November 2, 2024
Happy November Everyone! We are just 3 days away from the General Election! Get out there and VOTE!!
State and Local Government Updates
In Las Vegas and across the country, crime down but police shootings up
There has been a rise in officer-involved shootings this year by Metro Police, including a pair of shootings in the last two weeks, data show. Responding officers on 12 occasions have fired their weapons at a suspect — eight times resulting in their death. In 2023, there were 10 shootings involving officers, five of which were fatal. (Las Vegas Sun)
Citing a misunderstanding, GSR’s $1bn arena project seeks tax increment funding from city of Reno
Over the last year, the GSR Reno arena project has generated a lot of conversation but has seen little progress. Local outlets reported ahead of Wednesday’s city council and Redevelopment Agency Board (RDA) meeting that an agenda item had surfaced with a report saying that the GSR had applied to the RDA to designate the development as a “catalyst project”. That designation would make it eligible to receive $97 million in tax increment funding (TIF) from the RDA. (igamingbusiness.com)
Washoe school Trustee Alex Woodley says he won’t resign from board amid sexting scandal
A public records request showed that Woodley sent and received dozens of sexually explicit text messages and photos on his work phone over a two-year period, including at least one exchange during a school board meeting. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Ten candidates file to replace Williams on CCSD board
Ten candidates have submitted applications to the Clark County School Board to represent District B, which has been vacant since Katie Williams resigned in September. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Activists sound alarm as Las Vegas, Clark Co. consider outdoor sleeping bans
The city of Las Vegas and Clark County are set to consider encampment bans prohibiting people from sleeping outside, sounding alarms for activists who say people experiencing homelessness may have nowhere else to go if shelters with beds are at capacity. (Las Vegas Sun)
School Board appoints temporary representative
The Clark County School Board appointed Nakia Jackson-Hale in what will be a four-meeting, two-month stint representing District B. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Federal Updates
$2.26B loan for lithium mine–Energy Department money set for construction financing
The developer of a lithium mine in Nevada’s Humboldt County has received a $2.26 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to help finance the mine’s construction. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Lawsuit alleges review rushed–Latest attempt to block lithium mine
A week after the Bureau of Land Management approved Nevada’s third lithium mine, environmentalists and a Western Shoshone group filed a lawsuit alleging that the agency rushed the environmental review process and violated federal laws. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Articles of Interest
Water plan meetings not public—Lake Mead’s future decided behind closed doors
WHAT ARE THEY HIDING? The fate of 40 million people’s drinking water in the West is being hashed out in closed meetings. The states must reach a consensus every 20 years to update how much water each state is allowed to use, and which must cut their allotment as the system loses water to drought. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Workers tour lithium site–Impact on rural communities, tribes, natural resources detailed
The country has been mining lithium since 1997 — a threat to water resources, workers and Indigenous people. Gostissa, a lawyer, sees these impacts of lithium mining firsthand when she represents El Observatorio Plurinacional de Salares Andinos, a multinational South American advocacy group dedicated to protecting the region’s vast Andean salt flats from largescale lithium projects. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
‘We’re the Disneyland of poop’–To track flu, COVID-19 and mpox, Las Vegas looks to the toilet
Tucked away on the eastern border of Las Vegas is a dirty secret. Whenever a toilet is flushed on the Strip or in unincorporated Clark County, the water flows there through a network of 2,200 miles of pipes, where it is treated to a drinkable standard through solid waste removal and biological treatment. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Trump again plans to move federal workers out of DC
In 2019, the administration of then-President Donald Trump announced plans to relocate the federal government’s largest land management agency from the nation’s capital to Grand Junction, Colo., a city of about 65,000 people a four-hour drive from the nearest major airport. (Las Vegas Sun)
Nevada precipitation levels in 2024 were abnormally normal. What will happen in 2025?
The 2024 water year was abnormally normal. Here’s what to expect for the coming winter and an update on wildfire risk in the state. (The Nevada Independent)
When is the end of daylight saving time in 2024? Set your clocks back Sunday, Nov. 3.
Nevadans can snooze an extra hour this weekend. Daylight saving time comes to an end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, when clocks “fall back” to 1 a.m. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Amazon is closing its north Reno fulfillment center after a decade
First opened in 2015, the closure of the RNO4 fulfillment center will affect hundreds of employees in the Reno area. (Reno Gazette Journal)
After apology for Native American boarding schools, what’s next for Nevada tribes?
