuition prices, and hiring a chancellor and school presidents. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Council finalizes Reno’s 136-unit affordable housing deal for former homeless shelter

The Reno City Council made final negotiations on the 136-unit affordable housing deal at the former homeless shelter on Record Street. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Answers sought on budget shortfall–Ebert puts CCSD on notice in letter

The head of the state’s Department of Education is demanding answers from the interim superintendent of the Clark County School District about the district’s potential budget shortfall. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Federal Updates

Without the Chevron deference, what comes next for public lands?

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision abolished a longstanding rule, known as the Chevron deference, that allowed science and fact-based information to help courts make challenging legal decisions. (The Nevada Independent)

Congress staves off shutdown—Short-term spending deal includes funds for Secret Service

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders announced an agreement Sunday on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months, averting a possible partial government shutdown when the new budget year begins Oct. 1 and pushing final decisions until after the November election. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Representative Steven Horsford introduced the Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act. TIPS is aimed at eliminating the $2.13 subminimum wage for tipped workers across the United States. It also ends taxing on tips received by these workers. This bill will ensure that all workers receive fair wages, so they do not have to rely on tips to make ends meet. (Horsford.house.gov)

Corrections officers file complaint against NDOC

Corrections officers filed a complaint against their employer, the Nevada Department of Corrections, alleging that the department neglected to heed safety concerns from officers regarding the transportation this month of nearly 2,000 inmates between prisons. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Judges wrestle with latest opinion on gun rights

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court’s latest opinion on gun rights has done little so far to eliminate the disagreement and confusion among federal judges who must decide the constitutionality of gun restrictions across the nation, legal experts say.(Las Vegas Sun)

Reno’s issues with US Postal Service far from over, Amodei warns

Although the U.S. Postal Service gave notice last month it was abandoning plans to reroute Reno-area mail processing to Sacramento, the battle with USPS is not over, Nevada’s 2nd U.S. House District Rep. Mark Amodei said on “Nevada Newsmakers” recently. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Water Authority gets $20M for erosion control

The money comes from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Water SMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program. It will go to the Southern Nevada Water Authority to build an erosion control structure, or weir, located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Horsford moves to censure Louisiana Republican Higgins over racist post

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) moved to censure Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) after a public confrontation with the Louisiana Republican about a racist post on X in which he called Haitians “thugs” and told them to “get their ass out of our country” before Inauguration Day. (The Nevada Independent)

Horsford moves to censure Louisiana Republican Higgins over racist post

The Nevada Democrat, who confronted his colleague on the floor, said Higgins’ rhetoric is harming Haitian Americans. (The Nevada Independent)

Postal chief insists to Congress that mail-in ballots will get delivered in time

WASHINGTON — United States Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified before Congress on Thursday that voters can “absolutely” trust their mail-in ballots will be secure and prioritized, though he emphasized they must be mailed at least a week ahead of the various state deadlines to be delivered on time. (Nevada Current)

Articles of Interest

US Secretary of Labor celebrates all-union Las Vegas Strip with Culinary

Now, under the ownership of Apollo Global Management, which along with real estate investment trust Vici Properties purchased the hotels for $6.25 billion in Feb. 2022, a year after Adelson’s death, Culinary Local 226 is celebrating the end of an era and the dawn of an all-union Strip. (Reno Gazette Journal) 

Nevada ranks No. 10 nationwide in rent rates per square feet list

Nevada ranks No. 10 nationwide in rent rates per square foot, according to a study.  The Perfect Rug, a company that sells rugs online with a location in Boise, Idaho, analyzed the nationwide housing market to identify states with the highest rent per square foot.  The average Nevada rent is $104.36 per square foot, according to the release. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Reno posts 2nd-highest median home price; Fed cuts rates

The median home sales price in the city of Reno remains way above $600,000. Will Fed rate cuts help homebuyers? (Reno Gazette Journal)

Fixing casino security flaw—Gaming regulators find work-around to keep guards armed

The importance of casino safety and a quick response was illustrated in early August when a man who stabbed two Red Rock Resort employees with a knife was apprehended after a confrontation in the casino. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Local authorities keep their eyes peeled for water waste violations

The water district has conducted more than 300,000 water waste investigations and assessed more than $5 million in fees to water wasters, Enus said. In 2023, it conducted over 46,000 field and data investigations, such as using watering data to indicate if a resident is watering on an unassigned day. (Las Vegas Sun)

D.C. Download: Miriam Adelson: Jews have a ‘sacred duty’ to vote for Trump

Adelson, the wife of the late gaming magnate Sheldon Adelson and an ardent supporter of her native Israel, has been among the chief financiers of Trump’s political ambitions. (The Nevada Independent)

Renewable energy revolution in rural America

In the heart of rural Nevada, Kevin Cook is proving that innovation isn’t just for the bustling cities — it’s thriving in America’s heartland, thanks to a boost from the federal funds. (Reno Gazette Journal-Solar United Neighbors)

Nevada is the loneliest state in US, study finds. What’s causing isolation among Nevadans?

