Governor Lombardo announced a new Director for the Nevada Department of Veterans Services just as the Federal Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs outlined a goal for the Southern Nevada Health Care System to house at least 900 veterans experiencing homelessness in 2024. The Chairman of the Committee on House Administration sent a letter to Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar asking for further explanations on the voter history website glitches that made the news last month. Oral arguments at the Nevada Supreme Court have been set for April 9th in the A’s / teachers union legal battle over the union’s defective referendum petition of the bill that provided public funding for their Las Vegas Strip stadium and there was more news around the release the A’s stadium design renderings. Candidate filing wraps up today, so we’ll know the full slate of 2024 candidates by close of business. New candidate announcements, fundraisers and so many more articles in this week’s G3Wire!
Updates from the Governor’s Office
Governor Joe Lombardo announced Col Mary L. Devine as the new Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. (gov.nv.gov)
State and Local Government Updates
Lombardo Opposes USPS Proposal To Move Reno Mail Operations to Sacramento
Governor Joe Lombard has penned a letter (see below) to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy opposing the UPS proposal to transfer Reno mail operations to Sacramento in California, a move that Lombardo notes will detrimentally impact Northern Nevadans and commerce. (The Nevada Globe)
IGT’s big return to Nevada will boost state’s gaming manufacturing
Gaming industry analysts applaud return of IGT to Nevada with $6.2 billion spinoff and merger with Everi Holdings Inc. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
House committee chairman wants answers on Nevada voter site glitches
The chairman of the Committee on House Administration sent a letter to Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar asking for further explanations on the website glitches. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
State turns prized spot for incorporation
Elon Musk’s businesses have been planting roots in Nevada for years now. But after the billionaire faced a legal hurdle in Delaware — the country’s capital for the legal homes of corporations and other business entities — he made his preferences clear. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Since the start of the year, there have been three separate incidents in which someone was attacked at the Regional Justice Center. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Illicit market harms pot trade
One of the biggest challenges facing the burgeoning cannabis industry—in Nevada and nationwide —is the illegal market, experts say. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
After Las Vegas judge attack, officials look to enhance courthouse security
In an effort to increase security at the courthouse, the District Court and Clark County are looking to hire more marshals, who are responsible for the protection of judges and safety in courtrooms. Wiese said the goal is to have two marshals for every “high-risk” courtroom, meaning courtrooms for criminal cases or Family Court matters. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
If enrollment drops, what happens to funding for Nevada’s colleges and universities?
Last September, the Board of Regents in charge of the state’s public higher education system received a presentation that, if correct, suggested enrollment trends that could upend Nevada’s higher education budgets within the next decade and force steep cuts. (The Nevada Independent)
Reno Councilmember Jenny Brekhus’ lawsuit against city: Judge hears oral arguments
A judge heard oral arguments Monday into whether Reno City Council member Jenny Brekhus can have a special administrative hearing into her claims of retaliation. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Nevada to pay $3.4 million to former prisoner who received insufficient medical care
Lewis Stewart’s reports of painful urinating went largely unaddressed. More than 14 pounds of fluid were eventually drained from his bladder. (The Nevada Independent)
Washoe County schools OK $500K to lawyer up against Trustee Jeff Church
The Washoe County School Board voted 6-0 Tuesday to spend up to $500,000 to hire outside legal counsel to defend the district against litigation by Trustee Jeff Church. (The Nevada Independent)
Live: School board votes to not investigate harassment accusation against Church
Washoe County School Board voted unanimously to confirm it would not fund or do an investigation into how and why Trustee Jeff Church was accused of sexually harassing two employees by board President Beth Smith.(Reno Gazette Journal)
Unemployment rate stays put statewide in January; 4.7 percent in Carson City and 4.4 percent in Reno
In Nevada’s counties, the lowest unemployment rate was in White Pine County at 3.5 percent, and Nye County had the highest rate at 6.8 percent. For a look at the unemployment rate in your county, see the Area Profiles Page. (Carson.now)
Despite Reports, DCSD Does Not Have a New Superintendent
Following recent developments about the Superintendent’s role within the Douglas County School District (DCSD), it’s important to clarify the situation for our community. Ms. Jeannie Dwyer continues in her role as Interim Superintendent due to procedural discrepancies during a recent vote, notably the absence of proper agenda placement and public discussion, as mandated by Nevada statutes and DCSD bylaws. (The Nevada Globe)
Tahoe restoration efforts set to lose $301 million; state officials urge Congress to act
The original Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, passed in 2016 as part of the larger Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, includes $415 million in federal funding. (Reno Gazette Journal)
RSCVA board picks interim chief Mike Larragueta as new CEO
Interim chief Mike Larragueta was unanimously voted as the new CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority during a special meeting by the organization’s board of directors. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Nevada has 12K jobless claims in appeals. How long will clearing the backlog take?