Biden apologized for the abuse caused by a federal policy that took Native American children from their homes and sent them to crowded, unsanitary boarding schools, often hundreds of miles from their families. (Reno Gazette Journal)
IndyFest 2024: Executives make the case for expanding Nevada film tax credits
A bill to increase them died in 2023; state lawmakers plan to bring the idea back in 2025. (The Nevada Independent)
Las Vegas metro area could be the biggest winner when it comes to potential cooling power of trees
Las Vegas is heating up faster than almost every other American city, but a new multi-year study may provide local governments some direction for effective heat relief. (Nevada Current)
Harnessing the sun for power–Solar project part of NV Energy’s goal of increasing renewables
More than 334,000 solar panels glisten in the sun at NV Energy’s Dry Lake solar project, harnessing the power of the sun and transmitting it to the power grid for the valley’s 2.3 million residents. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix prep is ramping up–Expect traffic issues around site of race
As Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix preparations ramp up, residents and tourists are likely to notice more travel issues as they navigate roads around the site of next month’s race. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Sports tourism aiding economy–Post-pandemic travel continues to give boost
Las Vegas’ recent emphasis on sports tourism and the apparent reversal of a common visitation trend are keeping Southern Nevada’s tourism economy healthy, a UNLV expert said Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
U.S. economy grows by 2.8%–Spike in consumer spending fuels durability
The U.S. economy grew at a healthy 2.8 percent annual rate from July through September, with consumers helping drive growth despite the weight of still-high interest rates. (The Associated Press)
A’s reveal plan to finance $1.5B ballpark–Fisher family set to contribute $1B
The Athletics laid out Thursday how they plan to finance their $1.5 billion Las Vegas Strip ballpark, with team owner John Fisher’s family set to contribute up to $1 billion. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Badlands settlement vote could come next week
A settlement between the city of Las Vegas and the would-be developer of the defunct Badlands golf course could be coming. The Las Vegas City Council could vote as early as Wednesday — a day after the general election — on a settlement proposal between $250 million and $286 million, according to a council meeting agenda. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
MGM, Caesars expect F1 slip–Companies still see a lift from race visitors
The Strip’s two largest hotel-casino operators are acknowledging that the upcoming Formula One race will not provide the same boost to their bottom lines as it did in 2023, when the event debuted in Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
South Lake Tahoe ballot battleground–Tax increase for vacant vacation homes at issue
South Lake Tahoe, which sits on the shores of the iconic alpine lake, has about 7,000 vacant homes — 44 percent of the city’s estimated housing units — according to the 2022 American Community Survey. Measure N would levy a flat $3,000 tax on homes that are vacant 182 days within a calendar year. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Election Updates
Important Dates
- General Election: November 5th Days Until: 3
- The last day for counties to receive and count postmarked mail ballots is Saturday, Nov. 9.
Nevadans will make their voices heard in the election this year. This year’s ballot includes the presidential race, competitive U.S. Senate and House races, dozens of legislative races, and seven ballot measures. Here you’ll find all of the Current’s coverage of this year’s elections. (Nevada Current)
Updated, 5 PM, 11/1/24. (The Nevada Independent)
Introducing our 2024 voter guide on key judicial races
Our guide of key judicial races attempts to remove the veil from the least transparent elections of all. A panel of lawyers studied background documents prepared by Boyd Law School students about the candidates running for judicial positions. The candidates’ bios and their questionnaires can be found here. (The Nevada Independent)
When will Nevada ballots be counted and election results known? | Ask the RGJ
Polls close at 7 p.m. Nov. 5. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Reporting results before the last voter votes is a crime. (Reno Gazette Journal)
With votes, lawsuits–Secretary of state, Nevada courts say they’re ready
Four years ago, Republicans in Nevada filed a slew of legal challenges to the 2020 election and spread unfounded claims of mass election fraud. The then-Republican secretary of state and her staff spent over 100 hours investigating the claims and determined there was no evidence to suggest there was mass fraud, and multiple judges ultimately dismissed the challenges. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Walz urges Nevada to vote early–VP nominee notes close race in valley stops, hits on tribal issues
Gov. Tim Walz encouraged Nevadans to vote early during his multiple campaign stops in Southern Nevada on Sunday, just nine days from the Nov. 5 election. Walz’s visit came in the middle of Nevada’s two week early voting period that ends Friday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
At listening session, Latinos express dissatisfaction with both parties
For more than an hour, participants at the event expressed wide-ranging grievances with the current state of affairs. (The Nevada Independent)
Trump promises‘ greatest years ’in Garden party
The event was a surreal spectacle that included former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw, someone who painted a picture of Trump hugging the Empire State Building, and politicians including House Speaker Mike Johnson. At times, it felt like an amped-up version of the Republican. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Harris’ labor allies sprint to reach working-class voters
Vice President Kamala Harris’ allies in organized labor have begun a late drive to help her with white working-class voters, her weakest demographic, in the face of great skepticism overinflation, old grudges about free trade, new ones about student-loan forgiveness, and a profound blue-collar affinity for former President Donald Trump. (Las Vegas Sun)
Voters fret that high medical bills are being ignored by presidential rivals
“How much are we going to pay?” she said. “It’s just something that’s always on my mind.” Health care hasn’t figured prominently in this increasingly acrimonious presidential campaign. (Las Vegas Sun)
Harris and Trump deadlocked to the end , final Times/Siena national poll finds
