The G3Wire

December 13, 2024

The Western Governors’ Association hosted the first day of its winter meeting on Monday in Las Vegas, with experts and governors taking a stab at the West’s complex public lands issues. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo joined with 25 other Republican governors Wednesday to pledge their support for President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to “make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security.”  And representatives of California, Nevada and other states who attended an annual Colorado River conference in Las Vegas last week said they remained deadlocked in their talks on long-term plans for reducing water use to prevent the river’s reservoirs from reaching critically low levels. These Nevada news links and so much more below!

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Governor awaits specifics on Trump deportation plan

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said the “devil’s in the details” when it comes to the state’s role in Trump’s plans to enact a mass deportation program, and whether Nevada would use its National Guard to carry out the program. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Lombardo pledges support–Commits to Trump’s plan for undocumented immigrant deportation

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo joined with 25 other Republican governors Wednesday to pledge their support for President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to “make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

State and Local Government Updates

UNR, the only bidder left, expected to be site of new VA hospital

The University of Nevada, Reno is expected to be named the site of a new Veterans Affairs hospital, making the north end of campus a medical hub. (Reno Gazette Journal)

City manager paid nearly $1M–Severance said to be ‘way out of line’ for official who quit

North Las Vegas has paid its former city manager, who quit in May, nearly $1 million this year, including a hefty severance package and consulting fees. Ryann Juden, the city’s chief executive since 2018, was paid almost $675,000 in severance and $85,500 in consulting fees. Separately, he also cashed out roughly $97,000 in unused vacation and sick leave.  (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Colorado River association still at odds–Basin states fail to reach deal after Vegas conference

The theme of the week may have centered on piecing together ways to manage the Colorado River after 2026, but Nevada and its six neighboring states in the basin walked away with a fractured puzzle they aren’t close to solving. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Colorado River talks tackle users’ competing water demands

There, the 44 water leaders in attendance saw what many locals have witnessed through the years: declining water levels at Lake Mead. It was a stark reminder of why they were in Southern Nevada: to discuss a new deal between the seven Colorado River Basin states, tribes and Mexico that depend on the Colorado for their water. Legal agreements appropriating water from the drought-stricken river expire in 2026. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Transparency questioned in contract deal–Ire over former city manager

A North Las Vegas city councilman said Monday he was unaware that the former city manager was the recipient of a three-year, $630,000 consulting contract until after he voted on the item. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

‘Zero progress’: Impasse in talks on Colorado River pact

Representatives of California, Nevada and other states who attended an annual Colorado River conference in Las Vegas last week said they remained deadlocked in their talks on long-term plans for reducing water use to prevent the river’s reservoirs from reaching critically low levels. (Las Vegas Sun)

Jackie Bryant named Reno city manager after initially refusing role

The Reno City Council on Wednesday unanimously voted to appoint interim city manager Jackie Bryant to fill the role permanently after she previously expressed, she didn’t want the job.  Bryant, who formerly worked as an attorney and chief of staff to former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, was assistant city manager since 2021. She was named interim in July after the resignation of Doug Thornley. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Joey Gilbert resigning as Douglas County schools’ legal counsel

Reno attorney Joey Gilbert’s resignation ends more than a year of work in the position marked by debate over his experience and questions about whether he was overcharging. (The Nevada Independent)

Governors, at Las Vegas conference, push for affordable housing solutions

As governors from six Western states convened in Las Vegas this week to develop strategies for addressing shared issues affecting the region, one concern remained steadfast throughout their meetings: housing. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada AG report details law enforcement agencies’ fatal ‘use of force’ incidents in 2024

Fourteen people were killed in “use of force” incidents by Nevada law enforcement agencies through October of this year, according to an attorney general’s office report released this week. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Nevada fake electors case: Attorney General Aaron Ford files new complaint in Carson court

The attorney general’s office challenged Judge Mary Kay Holthus’ decision, and that appeal to keep the case in Clark County District Court is still under review by the Nevada Supreme Court. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Reno council wants to expand downtown ban on homeless camping to whole city. Here’s why

The Reno City Council on Wednesday moved to expand the ban on camping, sitting and lying on public property to all of Reno and not just downtown.  Reno’s municipal code, under the section “Offenses Against Public Peace,” (Reno Gazette Journal)