The state has one of the longest unemployment insurance appeal backlogs in the nation, with an average pending case length of about 432 days as of January, according to state data shared with the U.S. Department of Labor. It’s the fourth highest in the nation, behind Alabama, Georgia and Virginia, and highest in the western U.S. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
State pulls $23 million in pandemic aid from health projects as allocation deadline nears
The state scrapped funding for crisis services in rural areas and a pandemic-era mental health program, and shifted money to college police and a housing study. (The Nevada Independent)
Union wrapping up public records suit over Jara’s social media
The Clark County Education Association (CCEA) is winding down its legal quest for records of former Clark County Superintendent Jesus Jara’s social media account, but may pursue a defamation case against him and a district spokesman. (The Nevada Independent)
Federal Updates
Number of unhoused veterans in Las Vegas increased over 60% in 2023
The Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs outlined a goal for the Southern Nevada Health Care System to house at least 900 veterans experiencing homelessness in 2024. (Las Vegas Sun)
Federal designation allows Reno Sparks Tribal Health Center more access to specialists
The Reno Sparks Tribal Health Center announced its designation Thursday as a Tribal Federally Qualified Health Center, which allows it to pay higher reimbursement rates to specialists providing care. The designation is in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. (Nevada Current)
Indy Explains: Which Nevadans can now file their taxes for free?
Nearly half a million Nevadans are eligible for a new service allowing them to directly file their taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for free. (The Nevada Independent)
Rep. Horsford votes against a potential TikTok ban
Democrat Steven Horsford was the sole Nevada representative to vote against bill that would force TikTok to divest from a China-based parent company or face a national ban. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
House passes bill that could lead to TikTok ban
The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada AG Battles Meta Over Encrypted Messaging: Public Safety vs. User Privacy
The ongoing battle between privacy and public safety takes center stage in Nevada’s legal fight against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. (The Nevada Globe)
Rosen brings bill to aid new home buyers
Sen. Jacky Rosen helped introduce a bill that aims to lower costs for first-time homebuyers on Wednesday. The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would establish a tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price — up to $15,000 — for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, according to a statement from her office. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Articles of Interest
‘Fast-tracked’ job opportunities bring thousands to Spring Job Fair
Thousands of job seekers and Southern Nevada employers met Friday at a hiring event where a quarter of the state’s open positions were on display. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
BLM welcomes input on NV Energy project along ‘Loneliest Road in America’
The agency needs more time to evaluate impacts to the sage-grouse, which relies on the distinct sagebrush habitat. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Big residential development may be coming to south Las Vegas
A New York-based real estate investment firm recently purchased 54 acres of undeveloped residential-zoned land for $33.5 million. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
As HIV cases tick up, health officials cite need for awareness, more testing
The data showed Clark County recorded 488 diagnoses of HIV — about 91% of the state’s total — in 2022, the most recent year that data is available. It’s an increase from the 441 cases in 2021, 325 cases in 2020 and 448 in 2019. (Las Vegas Sun)
High-speed train from Vegas to SoCal will be model for nation — if it succeeds
Brightline executives are hoping to open the western route, with speeds up to 200 mph, by 2028, in time for the Los Angeles Olympics. They plan to break ground in the spring if they complete financing. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Pandemic rule led to auto insurance refund. Now that rule is expiring
The pandemic-era regulation resulted in millions in refunds for drivers in Nevada, which has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Fight at Las Vegas Realtors meeting leads to police response
A physical altercation broke out between two local real estate agents at a Las Vegas Realtors’ Brokers Forum on Friday, ending with police being called to the scene, according to multiple sources who witnessed the confrontation. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada offers fewer consumer debt protections than almost every other state, report says
Nevada ranked 47th in the nation on NCAJ’s Consumer Debt Litigation Index, which analyzes states against 24 specific policies designed to protect consumers. Only Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana and Rhode Island offered fewer protections than Nevada. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Study: Solar development threatens iconic Southwest species
