The G3Wire

September 6, 2024

A few polls have been highlighted in the news this week. As a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the Nevada Constitution goes before voters in November, a new poll shows Silver State residents oppose criminalizing the procedure. The Unidos US poll: Inflation and cost of living continue to be the top issues afflicting likely Latino voters surveyed in Nevada, who better trust Democrats to address them, according to a poll of likely voters unveiled this week, questioned 300 Latinos in the state, who said they preferred Democrats over Republicans by a 44 percent to 29 percent margin. And Question 4 asks voters to remove slavery, involuntary servitude as punishment from NV constitution.  Nevada voters will decide whether to get rid of slavery and involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment from the state constitution on the 2024 ballot. These news links and so much more in the articles below!

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Governor Lombardo Announces General Waters as Nevada’s 31st Adjutant General

CARSON CITY, NV – Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced Brigadier General D. Rodger “Dan” Waters as the incoming 31st Adjutant General for the State of Nevada. (gov.nv.gov)

State and Local Government Updates

School districts across Nevada look beyond job fairs to bring in new teachers

UNLV’s apprenticeship program, along with pay raises and a visa program, aim to combat teacher shortages. The state’s largest school district started its new school year last month with 1,400 new hires and 94 percent of its nearly 17,000 classroom teacher positions filled. Yet about 1,100 vacancies remain, about the same number it had heading into the 2023-24 school year.  (The Nevada Independent)

County to consider allowing UNLV’s food-delivery robots to roam beyond campus

The 2023 Nevada Legislature, in passing Senate Bill 422, gave local governments the power to regulate the time, place and manner of operation of such personal delivery devices and to establish standards for their safe operation. (The Nevada Independent)

Reno City Council eases criteria for citing trespassers along railroad tracks

The Reno City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday to adopt an ordinance that would make enforcement of trespassing near railroad tracks easier. (Reno Gazette Journal)

DA: Trustee lives outside district—Proceeding to declare Williams’ office vacant

The Clark County district attorney has determined that schools Trustee Katie Williams no longer lives in the district that elected her, as required by law, according to a letter dated Wednesday. The office “shall commence a proceeding to declare the office vacant,” states the letter from District Attorney Steve Wolfson to Williams. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Ending Resort Corridor Court program criticized

A Las Vegas official’s decision to end a court program aimed at reducing Strip crime has drawn criticism from the Clark County district attorney, sheriff and the Nevada casino industry’s top trade group. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

High Desert upgraded to become maximum-security prison

A prison outside Las Vegas will become Nevada’s new maximum-security facility, with the state’s highest-risk offenders being transferred there from the prison in Ely in eastern Nevada that currently houses the state’s men’s death row, according to the Nevada Department of Corrections. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

BetMGM Sportsbook adds app features, new bonus

A new football season has arrived, and one online sportsbook operator with strong Las Vegas ties is rolling out a handful of upgrades for Nevada sports bettors. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Why a Strip casino is in deep water for violating federal anti-money laundering laws

Nevada gaming authorities have accused a Las Vegas casino of violating laws and regulations stemming from its ties to multiple individuals with questionable backgrounds. At the heart of the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s 12-count disciplinary complaint against Resorts World casino-hotel and its parent company Genting Berhad are claims that the Las Vegas Strip property failed to adhere to and enforce anti-money laundering (AML) provisions. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nevada Supreme Court ends Steve Wynn’s bid to sue Associated Press

The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday ended a defamation lawsuit brought by casino mogul Steve Wynn against The Associated Press in 2018, rejecting his bid for a jury to hear his claim that he was defamed by an AP story about two women who alleged Wynn committed sexual misconduct. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Federal Updates

Feds plan to open 32M acres of public land for solar development across 11 western states

The proposal released by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, known as the Western Solar Plan, updates a decade-old plan that identifies areas with high solar potential and low resource conflicts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and New Mexico. (Nevada Current)

Tribes fear federal solar plan could threaten proposed Bahsahwahbee national monument

Several Native American Tribes in Nevada fear a new solar development plan created by the federal government could lead to utility scale solar projects on the site of the proposed Bahsahwahbee national monument. Last week, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management released their long-anticipated Western Solar Plan. (Nevada Current)

Articles of Interest

There be critical minerals in them thar Nevada hills (and valleys)

The past and future of Nevada’s economy have much to do with the riches found below our feet. On the national stage, Nevada may be best known for its tourism and gaming industries. But the Silver State — named for the primary mineral produced when it was admitted as a state in 1864 — is a mining haven, with the industry worth billions in production value and tax revenue. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Las Vegas records hottest August in its history

