The G3Wire

November 22, 2024

The discussions over water and public land are some of the big topics in Nevada news this week.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released a breakdown of five potential paths forward for thefragile state-to-state negotiations surrounding Colorado River operating guidelines that must be updated by 2026.  The Colorado River, which is Southern Nevada’s primary source of water, holds a precarious future as the basin experiences historic drought and state leaders disagree on how to deal with shortages. Lands bills for Clark and Washoe counties passed out of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, clearing a key procedural hurdle as the time for full Senate passage dwindles. And the Nevada State Democrats released the caucus leadership and committee membership ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session.  These Nevada News Links and so much more Below!

Governor’s Office Updates

Governor Lombardo Announces Appointment of Jason Woodbury to First Judicial District, Dept. I

CARSON CITY, NV – Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced Jason Woodbury as his selection to the First Judicial District Court, Department I. Woodbury currently serves as District Attorney for Carson City, where he has served since, he was first elected in November 2014. (gov.nv.gov.com)

State and Local Government Updates

Deputy county manager resigns–Bateman leaves one year after $60K search

Clark County paid tens of thousands of dollars to an executive search firm to find a replacement for an embattled deputy county manager, only to have the new hire resign after a year, records show. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Could ruling in Utah case set precedent for Nevada to take ownership of public land?

A billboard in support of Utah’s lawsuit challenging federal control over Bureau of Land Management land in the state hangs over Interstate 15 from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. (Las Vegas Sun)

Clark, Washoe lands bills pass key Senate hurdle. Time to make them law is running short.

The committee votes are the first marker of how senators feel about the bills. The Washoe lands bill passed 10-9, on a party-line vote, while the Clark bill was a more bipartisan endeavor, passing 13-6. (The Nevada Independent)

Metro’s new wellness center offers mental health support for Las Vegas officers

The center is staffed with seven full-time clinicians and six peer support liaisons whose sole duty will be providing Metro officers with mental health care, from individualized therapy to group sessions with whole squads.  (Las Vegas Sun)

County rejects sales tax hike–Commissioners say detailed plan on homelessness lacking

Clark County commissioners briefly considered — and then rejected — a possible countywide sales tax increase to fund services for the homeless population. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

North Las Vegas appoints city attorney

North Las Vegas’ acting city attorney was officially appointed to the role Wednesday

Andy Moore had taken on the duties in April, when former City Attorney Micaela Moore was elevated to city manager. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada AG shares what immigrants should know when stopped by police

Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford released “Know Your Rights” documents to inform immigrants of their rights when stopped by police or immigration officers. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada adopts first-ever regulation to protect workers from heat

After a lengthy process that brought industry and activists to the table, Nevada approved its first-ever set of rules to protect indoor and outdoor workers from the heat. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Clark County deputy manager leaves after a year, expensive search

The county initially refused to provide his resignation letter but acquiesced after Sam Bateman gave his approval. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

WCSD to appoint replacement trustee for Rodriguez after he was elected to Sparks council

The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees is looking for candidates to fill the District C seat after Trustee Joe Rodriguez stepped down. Rodriguez, who was elected to the Sparks City Council on Nov. 5, left his school board role right after the election. Nevada doesn’t allow people to hold two elected positions at the same time. (thisisreno.com)

Two Moms for Liberty allies joining the Clark County School Board. What happens now?

Culture war issues centered in the Clark County School Board’s races will likely be a source of tension next year as two former members of a conservative parents group join the 11-member board. (The Nevada Independent)

Ford and other Democratic AGs vow to form ‘a line of defense against Trump’

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford says he intends to be a “bulwark” against President-elect Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda and attacks on other marginalized communities. (Nevada Current)

Workers get relief from heat–First-ever protection regulation approved after four years

Nevada approved its first-ever regulation to protect indoor and outdoor workers from the heat on Wednesday after a four-year process that saw a failed bill and later brought industry representatives and activists to the table. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Federal Updates

HUD delivers more than $37 million for affordable housing in Reno

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has completed a $37 million transaction to boost affordable housing in Reno. The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) funding with the Reno Housing Authority will create 150 new affordable rental homes and upgrade existing public housing in the area. (thisisreno.com)

D.C. Download: Susie Lee wants to be the voice of battleground Dems in the House

To win the role, Lee will face Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), who just won a second term representing Cincinnati and its red suburbs, and Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), who, like Lee, is going into her fourth term and represents western Washington, including Seattle exurbs. (The Nevada Independent)

Transgender students flood crisis hotlines as Trump pledges to roll back LGBTQ+ protections