The study looked at the intersection of clean energy development and habitat of endangered and threatened species in the Southwest, finding that Joshua trees are expected to lose 33 percent of their habitat and the foxes will lose 85 percent by 2070. (The Nevada Independent)
Northern Nevada ranchers caught between a rock and a dry place
The water authorities received $15 million in state funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to buy back groundwater rights from private landowners. The landowners would retain their land, but the water rights would be retired, meaning groundwater there could never again be pumped or allocated to private landowners. (Las Vegas Sun)
Nevada in position to make most of boom in manufacturing
The Las Vegas, Henderson and Paradise region was the fastest-growing manufacturing center among large cities since 2018, according to a recent report by Zetwerk, a global manufacturing firm. The study, which looked at manufacturing across the U.S., also noted that Nevada has seen the greatest increase in manufacturing employment since 2018. (Las Vegas Sun)
How will International Game Technology’s $6.2B merger impact its Reno operations? What we know
International Game Technology is doubling down on Nevada once more as part of a planned multibillion-dollar merger with a Las Vegas-based gaming company. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Ex-FBI informant appeals federal custody ruling
Alexander Smirnov, 43, is accused of falsely reporting to the FBI that executives with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Biden and his son Hunter Biden $5 million each in the alleged bribery scheme — a claim that has become central to a Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
LVCVA to spend $1M to add more sports events to Las Vegas
The three sporting events are expected to attract a total of 39,500 people to the city with a total economic impact of $139.2 million. The most notable is the National Hockey League’s plan to hold its first draft in Las Vegas in June. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Oral arguments set in A’s, teachers union legal tussle
The arguments between Schools Over Stadiums, created by the Nevada State Education Association, and A’s lobbyists Danny Thompson and Thomas Morley are set for April 9, according to court records filed last week.(Las Vegas Review Journal)
A’s show off model of future Strip ballpark, with green glow — PHOTOS
The Oakland Athletics gave a small glimpse of what their planned Las Vegas ballpark on the Strip will look like Friday at Big League Weekend. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Signs of the times: A’s, Neon Museum plot partnership
The A’s are in talks to include some of the Neon Museum’s vintage Las Vegas resort signs in-and-around their Strip stadium, scheduled to be built on 9 acres of the 35-acre Tropicana site. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Constructing a new house? Following these energy codes could save you money
Nevada Assemblyman Howard Watts and two green energy experts are calling on a federal agency to update energy codes for the construction of new apartments and homes across the country. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
‘Closer’ to normal: What Rockies snowpack could mean for Lake Mead
For Nevadans at the forefront of the West’s water crisis, snowpack in the Rocky Mountains that eventually trickles down to Lake Mead is always front of mind. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Indy Gaming: A’s turn on the charm during a Las Vegas weekend
The Oakland Athletics won’t call Las Vegas home until possibly 2028. Team officials said last week the club will make an effort to part of the community over the next four years. (The Nevada Independent)
More than 85 percent of the homes sold in the Las Vegas Valley in the fourth quarter of 2023 were unaffordable, according to a new study. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Murder trial for Telles postponed
A Las Vegas judge on Tuesday postponed the murder trial for former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Message from President Sandoval
I am immensely proud of our students, faculty and staff who are members of the trans and gender-diverse community. We stand with you and want you all to know that your contributions to our University are immense and meaningful. (Nevada Today)
Carson City median home prices up 9.5 percent in February to $547,475; Lyon County, $376K
Sierra Nevada Realtors released Tuesday its February 2024 report on existing home sales in Carson City, Washoe, Storey, Lyon, Douglas, and Churchill counties. This report includes the median sales price and number of home sales in the region. SNR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service. (Carson.now)
Reno Aces owner buys Park Center Tower across from downtown ballpark
Park Center Tower LLC, a company tied to real estate magnate Herb Simon, acquired Park Center Tower across the street from the ballpark on Tuesday from Basin Street Properties. The sale price was not disclosed but amounts to about $28.4 million based on its $116,505 transfer tax that was paid to Washoe County. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Union secures longevity pay for eligible state employees after suing
Eligible workers will earn at least $100 in bonuses twice a year. The agreement also ensures all employees will receive an 11 percent annual raise in July. (The Nevada Independent)