The state that’s home to one of the world’s most glamorous entertainment meccas is also the loneliest state in America. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Indy Gaming: Down to their last strike, Oakland fans lament A’s pending departure

The Oakland Athletics play their final game at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday before a three-year temporary relocation to Sacramento. It’s been a sad farewell for a fanbase that has stayed loyal to the team as it begins the journey to land in Las Vegas by 2028. (The Nevada Independent) 

Opening statements and witnesses in Fiore trial

In their opening statements for the wire fraud trial of former Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore Wednesday, attorneys presented divergent pictures of Fiore: a prosecutor alleged she took advantage of the community’s desire to honor fallen officers for personal gain and Fiore’s attorney said she had been “sloppy but not criminal.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Full speed ahead on F1 lawsuits–Construction for 2023 Grand Prix impacted businesses

Off-Strip restaurant Ferraro’s Ristorante filed a suit in District Court on Tuesday against various entities, including the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Formula One’s parent company Liberty Media, and Clark County, seeking over $50,000 in damages tied to lost business from last year’s race. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Tahoe is the oldest lake in North America, 3rd in the world, study says

Lake Tahoe is the oldest lake in North America and the third oldest in the world, according to new research presented at the Geological Society of America’s annual meeting on Monday in Anaheim.(Las Vegas Sun)

The Athletics are the last major pro sports team still standing in Oakland after other departures

Here’s a look at each team that has left Oakland, in order of departure and with details on each move. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Environment: Mormon cricket outbreaks — ‘unique and amazing’ or a giant nuisance?

A recent court decision could have ramifications on how Mormon crickets, grasshoppers and other insects are managed across millions of acres in 17 Western states. (The Nevada Independent) 

Latest GOP accusation that turns out to be a confession: Animal cruelty

In the past few weeks, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have capitalized on a disturbing and false narrative: that legal immigrants in America, specifically Haitian immigrants in Ohio are stealing and eating people’s pets. (Las Vegas Sun)

Reno airport credits region’s growth for busiest summer in 2 decades

Higher passenger traffic “a testament to the region’s growth,” according to Reno-Tahoe International Airport. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Oakland mourns the final walk-off–A’s end on a win as Vegas prepares new home

OAKLAND, Calif. — It was a few hours before the Athletics would play their final game at Oakland Coliseum on Thursday, the end of a 57-year journey of ups and downs of championship moments and countless forgettable ones of hoisting trophies and suffering through 100-loss seasons, when a certain song blared throughout the home clubhouse. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Election News

Important Dates

General Early Voting                                      October 19^th                Days Until: 22

General Election                                             November 5^th              Days Until: 39

US Supreme Court declines to restore Green Party to Nevada ballot

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Friday to restore the Green Party to the Nevada ballot, cementing a bid by Democrats to keep the party and its presidential candidate Jill Stein from competing in this battleground state in the Nov. 5 election. (Reno Gazette Journal)

In partisan Senate, does Jacky Rosen’s ‘kill ’em with kindness’ approach work?

Some senators’ currency is media attention; others are known for their erudite mastery of a policy niche; some operate on ruthless instinct. Rosen’s approach is all about friendliness — but, as Harris alluded to, kindness can be killer. (The Nevada Independent)

Presidential Race Tight in Nevada

Just weeks out from Election Day, the race to the White House is dead heat among Nevada likely voters. According to recent public opinion polling data from Noble Predictive Insights’ (NPI) latest Nevada Public Opinion Pulse (NVPOP), Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are neck and neck in both a full ballot and a head-to-head. (noblepredictiveinsights.com)

Morning Digest: Why the House GOP is giving up on Nevada

The official campaign arm of the House GOP just added another Nevada hopeful to its list of featured candidates, but D.C. Republicans aren’t matching words with deeds. In fact, the National Republican Congressional Committee seems to have given up on the Silver State entirely—a remarkable development given how often it’s hosted competitive congressional elections. (the-downballot.com)

Got a Nevada signature verification form in the mail? Here are 3 things to know.