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are locked in a dead heat for the popular vote, 48% to 48%, the final national poll by The New York Times and Siena College has found, as the vice president struggles for an edge over the former president with an electorate that seems impossibly and immovably divided. (Las Vegas Sun)
Former President Donald Trump has pledged a nationwide purge and deportation of up to 15 million immigrants, creating a scenario unprecedented in American history. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada events abound as campaigns ‘more aware that the Asian vote matters’
Scheduling Diwali celebrations and touting “Pinoy pride,” candidates from both parties see opportunities among the state’s fastest-growing voter bloc. (The Nevada Independent)
Nevada Supreme Court rules non-postmarked ballots can be counted within 3 days of election
Five of the high court’s justices ruled that justices disagreed with Republicans’ interpretation of the law at the center of the lawsuit and determined it would not be in the public interest to change the election procedures this late in the cycle. (The Nevada Independent)
Lombardo to activate 60 Nevada National Guard soldiers to help with Election Day security
Gov. Joe Lombardo plans to activate the National Guard on Election Day in order “to ensure a smooth, secure and safe election for the people of Nevada in 2024,” his office said in a statement Monday night. (Reno Gazette Journal)
RNC ballot lawsuit blocked–Mailed votes without postmarks can be counted after Election Day
Mail ballots arriving after Election Day without a postmark can be counted up to three days after the election, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Monday, preserving a practice that was targeted by Republican activists. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Postal Service urges voters not to delay—Wants to ensure all mail ballots on time
With just over a week to go before Election Day and with ballots from nearly a third of the state’s registered voters already received, officials with the U.S. Postal Service are urging voters who plan to vote by mail to send their ballots off soon. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nye County settles suit, lifting election observer checks
Nye County will not restrict election observers after a lawsuit settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Harris promises boost for Black voters courted by Trump
Kamala Harris is seeking to persuade Black Americans that she can narrow America’s centuries-old racial wealth gap, a task that’s become urgent as Donald Trump makes inroads with a group that could tip the presidential election. ()(Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Nevada Republicans maintain lead over Democrats in early voting turnout
With eight days until Election Day, Nevada Republicans are maintaining a lead in early voting turnout over Democrats, nonpartisans and those affiliated with third parties. But in the state’s most populous county, Democrats have cast more ballots than others ahead of the Nov. 5 election. In Clark County, 164,485 Democrats, 158,695 Republicans and 116,750 other voters have cast ballots, according to the Secretary of State’s Office this morning. (Las Vegas Sun)
Unraveling Trump’s promise to deport 15 million
Former President Donald Trump has pledged a nationwide purge and deportation of up to 15 million immigrants, creating a scenario unprecedented in American history. (Las Vegas Sun)
Manager of a key Nevada swing county goes on medical leave ahead of election
Washoe County has received attention in recent weeks after turnover at the top of the elections office there. Now, with the departure of Manager Eric Brown, both elections and county government operations will be overseen by deputies during what is expected to be a very close election in this politically important county. (Las Vegas Sun)
Experts weigh in on how ranked-choice voting could transform Nevada elections
In a 50-minute discussion at IndyFest, panelists also addressed the potential of a voter ID requirement and concerns about post-election unrest. (The Nevada Independent)
Final results may lag in deadlocked presidential contest, anxious election officials warn
WASHINGTON — As an exceedingly bitter, tight and dark campaign for the presidency moves into its last moments, apprehensive election officials and experts warn Election Day is only the first step. (Nevada Current)
Harris’ closing argument: Turn page on Trump, avert chaos
WASHINGTON — On Jan. 6, 2021, President Donald Trump stood onstage at the Ellipse, a park just south of the White House, and encouraged thousands of his supporters to fight to overturn an election he falsely claimed had been stolen. (Las Vegas Sun)
Access to voting for Indigenous communities is expanding in Nevada
When Arnold Thomas was attending college at the University of Utah, going to vote required walking a few blocks in Salt Lake City to a polling place. But back home at the Duck Valley Indian Reservation on the Nevada-Idaho border, the nearest polling center was a few hours’ drive along a two-lane highway that’s often snowy this time of year. (Las Vegas Sun)
COURTING NEVADA–Trump charms his fans at rally in Henderson
Former President Donald Trump revved up his supporters to get out and vote Thursday afternoon in the campaign’s final push ahead of the Nov. 5 election. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Harris urges early vote, pans Trump’s character
In another push to win Nevada’s vote days before election day, Vice President Kamala Harris rallied thousands of attendees in North Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Trump, Harris strike opposing tones in closing message to Nevadans
Republican nominee Donald Trump repeatedly called for the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants during a rally Thursday in Henderson, describing the country as “occupied” with migrants overcrowding schools and hospitals while gangs are “conquering” cities across the country. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Takeaways from Kamala Harris’ closing pitch in Nevada
Harris leaned into her policy proposals designed to build up the working class, billing herself as the only person in the race fighting for people’s freedoms. (The Nevada Independent)
Legislative Updates
Important Dates
First Day of Legislative Session February 3rd Days Until: 93
Check out the 541 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.
Unfazed by Lombardo veto, Assembly Dems reprise rent stability measure
Gov. Joe Lombardo, who in 2023 vetoed legislation designed to protect seniors and the disabled from predatory landlords, could pay at the polls in 2026 should he do it again, says Assembly Majority Floor Leader Sandra Jauregui. (Nevada Current)
| 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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