Many LGBTQ+ teens worry about what a second Trump term will mean for their lives, especially after the president-elect’s allies spent heavily on ads with anti-transgender messages, including on Nevada airwaves. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada may see less solar, more gas plants under Trump administration

More than two-thirds of public land in Nevada is owned by the federal government, giving the U.S. Department of the Interior — the government agency that oversees the nation’s natural and cultural resources — an outsized influence in the state. (Nevada Current)

Clark County Lands Bill’s boosters see economic growth, critics see unsustainable urban sprawl

Legislation to open thousands of acres in Clark County for development while conserving environmentally sensitive lands cleared a crucial hurdle in the U.S. Senate Tuesday, prompting mixed reactions from Nevada conservation groups. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Clark County strives to meet clean-air standards with updated ozone emissions plan

The county’s Supplemental Implementation Plan, turned in this month to the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, is a collection of regulations and documents used by a state to enforce the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and fulfill other requirements of the Clean Air Act, according to the EPA. (Las Vegas Sun)

‘Clear as mud’: Feds offer vague window into Colorado River negotiations

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released five alternatives that signal where negotiations are headed as President-elect Donald Trump takes office in 2025. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Feds release long-term Colorado River management options, including water cutbacks

Amid stalled negotiations over how to manage the troubled Colorado River in the coming decades, the federal government offered clashing states four different management options for the river Wednesday. (Nevada Current)

Cortez Masto shows Utah how public land sales are done

Across the West, debates about federal land sales and ownership are coming into the foreground as the new administration prepares to come into office. (Nevada Current)

Paths for talks given for Colorado

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released a breakdown Wednesday of five potential paths forward for the fragile state-to-state negotiations surrounding Colorado River operating guidelines that must be updated by 2026.(Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada US Rep. Susie Lee votes with GOP majority on controversial nonprofit bill

Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee was one of 15 House Democrats to join the Republican majority in voting Thursday to pass legislation that would allow the Treasury Department to revoke organizations of their nonprofit status if they are accused of supporting terrorism. (Las Vegas Sun)

What to know about the congressional push to expand some Social Security benefits

The Social Security bill on Nov. 12 won bipartisan support in the House, 327-75 — with all four Nevadans in support. Here’s what to know about the legislation, which would affect more than 45,000 Nevadans. (The Nevada Independent)

Articles of Interest

Manufacturing already has made a comeback

The largest percentage changes in manufacturing jobs were in Nevada (up 14%), Utah (up 11%), and Arizona and Florida (each up 9%). The largest raw numbers of new manufacturing jobs were in Texas (up 48,200), Florida (up 35,100) and Georgia (up 22,900). (Nevada Current)

 Las Vegas Strip-area businesses continue to bemoan F1’s costly effects

For a group of businesses near the Las Vegas Strip, road construction and closures for this week’s Las Vegas Grand Prix continue to be costly. (Las Vegas Sun)

‘Her remarkable life’–Coach’s wife was pillar of Las Vegas’ community as educator, politician

Lois Tarkanian, the wife of UNLV’s most famous basketball coach who also carved out her own identity in education, politics and community service, died Monday morning, according to family and officials. She was 90. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Robert Telles appeals conviction in RJ reporter’s murder

Robert Telles has filed a handwritten notice of his intent to appeal his criminal conviction for the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Reserved parking available at airport

Harry Reid International Airport has launched an online reserved parking program just in time for the annual holiday rush.  The airport’s pilot program will provide 636 reserved parking slots – 286 at Terminal 1 on level 2M of the parking garage and 350 at level 1 at Terminal 3’s parking garage. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

California water recycling plant gains $26M to feed Lake Mead

The toilet-to-tap effort known as the Pure Water Southern California project got an additional $99 million in May. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

5 things to know about the Badlands saga

Nearly a decade after Yohan Lowie bought the golf course to build an expansive housing project, the legal battle with the city of Las Vegas appears to be nearing a resolution. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Clark County, Nevada, shares a name with about a dozen other counties across the U.S.