Confused voters are flooding Washoe County with questions about voter signature verification cards the Nevada Secretary of State’s office sent out last week. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Historian who predicted 9 of the last 10 elections says 2024 pick set off ‘avalanche’

Some election-watchers waited on pins and needles for a prediction from Allan Lichtman, a 77-year-old distinguished professor of history at American University who lives in Bethesda, Maryland.  (Reno Gazette Journal)

Nevadans have cast first votes of the 2024 general election

For the first time in history, Native American voters in Nevada cast ballots through the state’s online absentee voting system. (The Nevada Independent) 

As Nov. election nears, housing, homelessness top issues in Nevada

Nevada’s nearly 100,000 low-income households often sacrifice food or health care to avoid being evicted from their homes, according to a 2024 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. (Las Vegas Sun)

Trump, Harris, in visits to key states, clash over economic visions

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday were in battleground states each must win to become president, as the nominees clashed over their visions for managing the economy. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

On the Record: Senate District 15 candidates Angie Taylor and Mike Ginsburg

In separate, in-depth interviews with The Nevada Independent, Taylor and Ginsburg answered questions across a wide range of policy areas. (The Nevada Independent) 

Vegas mayor candidates agree on ending Badlands drama, but spar on how

During a candidates forum, Las Vegas mayoral candidates Shelley Berkley and Victoria Seaman agreed the city needs to settle the long-running land-use dispute surrounding the defunct Badlands golf course. (The Nevada Independent) 

In swing states that once went for Trump, unions organize to prevent a repeat

Editor’s note: This five-day series explores the priorities of voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as they consider the upcoming presidential election. With the outcome expected to be close, these “swing states” may decide the future of the country. (The Nevada Independent)

Washoe County registrar of voters to take a leave of absence ahead of election

Cari-Ann Burgess’ leave from the key role in Nevada’s major swing county comes after multiple snafus, including misprinted ballots. (The  Nevada Independent)

With Question 6, Nevadans have opportunity to double down on abortion rights 

Because of the way state-level abortion protections were established in Nevada, abortion law is largely shielded from meddling by state lawmakers. But one ballot measure up for consideration by voters this year promises to make those protections even stronger. (Nevada Current)

Trump quietly prepares pitch to Latter-day Saint voters

A week after the Harris campaign launched an advisory committee to target Latter-day Saint voters in Arizona, the Trump campaign is quietly prepping a pitch of its own. (deseret.com)

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen faces challenge in Nevada from Republican Sam Brown

The Cook Political Report has moved Nevada’s Senate race from the “tossup” category to “lean Democrat.” Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is facing a challenge from Republican Sam Brown. (wbur.org)

Harris says the right to be safe is a civil right, as Biden signs order on gun technology

Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday she believes the right to be safe is a civil right — and that means a right to live free from gun  violence — as President Joe Biden signed an executive order that seeks to restrict new technologies that make guns easier to fire and obtain. (Las Vegas Sun)

On the Record: Assembly District 29 candidates Annette Dawson Owens and Joe Dalia

With five-term Democratic Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen’s upcoming departure, Democrat Joe Dalia and Republican Annette Dawson Owens are vying for the newly open seat. (The  Nevada Independent)

After hiatus, League of Women Voters resurfaces in Nevada

Nevada’s chapter of the nonpartisan group focused on voter registration and education had disbanded in 2020. (Las Vegas Sun)

Legislative Updates

Important Dates

First Day of Legislative Session         February 3^rd                Days Until: 129

Check out the 523 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.  

Upcoming Fundraisers

Fundraiser in Support of

Hiedi Kasama

Brian Hibbetts

Bert Gurr

Gregory Hafen

Monday, September 30, 2024

11:30am-1:30pm

Bootlegger Italian Bistro

7700 Las Vegas Blvd South

Las Vegas, NV 89123

____________________________

Campaign Fundraiser

Re-Elect

Cynthia Cruz

Las Vegas Justice Court, Dept. 5

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Foundation Room

Mandalay Bay

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd,

Las Vegas, NV 89119

For More Information or to RSVP, 

Please call (702) 545-8777 or Tom@LetiziaAgency.com

____________________________

Reception in Support for

Governor Joe Lombardo 

Friday, October 18, 2024 

5:30 p.m. – _7:00 p.m. 

Brasserie St. James 

901 South Center Street 

Reno, NV 89501 

Please RSVP with Tim Perez at 

(702) 242-1414 or tperez@octoberinc.org