In this week’s Nevada news, Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar apologizes to voters for incorrect information on the SOS website. Communities in Schools of Nevada secures a competitive five-year award from the U.S. Department of Education, part of a $74 million nationwide expansion of the federal Full-Services Community Schools grant program, impacting the transformation of six schools. CCSD reaches a decision on Jara’s resignation with a $250K buyout. The nation’s commercial casinos achieve a record performance, generating $66.52 billion in revenue for the third consecutive year, marking a 10% increase from 2022. Explore these news updates and more below!
State and Local Government Updates
As community solar spreads nationwide, Nevada’s ‘modified’ system lagging behind
Through 2021, 39 states, plus Washington, D.C., had implemented community-based solar programs, including Nevada. State lawmakers passed a “modified” community solar program in 2019 that placed the program under the umbrella of NV Energy, the state’s primary electric utility. (The Nevada Independent)
AG Ford, Speaker Yeager are top Nevada recipients of trips paid for by outside groups
Among the key takeaways: Ford and Yeager reported the highest aggregate value of trips provided to them, followed by Republican Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, whose travels to Greece, Germany, Mexico and some U.S. destinations came with $15,000 worth of covered costs. (The Nevada Independent)
Clark County School Board to consider reduced terms for Jara resignation
The new terms would give Jara the equivalent of six months of pay — nearly $200,000 — and exclude any payouts for unused sick leave and vacation time roughly worth an additional $100,000. (The Nevada Independent)
Nevada launches first phase of $72 million unemployment modernization project
The initial rollout will only apply to employers who must pay payroll taxes on their workers’ wages. The second phase, which affects those filing for unemployment, is set to go live in summer 2025. (The Nevada Independent)
CCSD balks at ACLU’s attempt to recover lawsuit costs, fees
The ACLU of Nevada is seeking $48,628.50 in fees, billed at an average rate of about $338 an hour for about 140 hours of work by two staff attorneys, plus $102 in costs, according to a motion filed last month in Clark County District Court. (Las Vegas Sun)
Vote tonight will determine if CCSD moves on from Jesus Jara
If the deal is approved, Jara’s last day will be Friday. He’ll leave with a $250,000 severance check. (Las Vegas Sun)
Clark County School Board approves Jara’s resignation, $250K buyout
The 5-2 vote cements terms for superintendent’s departure that are lower than his contract and a previous offer specified. (The Nevada Independent)
‘Storm has passed’: Union wants judge to end injunction over teacher strike
The Clark County Education Association wants a judge to reverse an order that put a stop to rolling sickouts among teachers. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
NDOC changes protocol after convict went unaccounted for
After a state prisoner spent more than a year out of custody, the Nevada Department of Corrections is changing its inmate tracking protocol. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Federal Updates
Rosen, Lee among legislators who break party ranks the most, study finds
Two of Nevada’s members of Congress were among those who most often break ranks with their party, but they call it bipartisanship rather than betrayal. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Leading pro-abortion rights group doubling down on Rosen, Nevada for 2024
Reproductive Freedom for All formally endorsed Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) on Tuesday and named Nevada as one of its four battleground target states. (The Nevada Independent)
Nevada officials praise new EPA regulations on soot pollution
Titus was one of 88 U.S. lawmakers who signed a March 2023 letter calling for EPA Administrator Michael Regan and President Joe Biden to lower the acceptable amount of fine particulate matter pollution from an average of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to eight. (Las Vegas Sun)
Nearly $12 million grant can transform 6 schools in Nevada
The nonprofit Communities in Schools of Nevada, which has been in the Clark County School District for 20 years, won the competitive five-year award from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the $74 million nationwide expansion of the federal Full-Services Community Schools grant program. It will apply the funds to six schools — two in Winnemucca, two in Elko and two in CCSD. (Las Vegas Sun)
California federal court next for FBI informant re-arrested in Las Vegas
Court documents filed Friday show that Alexander Smirnov is scheduled to appear in a California federal court for a detention hearing early next week. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Lack of A’s stadium designs is stalling plans for MGM Grand renovations
Plans for remodeling the front entrance of the MGM Grand Las Vegas are awaiting the final designs for a Major League Baseball stadium so connectivity between the resort and ballpark can be created. (The Nevada Independent)
Nevada lawmaker vows to revisit film tax credit expansion after bill fizzled in 2023
The Nevada state senator who proposed a massive, multimillion-dollar expansion of the state’s film tax credit system late last session is telling her legislative colleagues that she plans to bring the concept back in 2025, with tweaks including cutting the proposed credit amount in half. (The Nevada Independent)
Judge blocks 2024 ballot initiatives seeking independent redistricting
A Carson City District Court judge ruled last week that two initiative petitions aiming to change how the state redraws state and federal legislative districts were legally deficient and cannot be placed on the 2024 November ballot. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada identifies voter history errors on website, fixes underway
After numerous Nevada voters saw irregularities in their voter history on Sunday, the secretary of state’s office said it has identified the issues and is fixing them, according to a statement Monday evening. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
The nation’s commercial casinos generated $66.52 billion—the third straight year of record performance—and a 10% increase of 2022. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Indy Gaming: For MGM, F1 windfall helps offset growing labor costs
Almost half of the company’s $2.4 billion came from gambling at high-end resorts during the three-day event. Nationally, the Strip reigns supreme. (The Nevada Independent)
Clark County pushes back discussion on F1 impacts
Kevin Schiller, Clark County manager, told commissioners that the item had been taken off the agenda of Tuesday morning’s meeting, but will return in the coming weeks as a full regional debrief on the November race. (Las Vegas Sun)
Nevada looks to return more than $1B in unclaimed property
The state of Nevada holds more than $1 billion in unclaimed property, according to the State Treasurer’s office. That may include cash, payroll, stocks, mutual funds, bank accounts, gift certificates, deposits, insurance proceeds and other types of cash and cash equivalents. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
‘Massive amounts of data’ could lead to delay in Telles trial
Telles is accused of fatally stabbing German outside of the reporter’s home on Sept. 2, 2022, because Telles was angry over articles German had written about his conduct as an elected official. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
‘Future is brighter than ever’: Strip leads US in gaming revenue again
The nation’s commercial casinos generated $66.52 billion in 2023 — the third straight year of record performance — and a 10 percent increase from 2022. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Tropicana owner: ‘The A’s are still finalizing stadium plans’
Bally’s Corp. president said the gaming company has a “contractual arrangement” with the team to clear the Strip site for the $1.5 billion project. (The Nevada Independent)
Pieces of Nevada’s history are endangered. Historians are raising awareness to help save them.