For August, the official measuring station at the Las Vegas airport logged six days at 110 or hotter, 16 days at 105 or hotter and 27 of the 31 days reached 100 or hotter. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Tobacco giant eyes NV as market for new product, and eyes lawmakers for favorable tax treatment

They’re not hoping the lawmakers will give their new-to-market “heated cigarettes” a puff puff. They are hoping the lawmakers will pass legislation next year to tax them at a lower rate than they do traditional cigarettes. (Nevada Current)

Pahrump electric co-op set to receive $80.3M for solar project

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to invest $140 million for solar in rural communities in Kentucky and Nevada. Investment funds for the projects were sourced from the Inflation Reduction Act. (Nevada Current)

The Inflation Reduction Act may transform Nevada. Will voters care?

The Canadian company began exploring northwestern Nevada for lithium — the soft, silvery element used to power batteries of electronic goods — nearly 20 years ago. By the time the law was passed in 2022, the company already had been through the federal permitting process to open a lithium mine at Thacker Pass, near the Oregon border. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada Latinos disappointed, not surprised, over judicial pause for ‘parole in place’

A Texas judge’s decision to temporarily block a Biden administration program that offered a lifeline to legal residency for hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses didn’t exactly come as a surprise to Latino advocates in Nevada. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Environment: Is Lombardo’s revised climate plan a ‘missed opportunity?

Nevada is at the nexus of clean energy generation and has goals of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 or earlier. Its new climate plan overlooks that. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Gaming: Will the gaming revenue bubble pop?

In the last 12 months, Nevada’s gaming monthly revenue has averaged $1.3 billion. But will the bubble break or show signs of a slow leak? (The Nevada Independent)

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority hires new CFO

Jim McIntosh, Henderson’s former assistant city manager and chief financial officer, will serve as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s CFO. He will start his new position on September 30^th. (Las Vegas Sun)

Badlands case going back to Supreme Court?

Litigation related to the defunct Badlands golf course might again appear before the Nevada Supreme Court.  The Las Vegas City Council could vote Wednesday on whether to petition the state’s highest court to review one of the four cases against the city, according to this week’s meeting agenda. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Vote advances Riviera site plan—‘Fantastic news for the north end of the Strip’

A proposal for twin towers for residences and hotel rooms where the Riviera once stood sailed through a Clark County Zoning Commission review Wednesday. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Hotel room rates rise to watch Trop come down

As Las Vegas anxiously waits for the Tropicana hotel-casino to come down, room rates for properties around the demolition site are going up. The remainder of the Tropicana is tentatively scheduled to be imploded at 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 9, pending permit approval from Clark County. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Trump’s divisiveness leads GOP alumni here to back Harris

Greg Brower, who served in the Nevada Senate as a Republican, is supporting Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ bid for largely the same reasons he chose to register as a Republican during the early 1980s. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada’s only Native American youth shelter gets lifeline as it fights for survival

The donation from the NV Energy Foundation follows reporting from The Nevada Independent and will give the tribe time to find permanent funding. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada Latinos more likely to vote than swing state peers

More than 50 percent of Nevada Latinos voted during the 2020 election, the second highest rate among swing states. (The Nevada Independent)

Latino voters eye high prices—Survey: Democrats trusted over GOP

Inflation and cost of living continue to be the top issues afflicting likely Latino voters surveyed in Nevada, who better trust Democrats to address them, according to a poll of likely voters unveiled this week. The Unidos US poll — conducted by BSP Research — questioned 300 Latinos in the state, who said they preferred Democrats over Republicans by a 44 percent to 29 percent margin. Unidos US is the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the country. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Two sue over F1 race–Off-Strip businesses: Road work caused financial losses

The suit, filed Sept. 3 by the owners of a small, slots-only casino and historic Italian restaurant behind the Flamingo, seeks damages over $50,000 from Clark County and F1 because of the financial losses incurred leading up to, during and after the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Man who attacked Las Vegas judge pleads guilty, mentally ill

A man who attacked a judge pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the middle of his attempted murder trial on Thursday, the same day he heard testimony from the judge. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Election News

Important Dates

General Early Voting                                      October 19^th                Days Until: 43

General Election                                             November 5^th              Days Until: 60

Though still short on details, Harris housing policy is long on potential for Nevada, experts say 

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ proposal to bridge America’s housing gap is being hailed as the most aggressive since the post-World War II era by some, and by others as a campaign ploy based on bad math. (Nevada Current)

