The G3Wire

March 8, 2024

Governor Lombardo spoke with John Ralston about the state of affairs in Nevada this week.  Lombardo said he still supports former President Donald Trump in spite of his indictments, they also discussed housing, education, elections, abortion, healthcare, film tax, the A’s baseball team coming to Las Vegas, as well as energy and a state climate plan.  Nevada’s top water regulator, expanded on how the state will manage water resources in the aftermath of the recent Nevada Supreme Court decision that affirmed the state’s authority to develop science-based solutions to over pumping, including managing surface water and groundwater as a single connected source when determining water rights. This and so much more in the news links below!

Updates from the Governor’s Office

 GOED Provides Pathway to Southern Nevada Diversification

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Southern Nevada’s economy is less diversified compared to other Mountain West metropolitan areas despite gains in key economic sectors over the past decade. The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) unveiled a study prepared by UNLV’s Brookings Mountain West, Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and Transportation Research Center that addresses key barriers and makes recommendations to strengthen and diversify the Southern Nevada economy. (GOED.com)

State and Local Government Updates

From a split hiring vote onward, Jara struggled to unite district during 6-year tenure

Jara’s term at CCSD included a pandemic, teacher contract battles and budget woes. Some early backers say hiring him was still the right decision at the time. (The Nevada Independent)

Public education needs educational leaders not politicians

We are now entering “superintendent season.” Where political savvy often takes precedence over effective educational leadership in getting and keeping a district superintendent position. The two largest public-school districts in Nevada are seeking superintendents because of recent resignations. (Nevada Current)

As CSN taps ex-Rep. Ruben Kihuen for lobbyist job, some lawmakers question the move

Kihuen will come to CSN after leaving Congress in 2018, following a House ethics investigation over sexual misconduct claims. (The Nevada Independent)

Washoe County School District to request $500K to fight Trustee Jeff Church’s lawsuits

Church, one of seven elected trustees, has filed two lawsuits against the district: one after his request for public records was denied and the second after the district refused to investigate claims of sexual harassment against him. He denies the accusation and says it was politically motivated. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Lombardo says Nevada teachers should not be allowed to strike

The head of the Clark County teachers union, which began gathering voter signatures for the proposed ballot initiative, said he is undeterred by the opposition. (The Nevada Independent)

Federal Updates

Supreme Court restores Trump to ballot, rejecting state attempts to ban him over Capitol attack

The Supreme Court on Monday restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to hold the Republican former president accountable for the Capitol riot. (Las Vegas Sun)

Who wants the U.S. Supreme Court to limit abortion pill access? Here’s the list.

WASHINGTON — Anti-abortion groups, attorneys general from 25 states and more than 140 members of Congress have signed on to dozens of briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court during the past two weeks, encouraging the justices to revert use and prescribing of the medication abortion pill mifepristone to what was in place prior to 2016. (Nevada Current)

Biden administration approves interim Colorado River cuts

The cuts, agreed upon by all states involved, would see the Lower Basin states — California, Arizona and Nevada — reduce water usage by 3 million acre-feet by 2026. The environmental impact statement, over 1,000 pages long, details how changes could further stretch the basin’s water resources. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Colorado 14th Amendment ruling, clearing Trump for ballot

Former President Donald Trump must be placed on Colorado’s 2024 ballot, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday, striking down a first-of-its-kind holding by the Colorado Supreme Court that the Republican front-runner is disqualified from office under a Civil War-era insurrection clause. (Nevada Current)

Articles of Interest

Indy Explains: How Nevadans’ Southwest Gas bills got so expensive

Despite consumer complaints of price gouging, the costs are largely due to record-high natural gas prices last year. (The Nevada Independent)

‘No good options’: Popular internet subsidy used by many Nevadans may disappear

Enacted in 2021, the $30-per-month federal benefit expiring in April has been a keyway to keep bills low as broadband infrastructure is expanded. (The Nevada Independent)

F1 exec Fretwell ‘odd choice’ to chair Vegas Chamber, say some business owners

Fretwell is a former manager of the City of Las Vegas. She served as the chair of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, and worked for Switch, a data company based in Las Vegas. (Nevada Current)

Super Bowl schmooze: $2M CEO courting experiment a success, LVGEA tells lawmakers

Which 16 companies were represented is considered confidential by the economic development authority, but organizers when pitching the idea last year said they’d identified prospects in the clean tech, sports and entertainment, and healthcare industries. (Nevada Current)

Impacts of court groundwater decision still a long way off, top water regulator tells lawmakers

Last week, the state engineer — Nevada’s top water regulator — expanded on how the state will manage water resources in the aftermath of the recent Nevada Supreme Court decision that affirmed the state’s authority to develop science-based solutions to over pumping, including managing surface water and groundwater as a single connected source when determining water rights. (Nevada Current)