CCSB approves amended budget with no deficit

After a tumultuous few months over a potential budget deficit, the Clark County School Board approved its amended final budget on Thursday evening. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Federal Updates

Parents, states press Congress to act on kids internet safety bill

Attorneys general in more than half of U.S. states support the same legislation, saying “many social media platforms target minors, resulting in a national youth mental health catastrophe.” (Las Vegas Sun)

Blue states prepare for battle over environmental rollbacks

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to slash federal climate, clean air and clean water regulations during his second term — an agenda that could target rules governing everything from auto emissions to power plant pollution to drinking water standards. (Las Vegas Sun)

D.C. Download: Mark Amodei sees infrastructural challenges for mass deportation

With Republicans taking control of both houses of Congress and the White House, Amodei will be the most influential Nevadan in the Capitol. And his mission goes beyond his Nevada priorities — his position as chair of the Homeland Security subcommittee in the Appropriations Committee will be more important, and scrutinized, than ever, as he’s tasked with funding the agencies that President-elect Donald Trump plans to deploy toward his mass deportation campaign. (The Nevada Independent)

Public land use triggers debate–Governors lament inefficient review process Environmental groups sue

Many believe that public lands, thought to be the shining achievement of conservation in the West, are the answer to the region’s housing and climate crises. But federal red tape is a barrier to that mission. The Western Governors’ Association hosted the first day of its winter meeting on Monday in Las Vegas, with experts and governors taking a stab at the West’s complex public lands issues. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada mine cleanup bill close to becoming law

The ghosts of the Silver State’s mining roots aren’t just spooky — they’re a serious environmental hazard.  About half a million abandoned mines lie untouched across America, polluting waterways and posing a threat to human safety. Nevada has the most of any state with about 200,000, according to the state Division of Minerals. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Titus, groups spotlight heat toll–Changes in D.C. raising concerns

At a virtual news conference on Wednesday, a handful of Nevada’s environmental advocacy groups hosted Congresswoman Dina Titus, D-Nev., to recap the toll extreme heat has taken on vulnerable communities this year. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Articles of Interest

Highest-paying jobs in Nevada and best places to work, according to U.S. News

Though Reno did not make the list for the best jobs in Nevada, seven Southern Nevada workplaces did. Here’s a look at the top workplaces in Nevada according to U.S. News and World Report. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Meeting Nevadans’ mental health needs challenged by limited resources, isolated efforts

Nevada has nowhere to go but up on youth mental health services. A lack of sustainable funding has prevented a more unified network of care. (The Nevada Independent)

Man who jumped a desk to attack a Clark Co. judge in the courtroom is sentenced

A man who was captured on video attacking a judge in a Las Vegas courtroom after vaulting over her bench and desk has been sentenced to decades in prison. (Las Vegas Sun)

One Nevada city named among top 100 in the world. Here’s where and why

Here’s which Nevada city made the list (hint: it’s the only city with over 1 million people in the Silver State) and why. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Earthquake rattles northwestern Nevada on Monday afternoon, estimated at 5.8

An earthquake jolted western Nevada on Monday afternoon, with the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at UNR reporting a magnitude estimate of 5.8. The quake’s magnitude earlier had been estimated at 5.7 and 5.5. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Nevada counties where your take-home pay goes the furthest, according to new ranking

Nevada counties where your take-home pay goes the furthest, according to new ranking. Have you ever wondered where in Nevada you get the most bang for your buck? SmartAsset, a consumer-focused financial website, looked for the most economical or “paycheck friendly” places to live across the United States and in Nevada. The Silver State is home to two counties that ranked in the top 100 nationwide. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Wildfires, climate change fueling insurance crisis for homeowners in the US West

The average Nevada homeowner paid $964 a year on home insurance in 2020. Today, that same homeowner would pay $1,290 for similar coverage, a 34% increase, according to an analysis from Nerdwallet. (Las Vegas Sun)

MGM: All bets on GameSense–Over 1,000 workers certified in responsible gaming in 2024

Garrett Farnes’ enthusiasm is infectious, bleeding into his lively presentations about an otherwise dry topic: responsible gaming. As director of MGM Resorts International’s responsible gaming efforts, Farnes has the Herculean task of making his area of expertise fun and relatable for the company’s front-line employees. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Google releases new AI products–Package comes amid regulatory threats