County commission to get F1 report
The Clark County Commission next week will receive a presentation on a report for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The report, created by the county manager’s office from two debriefing meetings, will provide insight into what the county learned from facilitating and hosting the Formula One race in November and what improvements can be made to make the process a smoother one. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Bally’s Corp. reviewing corporate takeover bid
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Tuesday, Bally’s announced that it has formed a special committee of independent and disinterested directors authorized to evaluate a preliminary, non -binding proposal, dated March 11, by Standard General to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Bally’s that it does not already own for $15 per share, as well as any potential strategic alternatives to the proposal. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
The Yomba Shoshone Tribe’s access to water in central Nevada received a huge boost, with a $772,000 commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency announced Tuesday. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Election News
Days Until:
- Candidate Filing Ends: 0
- Primary Election Day: 89
- General Election Day: 235
Important Dates:
- Candidate Filing Closes March 15
- Primary Election June 11
- General Election November 5
2024 Nevada candidate filing live blog
2024 Nevada candidate filing live blog: More than 550 candidates on the ballot as of Friday. (The Nevada Independent)
Updated: The candidates who have filed for 2024 Washoe County primary election ballot
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed run for office in races that Washoe County residents can vote on. This story will be updated with additional filings as they come in (Reno Gazette Journal)
Vice President Harris rallies supporters in North Las Vegas
Vice President Kamala Harris rallied members of North Las Vegas’ Latino community and Democratic supporters and encouraged them to re-elect herself and President Joe Biden in November. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Dueling rallies: Biden, Trump warn of dire election consequences
ATLANTA — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump warned of dire consequences for the country if the other wins another term in the White House as the pair held dueling rallies in Georgia Saturday fresh off strong wins in Super Tuesday contests that positioned them for an all-but-certain rematch this November. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada’s GOP Senate hopefuls wait for an endorsement that may not come before the June primary
Sam Brown, the retired U.S. Army captain, is polling as the front-runner to win the Nevada Republican primary in June for U.S. Senate. (Las Vegas Sun)
State of the Union speech illustrates stark contrast between major parties
In a fiery State of the Union address delivered before both houses of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court justices, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, foreign dignitaries and special guests, Biden showed Americans (and worried Democrats) that he is up for the fight and capable of the job. (Las Vegas Sun)
Here’s how to challenge a candidate you think is unqualified in Nevada
“Anyone can challenge a candidate as being unqualified,” said George Guthrie, media production specialist for Washoe County’s Registrar of Voters. “They gather the information that clarifies the candidate is not qualified, put it in a packet, and deliver it to the filing office.” (Reno Gazette Journal)
Captain Sam Brown Slams Biden: ‘Failed Leadership Hurts’
In response to the arrest of a Gold Star father, Brown says Biden Administration has no compassion or respect for military families. (Nevada Globe)
Biden to visit Reno and Las Vegas
President Joe Biden will travel to both Reno and Las Vegas next week as he barnstorms battleground states this month, his campaign announced Thursday. (The Nevada Independent)
How will Democrats’ tough 2024 Senate map affect Jacky Rosen?
The 2024 cycle will require Senate Democrats to defend seven competitive seats, including in states where they have become endangered species. Given the larger map, will Nevada still matter? (The Nevada Independent)
Upcoming Fundraisers
Campaign Kickoff for
Alex Velto
Thursday, March 14th at 6-8pm
Nautilus Rum Sugar Lime
1039 ½ S. Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89502
____________________________________
Nevada Senate Democrats endorse
Dallas Harris
Wednesday, March 27th at 3:30-5:00pm
Brio Italian Grille
6653 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
_____________________________________
Campaign Kickoff for Assemblyman
Duy Nguyen
Thursday, March 18th at 6 pm
Location will be given upon RSVP
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Fundraising Luncheons to Support
The Nevada Senate Republican Caucus
Las Vegas
Thursday, March 28th
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Bonefish Grill
6527 S. Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Reno
Friday, March 29th
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Napa Sonoma
7671 South Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89511
| 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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