The G3Wire

May 2, 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation this week that would require price transparency for all short-term lodging, which Nevada officials hope could help boost the state’s tourism industry. Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford introduced a sweeping measure that could transform the way websites operate in Nevada — requiring online platforms to implement age verification systems and require minors to have approval from legal guardians before using social media. And as high summer temperatures start to creep across the state, about $1.4 million in federal funding meant to help low-income Nevadans pay utility bills is in limbo after the Trump administration fired every employee responsible for administering the funds. These Nevada news updates and so much more below!

Legislative Updates

Days until: 

• Second committee passage deadline: 16
• Second house passage deadline: 23
• Sine die: 33

‘Very concerned’: Nevada lawmakers fear upcoming revenue forecast will force budget cuts

There’s an unprecedented level of uncertainty about the economy’s future and signs of possible decreases in tourism to Las Vegas, ongoing budget shortfalls and lower-than-expected tax revenues. (The Nevada Independent)

What’s in Lombardo’s education bill? Open enrollment, charter school and literacy funding

It also establishes a new fund for bonuses for high-performing educators and includes efforts to improve student literacy a few years before a requirement kicks in that could lead to huge numbers of third graders being held back if they can’t read. (The Nevada Independent)

Here’s what the Nevada Legislature is doing to expand, regulate the use of AI

More than a dozen bills introduced during this year’s legislative session have sought to regulate or expand the use of AI, including to prevent its use in certain mental health settings and use it to give SNAP recipients discounted food. (The Nevada Independent)

Carson City lowers expectations for Nevada revenue projection report

Legislators and stakeholders are preparing for less bullish revenue projections in a report that informs the state’s general fund budgeting process. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada governor reveals education reform bill, vows ‘district-level accountability’

Gov. Joe Lombardo outlined a sweeping education bill Friday that aims to increase accountability of school districts. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

March decline in Las Vegas visitation blamed on international travel drop-off

Warning signs crop up as Strip visitation has fallen more than 7 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Tourism official points to “evolving federal policies.” (The Nevada Independent)

Are Lombardo’s bills being introduced unusually late?

In this edition of Behind the Bar, we explore whether Lombardo’s bills are being introduced unusually late and Senate leader questions Medicaid cuts. (The Nevada Independent) 

Legislative proposals would nudge, aid municipalities toward infill development

Tens of thousands of square feet of vacant lots and commercial properties sit empty in the Las Vegas and Reno metro areas. Proposed legislation attempts to help tackle the state’s housing crisis by establishing a process to rezone them as residential.  (Nevada Current)

Breastfeeding is tough for working moms. A Nevada lawmaker wants to make it easier.

AB266, which is currently pending in the Legislature, would add more protections for people breastfeeding in public places. (Reno Gazette Journal) 

Here’s how Lombardo proposes fixing Nevada’s housing affordability crisis

In this week’s Behind the Bar: We explain Lombardo’s housing bill, and how lawmakers propose vastly expanding a narrow state paid family leave requirement. (The Nevada Independent)

Meet the three Republican legislators most likely to cross party lines

In this edition of Behind the Bar, we explore the lack of funding for universal pre-K and raises for state union workers. (The Nevada Independent)

‘Political realities’ killed Nevada bill that would permanently fund wildlife crossings

Wildlife crossings significantly reduce animal fatalities and save millions of dollars by reducing the number of animal-vehicle collisions. AB486, a bill looking to double the existing $1 fee the state charges on new tires and send the funding toward the projects, has been gutted. (The Nevada Independent)

Meet the three Republican legislators most likely to cross party lines

In this edition of Behind the Bar, we explore the lack of funding for universal pre-K and raises for state union workers. (The Nevada Independent)

Fearing slowdown, Economic Forum predicts $191M less for forthcoming Nevada budget

Education fund faces an additional shortfall of $160 million. The Trump administration’s economic policies were a key factor in the projections, economists said. (The Nevada Independent)

Why Nevada’s attorney general wants to put strict guardrails on youth social media activity

Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford introduced a sweeping measure that could transform the way websites operate in Nevada — requiring online platforms to implement age verification systems and require minors to have approval from legal guardians before using social media. (The Nevada Independent)