Google is framing its release of Gemini 2.0 as a springboard for AI agents built to interpret images shown through a smartphone, perform a variety of tedious chores, remember the conversations consumers have with people, help video game players plot strategy and even tackle the task of doing online searches. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

SECTA students showcase workforce skills during visit from Colorado governor

State Superintendent of Schools Jhone Ebert accompanied Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who is pursuing his “Let’s Get Ready” education policy-focused platform as chair of the National Governors Association, on a tour of SECTA on Wednesday to learn how Nevada is addressing workforce readiness in its young people like Swift. (Las Vegas Sun)

Proposed merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges

There are more than 90 Kroger and Albertsons stores or affiliates in Nevada, mostly in the Las Vegas area. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Gaming: Months before merger closes, Apollo shaping future of new slot business

The hedge fund tabbed Hector Fernandez, one of the top executives from rival Aristocrat, to lead the company when the deal closes next year. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Environment: Inside Nevada’s most historic endangered places

National monuments and historic theaters are among locations at risk in the Silver State. (The Nevada Independent)

Most dangerous national parks to visit: 2 Nevada sites rank in top 10

Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Death Valley National Park were the only Nevada locations on John Foy & Associates‘ study of the 10 most dangerous national parks in the United States. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Drought ‘extreme’ after dry streak–151 straight days of no measurable rain

Las Vegas’ monsoon season was a letdown in 2024, leading federal meteorologists to upgrade Southern Nevada’s drought conditions to “extreme” on Thursday. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Election News

Nevada Democrats push for state to host first-in-nation presidential primary in 2028

Daniele Monroe-Moreno, the chairwoman of the Nevada State Democratic Party, is leading the party’s push for Nevada to become the first state to have a presidential primary in 2028.  (Las Vegas Sun)

A huge NV Energy project has doubled in cost. Ratepayers are being asked to help fund it

The bill addressed tax abatements for renewable energy facilities, repealed provisions governing the state’s electric vehicle demonstration program and required NV Energy to submit a plan to accelerate transportation electrification in the state. (The Nevada Independent)

Election results not deterring push to remove regents from the Nevada Constitution

Although the ballot question would have only removed the constitutional guarantee of the board’s existence and not repealed any other existing laws, it marked the latest tension point between Nevada lawmakers and the Board of Regents. (The Nevada Independent)

Legislative Updates

Important Dates

First Day of Legislative Session         February 3^rd                Days Until: 52

• Check out the 658 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List. 

• Bills from the 83^rd Legislative Session – to date: 166 bills

Protecting children online among attorney general’s goals for legislative session

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said his mission to help instill justice at every opportunity is reflected in his office’s actions as state lawmakers gear up for the 2025 legislative session. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada bill proposal targets sexual grooming in K-12 schools. Here’s what it would ban

It would outlaw actions that are already prohibited by some Nevada school districts such as Washoe County’s policy on “Soliciting a Romantic Relationship with a Student.” But this new resolution — Senate Bill 59 — expands and changes anti-grooming efforts in a few ways. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Presidential Transition Updates

Trump’s Cabinet nominations say a lot about where his policies might go

Some of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominations have raised hopes that his trade and other economic actions will not be wildly disruptive or bring back inflation. But that could turn out to be wishful thinking. (Las Vegas Sun)

Pam Bondi’s journey from traditional Republican to warrior for Trump

The day before Florida’s 2016 presidential primary, the state attorney general, Pam Bondi, surprised her fellow Republicans and endorsed Donald Trump at a rally in Tampa, her hometown. (Las Vegas Sun)

Lara Trump exits as RNC co-chair–Mulls future, possibly replacing Sen. Rubio

Lara Trump will step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee as she considers a number of potential options with her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump, set to return to the White House. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Are you middle class in Nevada? Here’s what the middle, top 10%, and top 1% make

Statewide, using the formula proposed by the Pew Research Center, you’re considered middle class if you make between $27,422 and $81,856 as an individual. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Wray to resign, clearing way for Patel’s ascension

WASHINGTON — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate Kash Patel for the job.