Preserve Nevada, the first statewide advocacy organization geared toward protecting Nevada’s cultural, historical and archaeological heritage, releases its list of the top 11 most endangered places in Nevada every other year. Here are the sites the organization is most concerned about. (The Nevada Independent)
Why did the new Reno police Public Safety Center more than double in price?
Initial estimates in pre-pandemic 2019 had the total price at $33 million. It jumped to about $54 million in 2021, and its current cost is pegged at $70.6 million. (Reno Gazette Journal)
New program aims to boost tribal access to care, but advocates says more can be done
Proponents of the program say answers needed to “outstanding questions” that would boost the number of participating insurers. (The Nevada Independent)
Nevada Gaming control Board will be onsite at the Tropicana on April 2 when the storied Strip resort closes its doors as it makes way for the construction of a baseball stadium for the relocation of the Oakland As’. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Election News
Days until:
- Candidate Filing Day: 10
- Primary Election Day: 109
- General Election Day: 256
Nevada Assembly Democrats endorse Sharifa Wahab for Assembly District 35
Sharifa is committed to lowering healthcare costs, helping small business owners, and building an economy that works for all! (X)
Indy Explains: How public employees can avoid ethics violations during campaign season
Ethics cases can cover a wide range of campaign activities: from police and fire chiefs using their uniforms to campaign and endorse other candidates, using public employees’ staff time toward a re-election bid or using a county law enforcement notification app for political promotions. (The Nevada Independent)
SOS: Coding issues to blame for errors in online voter history records
The Nevada Secretary of State’s office announced it had fixed coding errors in files used to provide nightly updates on voter registration history that led to misreported records. (The Nevada Independent)
Councilwoman Victoria Seaman announces bid for Las Vegas Mayor in 2024
Las Vegas Councilmember Victoria Seaman announced her candidacy for Las Vegas Mayor. (KTNV)
Nevada Senate fundraising: Rosen donors more active, hail from more states than Brown’s
An Indy analysis shows Rosen’s massive fundraising advantage is fueled by contributors giving in multiple races key to holding Democratic control of the Senate. (The Nevada Independent)
As wife discloses abortion story, Nevada GOP Senate hopeful Sam Brown opposes federal ban
During an NBC interview, Sam Brown said states should be allowed to set their own rules around abortion access, and he will not support a national abortion ban. (The Nevada Independent)
Amy Brown, wife of GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown, opens up about her abortion for the first time publicly Sam Brown is running for Senate in Nevada, and he told NBC News that his wife’s experience has helped show him politicians have to “lead with compassion.” (NBC News)
Nevada 2024 Poll: Trump 46%, Biden 40%
A new Emerson College Polling/KLAS-TV/The Hill poll of Nevada voters finds 46% support former President Donald Trump, while 40% support President Joe Biden in a 2024 presidential election matchup. Fourteen percent are undecided. With third-party candidates added to the ballot, Trump’s lead increases to ten points, leading 44% to 34%, while 6% support Robert Kennedy Jr., and one percent support Cornel West and Jill Stein; 13% are undecided. (Emerson College Polling)
Nevada Secretary of State @CiscoAguilar apologizes for errors on website, says new system will prevent repeat problems Cisco Aguilar apologizes for inaccurate information in response to numerous discrepancies in Nevadans’ voting history in the VOTE.NV.gov (X)
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar apologizes for voters seeing wrong info on website
Many voters who did not participate in the Presidential Preference Primary this month erroneously saw “Mail Ballot Counted” for a few days when looking up their voting information on the state’s website. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Upcoming Fundraisers
Fundraiser In Support Of:
Assemblyman Bert Gurr
Assemblyman Gregory Hafen
Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy
Assemblyman Brian Hibbetts
Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama
Assemblyman Dr. Gregory Koenig
Assemblyman Toby Yurek
Monday, February 26, 2024
11:30-1:30 PM
The Brewers Cabinet
475 S. Arlington Ave.
Reno, Nevada 89501
________________________________
Assemblywomen Selena Torres, Erica Mosca, and Cecelia Gonzalez as they
celebrate filing for re-election on
Wednesday, March 6th at 5:00 PM
10810 W. Charleston Blvd. Suite 520
Las Vegas, Nevada 89315
_______________________________________
Campaign Kickoff for
Shelley Berkley
Saturday, March 9, 2024
1:00pm-3:00pm
John C. Fremont Middle School
1100 East St. Louis Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
| 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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