Before the LV-to LA rail project, maglev was planned

Among the early backers was Sen. Harry Reid — the same guy our airport is named for — who saw maglev as a good fit, and he supported and encouraged it. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

More money not always the education answer, audit finds

More money doesn’t always mean fewer problems. That common phrase is just one takeaway from an internal audit of the state’s public and charter schools released Wednesday that suggested student achievement isn’t necessarily linked to how much money is appropriated toward education. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Athletics unveil renderings of new Las Vegas ‘spherical armadillo’ stadium

The A’s on Tuesday released long-delayed renderings for a ballpark designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, an audacious design for a cozy nine-acre parcel. While it vaguely resembles the Sydney Opera House, the club has dubbed its hoped-for addition to the Vegas scene “a spherical armadillo.” (Reno Gazette Journal)

A’s focus on ‘fan comfort’ in new Strip ballpark design; no retractable roof

The Oakland Athletics’ vision of their Las Vegas ballpark has come into focus with the release of new stadium renderings that resemble the Sydney Opera House. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Is Las Vegas a city of the future? Summerlin helping office market ‘defy gravity’

The master-planned community’s success in office space shows the future of working in America, shorter commutes, and less central business districts. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Indy Explains: How Nevadans’ Southwest Gas bills got so expensive

Despite consumer complaints of price gouging, the costs are largely due to record-high natural gas prices last year. (The Nevada Independent)

Kamala Harris to visit Las Vegas this weekend

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Las Vegas on Saturday. Details about the purpose of the visit were not immediately available Monday. Saturday’s visit will mark the vice president’s 11th visit to Nevada since taking office. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

‘Fake electors’ jury trial moved to January 2025

A jury trial for Nevada’s “fake elector” case has been moved to Jan. 13, 2025. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Board of Regents Renews Contract for DRI President Acharya

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents approved the renewal of Dr. Kumud Acharya’s four-year contract as President of DRI during the Board’s quarterly meeting. (NSHE.nevada.edu)

NSHE Board of Regents Honors Regent Emeritus Jason Geddes Posthumously

Regent Geddes, who passed away in January 2024, served as a distinguished member of the Board of Regents from 2006 to 2022. His dedication to advancing higher education and his steadfast commitment to serving the students and citizens of Nevada have left an enduring impact on the state’s academic landscape. (NSHE.nevada.edu)

Las Vegas home sale prices up 3.4% in Feb., continuing recovery from 2023

Home sales in Las Vegas are continuing an upward trend after a record-breaking slow year in 2023, according to a release today from Las Vegas Realtors. (Las Vegas Sun)

First lady Jill Biden speaks on reproductive rights in Las Vegas

First lady Jill Biden called the increasing restrictions on women’s healthcare “a rupture in the foundations of our democracy” during a speech in Las Vegas darkened by a power outage Saturday. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada hospitals impacted by cyberattack on national health care firm

Health care carriers and providers in the state are experiencing payment delays due to the cyberattack. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Section 8 housing voucher waitlist is huge, number of landlords willing to accept vouchers isn’t

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is currently processing 10,000 applications for housing vouchers, which provide rental subsidies for low-income residents. That’s after 27,000 applied. (Nevada Current)

Anti-trans comments draw demands for Nevada regent’s resignation

Nevada Faculty Alliance is demanding that Regent Patrick Boylan resign, saying comments he made Friday about the transgender community during a quarterly Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents meeting violated the board’s anti-discrimination resolution. (Las Vegas Sun)

Recognition delivered: Trauma kits, medical training helped Metro officers save UNLV professor’s life at campus shooting

The Engelstad Foundation and Touro University help provide Metro with individual trauma kits, also referred to as IFAKs, as well as training on how to use them. (Las Vegas Sun)

In nod to unions, senator’s guest for speech is IBEW electrician from Nevada

Las Vegas electrician Melenie Zavala has always enjoyed being part of a larger movement. That’s what brought her to the building trades in the first place. (Las Vegas Sun)

Black market, hemp products biggest challenges to cannabis industry

The illegal market is a threat to Nevada’s cannabis industry, said Nevada Cannabis Association Executive Director Layke Martin during a Wednesday interview with the Review-Journal. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Man accused of stalking Gov. Lombardo arrested

A man accused of harassing Gov. Joe Lombardo and his family online was arrested after he showed up at a Las Vegas house he thought was the governor’s and broke a window, the Metropolitan Police Department alleged in an arrest report. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Ex-congressional candidate suspected in Strip killing turns himself in

A former congressional candidate and pro wrestler wanted in connection with a killing on the Strip last year was seen turning himself in at the Clark County Detention Center on Wednesday evening. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada offers fewer consumer debt protections than almost every other state, report says

Nevada is one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to offering consumer debt protections, according to a new analysis by the National Center for Access to Justice at Fordham Law School. (Reno Gazette Journal)