For pharma, Trump vs. Harris presents a show down between two industry foes

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have a rare point of agreement in their otherwise bitter and divisive contest: It’s up to the government to cut high U.S. drug prices. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Indy Explains: No sales tax on diapers? Question 5 on the 2024 Nevada ballot

Nevada could join 19 other states in exempting diapers from sales tax.  The law has several exemptions baked in, many through recent ballot initiatives. Items that are not subject to sales tax include food, farm equipment, feminine hygiene products and prosthetic devices. Question 5 would apply to child and adult diapers. (The Nevada Independent)

Poll: Nevada voters want expanded birth control access, oppose abortion criminalization

As a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the Nevada Constitution goes before voters in November, a new poll shows Silver State residents oppose criminalizing the procedure. (The Nevada Independent)

Brown says he’s “not for changing our existing law” on abortion ballot measure

Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown, who has declined to say publicly how he would vote on an abortion ballot question, said last week that he was not in favor of changing the law. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Elections: Few details on no taxes on tips policy

After promising to eliminate taxes on tips, neither Vice President Kamala Harris nor her opponent, former President Donald Trump, have explained how they will do so or what that promise fully entails. (The Nevada Independent)

Illegal voting by noncitizens is rare, yet it’s a major GOP issue this election

Citing an influx of immigrants in recent years at the U.S.-Mexico border, Republicans have raised concerns about the possibility that noncitizens will be voting and they have taken steps in numerous states to address that prospect, even though cases of noncitizens actually voting are rare. (Las Vegas Sun)

Political fight over Nevada voter ID question likely to heat up after new groups formed

Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is chairing a group called the Nevada Voter ID Coalition, and progressive group Battle Born Progress launched a PAC opposing the initiative. (The Nevada Independent)

Cultural war overshadows policy in Clark County School Board race

Kamilah Bywaters and Lorena Biassotti are competing to replace Trustee Lola Brooks, who has represented District E since 2016 but did not seek a third term. District E includes much of Summerlin. (Nevada Current)

Harris to roll out new plan on tax relief for small businesses

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce economic policy proposals aimed at helping small businesses during a campaign speech Wednesday in New Hampshire. (Nevada Current)

Voting rights group gets new life in Nevada

League of Women Voters, defunct for four years, relaunches two months before elections. The League formed in 1920, just months before the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote. Today, the organization includes men, and advocates on issues such as money in politics, redistricting, voting rights and fighting voter suppression, according to its website. (ktvn.com)

Question 4 asks voters to remove slavery, involuntary servitude as punishment from NV constitution

Nevada voters will decide whether to get rid of slavery and involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment from the state constitution on the 2024 ballot. (Nevada Current)

Upcoming Fundraisers

Fundraiser in Support of

Heidi Kasama AD2

Brian Hibbetts AD13

Bert Gurr AD33

Gregory Hafen AD36

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

4:00PM-6:00PM

The Brewer’s Cabinet

475 Arlington Ave.

Reno, NV 89501

RSVP eric@gopnevada.com

_______________________________________

Campaign Fundraiser for

Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth

Nevada State Assembly District 35

Thursday, September 12, 2024

6:00PM-8:00PM

Southern Highlands Golf Club

The Library Room

1 Robert Trent Jones Jr. Lane

Las Vegas, NV 89141

____________________________________

Campaign Fundraiser for

Kerri Maxey

District Court Judge

Thursday, September 19, 2024

6:00PM-8:00PM

McFarling Law Group

6230 W. Desert Inn Rd.

Las Vegas, NV 89146

RSVP: shelzenes@mcfarlinglaw.com

_______________________________________

2025 Legislative Session Updates

Important Dates

First Day of Legislative Session         February 3^rd                Days Until: 150

Wildfire, heat rules may change—State legislature discusses guidelines

As interim committees of the Nevada Legislature come to a close, two key environmental issues were earmarked for potential changes to state policy — wildfires and worker protections against the heat. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada legislation would overhaul school closure notification, review process

The bill would make the written notices of potential closure that state law already requires to be more detailed, with the reason for the recommendation to close, any documentation of costs associated with the closure, and the scope of work necessitated to keep the school open included in the notices. (Las Vegas Sun)

A law nobody wants to defend

An employee misclassification law passed by Nevada lawmakers has been in legal limbo since 2021.  Assembly Bill 227 from the Nevada Legislature’s 2021 session was designed to curb the use of under-the-table workers, gig workers, and other temporary labor on construction sites, which unions have long argued are exploited by companies in the name of profit. (Nevada Current)

NV lawmakers will consider changes to its elections process

Nevada lawmakers will consider changes to the state’s election laws next year. (publicnewsservice.org)