Here’s a brief rundown of the dozen counties that at least share a name and how they rank by population, according to 2023 U.S. Census figures. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Policies to improve child care, elder care exist, but political willpower needed, says panel
Boosting Nevada’s beleaguered child care and elder care industries makes economic sense for the state, a trio of reports argues, and recommendations on how to do just that have already been laid out for policymakers to consider. (Nevada Current)

These are 5 of the best paying jobs in Nevada if you only graduated high school

For more than 600,000 Nevadans, a high school diploma is the highest level of education they’ve attained. That’s enough for these higher-earning jobs.  A 2023 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau found that, more specifically, almost 27% of Nevadans who are 25 years old or older only have a high school diploma or the equivalent. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Washoe library officials scrambling after voters shoot down funding measure

Voters failed to approve 30 years of funding for Washoe County libraries. Now, the system could face massive cuts if commissioners direct the money elsewhere. (The Nevada Independent)

Despite lower ticket prices and room rates, fewer fans forecast for F1 events this week

When the Las Vegas Grand Prix begins its second run in Las Vegas tonight, the Formula One racers will likely be competing in front of fewer fans. (Las Vegas Sun)

Manfred doubles down: Vegas ‘going to happen’

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says the Athletics’ move to Las Vegas is on track — without a doubt. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A ski resort in the Ruby Mountains? No thanks, Elko County says

A request by a private landowner to rezone thousands of acres in the Ruby Mountains was shot down by the Elko County Planning Commission Thursday evening — the latest in attempts to build a ski resort there that date back to the 1950s. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada’s high school graduation rate rises slightly, remains below pre-pandemic levels

Nevada’s high school graduation rate continues to inch closer to its pre-pandemic level as schools are working to help their students recover from disruptions that included a move to virtual learning. (The Nevada Independent)

Legislative Updates

Important Dates

First Day of Legislative Session               February 3^rd                       Days Until: 73

• Check out the 558 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.

• Bills from the 83^rd Legislative session – to date: 160 bill

The Nevada State Democrats announced caucus Leadership and committee membership ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session.  (X)

Why did this Nevada legislator travel to Rio, Dublin, Norway and Normandy last year?

Rio and Dublin, Norway and Normandy, are popular tourist destinations. They are also locations of “legislative leaders study tours” taken by a leader of Nevada’s Assembly last year. The trips, paid for by outside groups, were among those reported by Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager in a financial disclosure statement required under Nevada law. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Election News

Big voter turnout this year benefited Republicans, contradicting conventional political wisdom

In Nevada, nearly 1.5 million ballots were cast, exceeding 2020 levels. That year, Trump had warned expanded mail balloting would forever sideline Republicans. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Explains: How mass challenges to Nevada voter registrations face uphill legal battle

A conservative group challenged more than 30,000 voters’ eligibility, but state law requires familiarity with individual cases to try to nullify a registration. (The Nevada Independent)

Statement on Results of the 2024 Presidential Election From the Attorney General

“While my Office respects our political process and adheres to its outcome, it also acknowledges that the result of the presidential election has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty for many Nevadans. The president-elect’s rhetoric regarding, for example, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color has not gone ignored or unnoticed by my office. (ag.nv.gov)

No recount requests filed for 2024 election in Clark County

No candidate in Clark County filed a request for a recount, the deadline for which was Wednesday evening. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Harris lost support from women overall — but not women over 65

Vice President Kamala Harris’ potentially history-making bid to become the first woman in the White House did little to bring more women voters into the Democratic Party during the first presidential election after the loss of federal abortion rights, with seemingly one exception: women over 65. (Nevada Current)

Nevada’s top election official eyes changes to speed up ballot counting

Cisco Aguilar told The Indy that many ballots in the state’s two largest counties were not immediately counted, likely because of staffing levels. (The Nevada independent)

Presidential Transition News

Trump confirms plans to use the military to assist in mass deportations

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Monday that he intended to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military in some form to assist in his plans for mass deportations of immigrants who do not have legal residency status. (Las Vegas Sun)

Trump picks for Education, Medicare, Treasury

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department. He also selected Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former television talk show host and heart surgeon, to head the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans, and named Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department. (The Associated Press)

Trump chooses TV’s Dr. Oz to run Medicare and Medicaid

 President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former television talk show host and heart surgeon, to head the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Trump backs ‘emergency’ plan to use military for mass deportations

President-elect Donald Trump Monday backed an “emergency” plan to use the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

RFK Jr., AIDS and why the LGBTQ+ community is in an uproar

The former presidential hopeful had appeared alongside Trump at rallies at the tail-end of Trump’s campaign, and Kennedy appealed to some voting blocs with his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. But the Kennedy pick, announced last week, didn’t sit well with many members of the LGBTQ+ community, and there’s a reason why. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Speaker backs women’s restroom ban on McBride

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson declared Wednesday that lawmakers and staff will have to use the restroom corresponding with their biological sex, a statement directed at Sarah McBride, the first transgender person to be elected to Congress, months before McBride is set to arrive on Capitol Hill. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Trump pivots on Gaetz–Attorney general pick withdraws his name; another surfaces

 President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department, turning to a longtime ally after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations. (Las Vegas Review Journal)