The Elon Musk effect: Why more businesses want to incorporate in Nevada

Nevada is getting more attention from business entities looking to establish or reincorporate in the state, including some controlled by billionaires. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Indy Gaming: A’s juggling act is fit for a Strip showroom

The Oakland A’s released renderings on Tuesday but that was just one ball the team has been juggling in its planned move to Las Vegas. (The Nevada Independent)

A’s stadium plan includes a non-retractable roof, baseball’s largest jumbotron

Four renderings released Tuesday of the $1.5 billion project show a large glass wall with views of the Las Vegas Strip. (The Nevada Independent)

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix ticket sale date announced

Tickets to the 2024 Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix will range between $150 and $35,000, race officials announced Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Election News

Days Until:

• Candidate Filing Ends: 8
• Primary Election Day: 96
• General Election Day: 242

Important Dates:

• Candidate Filing Closes          March 15
• Primary Election                     June 11
• General Election                     November 5

2024 Nevada candidate filing live blog: Filing opens

Though candidates have usually declared their intentions to run for office, surprise announcements and last-minute filings can lead to unexpected outcomes. (The Nevada Independent)

Trump responds after SCOTUS unanimously rules against removal from the 2024 ballot in Colorado

Supreme Court decision to affect more than 30 states that have considered challenges to remove Trump from 2024 ballot. (Fox news)

Security is top of mind for election officials in Clark County

Clark County is having regular election security meetings with state and federal officials leading up to the November general election to strengthen safety measures for poll workers and voters, said Lorena Portillo, the Clark County registrar of voters. (Las Vegas Sun)

Election 2024: The candidates who have filed to be on Washoe County’s primary ballot

Candidates submitted applications Monday to be on the June primary ballot for Washoe County voters. They have until March 15 to file – and March 26 to withdraw if they change their minds. Primary election day is June 11, with early voting May 25 to June 7. Here’s who filed as of 9:15 a.m. March 5, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Halo music composer Marty O’Donnell is running for Congress in Nevada

Marty O’Donnell, the creator of the music for Bungie games like Halo and Destiny, announced he is running for a seat in Congress in Nevada. (venturebeat.com)

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix ticket sale date announced

Tickets to the 2024 Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix will range between $150 and $35,000, race officials announced Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Las Vegas Realtors responds to commission conspiracy claims

Two federal class-action lawsuits have accused the Las Vegas trade group of conspiring to artificially inflate real estate commissions. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada senator makes re-election bid official at union hall

Sen. Jacky Rosen said she has officially filed for re-election in a presidential battleground state that is a top GOP target in a challenging 2024 Senate map. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Two additional ballot counting devices coming to Southern Nevada

Two additional ballot tabulation machines will be coming to Clark County after commissioners approved their purchase at a meeting Tuesday morning. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Plan to move Reno mail processing could disrupt elections, official says

Nevada’s secretary of state and top federal officials expressed concerns over what impact a plan to move Reno’s package and mail processing to Sacramento. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nikki Haley to drop out of presidential race after Donald Trump dominates Super Tuesday

Nikki Haley looks set to drop out of the Republican presidential race despite beating Donald Trump in Vermont’s GOP primary on Super Tuesday, a surprise on what was otherwise a dominant night for the front-runner in which he is projected to have won a further 14 primaries, including such large states as California and Texas. (Yahoo! News)

The Lombardo Machine? Election season officially begins for state legislators, hopefuls

Lombardo told Nevada Newsmakers in November he is doing what he can to stop Democrats from gaining supermajorities in both chambers. Two-thirds supermajorities would allow Democrats to override any gubernatorial veto. (Nevada Current)

Gov. Lombardo endorses Sam Brown in Nevada’s Senate race

Gov. Joe Lombardo endorsed Sam Brown in the U.S. Senate race, where a field of Republican candidates hope to win the primary in June to face off against Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen in the fall. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada GOP governor stands by Trump amid legal battles, distances himself from GOP ‘fake electors’

Nevada’s Republican governor showed his strongest support Wednesday for Donald Trump in his legal battles since the former president was first indicted for falsifying business records nearly a year ago. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Upcoming Fundraisers

Please join our newly endorsed candidate for 

Assembly District 7—

Tanya Flanagan

Thursday, March 14th at 5 pm.

Classic Jewel

353 E Bonneville Ave #111

Las Vegas, NV 89101

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Campaign Kickoff for

Alex Velto

Thursday, March 14^th at 6-8pm

Nautilus  Rum Sugar Lime

1039 ½ S. Virginia St.

Reno, NV 89502

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Nevada Senate Democrats endorse

Dallas Harris

Wednesday, March 27^th at 3:30-5:00pm

Brio Italian Grille

6653 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Las Vegas, NV 89119

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