Legislative proposals would nudge, aid municipalities toward infill development

Assembly Bill 241, sponsored by Democratic Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui, is designed to spark development of more multi-family housing, and require counties to speed up the process to rezone land currently designated commercial use into residential or mixed use. (Nevada Current)

Bill targets lodging fees—If passed, unexpected charges would be gone

The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation this week that would require price transparency for all short-term lodging, which Nevada officials hope could help boost the state’s tourism industry. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Governor Lombardo Introduces Nevada Accountability in Education Act

This morning, Governor Joe Lombardo introduced his Nevada Accountability in Education Act alongside state education leaders at Pinecrest Academy of Nevada – Sloan Canyon. (gov.nv.gov)

State and Local Government Updates

Emerging from a collective silence, universities organize to fight Trump

The Trump administration’s swift initial rollout of orders seeking more control over universities left schools thunderstruck. Fearing retribution from a president known to retaliate against his enemies, most leaders in higher education responded in February with silence. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada does not sign document to end DEI in schools over ‘ambiguous’ Trump admin request

The state superintendent said he can’t certify the state’s compliance with anti-DEI policy without knowing exactly what “DEI practices” means, although he said Nevada is in compliance with laws against racial discrimination. (The Nevada Independent)

Police: Ghost guns on rise–Tracing firearms nearly impossible

When asked recently how often he thinks about ghost guns on the streets in Southern Nevada, and the danger they pose, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill didn’t mince words.

“Every day,” the sheriff said. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Fiore’s sentencing hearing vacated; absent on bench despite vow to return

After her “full and unconditional” pardon from President Donald Trump last week, suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore vowed to return to the bench immediately. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada joins lawsuit over sweeping AmeriCorps funding cuts

Nevada has sued the Trump administration for cutting the workforce and funding of an independent agency that runs one of the country’s most widely known volunteer program networks. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Tourist traffic to Las Vegas, Southern Nevada plunged in March

Strip gaming win was off 4.8 percent from a year ago, but downtown Las Vegas was one of three submarkets that enjoyed a double-digit percentage increase in March. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Government watchdog expects Medicaid work requirement analysis by fall

The country’s top nonpartisan government watchdog has confirmed it is examining the costs of running the nation’s only active Medicaid work requirement program, as Republican state and federal lawmakers consider similar requirements. (Nevada Current)

‘The outlook has deteriorated:’ NV revenue forecast nudges down, economists see signs of recession

Nevada’s Economic Forum adjusted the tax revenue forecast down $191 million for the upcoming biennium, representing a further dimming of an already dreary outlook of how the economy will fare under the Trump administration. (Nevada Current)

Infill development holds its own against urban sprawl at housing forum

Local elected officials, planning and transportation representatives along with developers gathered Thursday around a central question: how do we address Southern Nevada’s ongoing housing shortage? (Nevada Current)

Real estate inventory up 44.5%–Las Vegas among leaders in national trend

Residential real estate inventory on the market has increased a massive 44.5 percent in the Las Vegas Valley in March compared to the same month last year, according to a new report from Zillow. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Mayor: Vegas ready to thrive–Badlands ‘settled,’ good times ahead

Despite budgetary constraints, “our city is ready to go to the next level,” said Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley during her first State of the City address on Wednesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Federal Updates

RFK Jr.’s NIH slashes science funding across states that backed Trump–Cuts go well beyond Ivy League targets

The National Institutes of Health’s sweeping cuts of grants that fund scientific research are inflicting pain almost universally across the U.S., including in most states that backed President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. (Las Vegas Sun)

Trump administration guts program for families struggling to pay utility bills

As high summer temperatures start to creep across the state, about $1.4 million in federal funding meant to help low-income Nevadans pay utility bills is in limbo after the Trump administration fired every employee responsible for administering the funds. (Nevada Current)

Tax policy, Medicaid funding cuts could scuttle Republicans’ ‘big, beautiful bill’

WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress have a difficult few months ahead of them as they look to broker agreement within their exceptionally narrow majority on policy issues that have already begun to divide centrists from far-right members of the party.  (Nevada Current)

Trump signs executive order requiring truck drivers to speak English

President Trump has signed an executive order reinforcing an already existing federal law requiring English-language proficiency as a requirement for commercial motor drivers. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Sandoval joins university leaders in criticizing Trump funding freeze

Three Nevada university presidents joined a nationwide coalition of academic leaders in a joint letter opposing President Donald Trump’s broad efforts to reshape academia through the “coercive use of public research funding.”

Nevada AG joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s DEI directive

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s directive to eliminate DEI programs or lose federal education funding. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Is Nevada a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants?

A new executive order will crack down on so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions for undocumented immigrants. Nevada officials say state jurisdictions won’t be targeted. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Tech, tariffs, and Trump cloud NV Energy effort to reduce carbon footprint 

NV Energy is shrinking its carbon footprint and staying ahead of a state mandate to produce half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, the utility announced earlier this month in its annual report on efforts to comply with Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, a mandate not only codified in law but enshrined in the state constitution. (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

Nevada, BLM to share land data; governor aims to fix housing crisis

The governor’s office and BLM agreed to share state and federal government data that could help identify future housing and business development options for Nevada. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

SSI recipients get two checks in May — here’s why and when payments arrive in 2025

This is one of those months when some Social Security recipients may have three checks hit their bank account. (Reno Gazette Journal)

‘I feel like I’m abandoning my students:’ DOGE cuts up to 200 AmeriCorps jobs in Nevada

Close to 200 AmeriCorps members in Nevada abruptly lost their jobs Monday after the Trump administration ordered an immediate stop to federally funded work, affecting eight organizations across the state. Nationally, 41 percent of the agency’s budget was eliminated Friday and close to 33,000 AmeriCorps members were pulled from their service.  (Reno Gazette Journal)

Trump tariffs tied to $173 million drop in Nevada’s budget forecast

Nevada has $173 million less to spend over the next two years because of President Donald Trump’s economic policies, financial analysts told the state’s Economic Forum on Thursday.(Reno Gazette Journal) 

Judge strikes down Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans

A federal judge on Thursday permanently barred the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime law, to deport Venezuelans it has deemed to be criminals from the Southern District of Texas, saying that the White House’s use of the statute was illegal. (Las Vegas Sun)

Election News Updates

As new ‘ModSquad’ leader, can Catherine Cortez Masto make moderates cool?

As Democrats take uneven steps toward rebuilding — with differing opinions across the party about how often to challenge Trump and some voters calling for candidates willing to fight — Cortez Masto wants moderate senators to lead the charge. (The Nevada Independent)

Articles of Interest

Indy Explains: Why hasn’t Nevada joined the 41-state nurse licensure compact?

For three consecutive sessions, efforts to join a licensure compact for nurses have stalled. The holdup may lie in a standoff between unions and the health care industry. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada’s big fiber internet build-out still on track despite Trump admin pause

Nevada’s broadband leader thinks the state is far enough into the process that they won’t be affected by second guessing over whether BEAD wrongly favors fiber. (The Nevada Independent)

Developers launch big project in Las Vegas’ Arts District

Z Life Co. held a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for Midtown, a multi-tower project around the intersection of Coolidge Avenue and First Street in Las Vegas. Plans call for condos, hotel rooms and apartments.  (Las Vegas Review Journal) 

Biden wanted Medicaid to pay for weight-loss drugs. Trump just said it doesn’t have to.

The Trump administration this month scrapped a Biden-era proposal that would have required state Medicaid programs and allowed federal Medicare to pay for some GLP-1s for obesity treatment. (Nevada Current)

Paying $8.5M to settle money laundering complaints, MGM leaders say ‘we can do better’

In the week’s Indy Gaming, why MGM Resorts’ CEO missed last week’s disciplinary hearing. Also, Boyd loves Hawaii and Sands ends its NY flirtation. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Here’s the ticket to an early A’s ballpark experience

The A’s plan to open an experience center this fall at UnCommons in the southwest valley. The interactive space will allow fans to preview seating options, premium services and hospitality offerings for the A’s $1.75 billion Las Vegas ballpark. Additionally, fans can receive a history lesson of the MLB team and see how the A’s will fit into the valley. (Las Vegas Review Journal)