October 12, 2024
This week in Nevada, Las Vegas said goodbye to the iconic Tropicana, which opened on the south end of the Strip in 1957, was given a fitting send-off, with an eight-minute fireworks display that included aerial messages presented by 555 drones of the past, present and future for the site, including logos for the Tropicana, Las Vegas and the Oakland Athletics, the stadium’s future tenant. In election news, federal agencies issued a warning late last week to state elections officials about domestic threats from extremists with “election-related grievances” targeting election workers, political candidates and lawmakers in the coming weeks with Election Day just 28 days away. Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a narrow lead in the latest polling of Nevada, though the poll’s margin of error still leaves the race as a statistical dead heat. New Emerson College Polling/The Hill polling of swing states released Thursday shows a tight presidential race, with 48 percent of Nevada voters surveyed supporting Harris and 47 percent supporting Trump, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent. These Nevada news links and so more below!
State and Local Government Updates
Indy Education: New Douglas County superintendent say a “district reset” is needed
Three months into the job, Superintendent Frankie Alvarado is focused on the future, and leaving past school board controversies in the rearview mirror. (The Nevada Independent)
Traffic safety requires partners–County office fosters relationships to help all
Two years into its existence, the Clark County Office of Traffic Safety has been building relationships with local law enforcement, first responders and other jurisdictions to make local roadways safer. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
CCSD legal bills mount–Settlement vote comes amid budget shortfalls
As the Clark County School District faces a potential $20 million deficit — a shortfall it has blamed, in part, on the cost of litigation — trustees will vote Thursday on whether to approve paying $3.5 million in another settlement. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
CCSD revises projected budget deficit to $12M for this school year, down from previous figure
The revised estimate comes as CCSD continues its budget closeout process for the 2023-24 school year, and is a reduction from the $20 million ballpark figure that Interim Brenda Larsen-Mitchell gave Nevada superintendent of schools Jhone Ebert last week in response to the state schools chief’s inquiry about CCSD’s recently articulated budget challenges. (Las Vegas Sun)
Officials say potential Clark County schools’ budget deficit $9M less than initially projected
If the district uses unassigned funds to shore up that shortfall, officials say its new ending fund balance will remain above its target. (The Nevada Independent)
Federal Updates
Unemployment ticks down, labor market remains strong, latest numbers show
A month before voters cast their ballots, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report showing a strong labor market with growing wages, a lower unemployment rate, and the addition of 254,000 jobs to the economy. Eighty-one percent of registered voters say the economy is key to their vote for president this fall. (Nevada Current)
US Supreme Court to hear nuclear waste storage dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has the authority to license nuclear waste storage facilities following a judicial ruling that upended decades of practice by declaring it does not. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Senators demand another antitrust investigation into pharmacy middlemen
A federal antitrust watchdog is already conducting an investigation into and has filed a lawsuit against huge pharmacy middlemen. Now two U.S. senators want the Federal Trade Commission to open a separate investigation into an emerging practice of their even bigger parent companies. (Nevada Current)
Articles of Interest
Coyote calling contests: Nevada’s search for a compromise that likely doesn’t exist
The Nevada Wildlife Commission and state lawmakers have punted for years on the issue of coyote calling competitions. Will they finally address it? (The Nevada Independent)
Chevron trying to mobilize Nevadans to protest California’s proposed gas-refining policies
After a year of protesting California’s energy policies in advertising between its pumps, Chevron’s advocacy wing has expanded its campaign to Nevada. At up to 240 gas stations in the state, a new ad blames local gas prices on policies in California, a state that provides 88% of Nevada’s gas, according to the oil industry. (Las Vegas Sun)
Top medical officer not licensed–Azzam one of state’s highest-paid employees
Nevada’s chief medical officer, Ihsan Azzam, has been one of the state’s highest-paid employees for years.
He also doesn’t have a medical license in Nevada. And unlike some neighboring states, Nevada doesn’t require it for his position as a top public health officer. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
‘Trop dust’ warning issued–Two hotel towers set for demolition lasting 22 seconds
Clark County officials issued an air quality dust advisory during the early hours of Wednesday, as the Tropicana hotel-casino implosion will “produce a cloud of ‘Trop dust,’” according to a release. The controlled demolition of the two former hotel towers of the Tropicana was scheduled for 2:30 a.m. and was expected to last about 22 seconds. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Agency: A’s owner can finance share of ballpark
Las Vegas Stadium Authority staff say their review of Athletics owner John Fisher’s family finances left them confident he can finance the team’s portion of their planned $1.5 billion Strip ballpark. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
LV leads in new home listings–California exodus, lower rates among factors
Las Vegas’ housing market leads the entire country in one key metric: new home listings. A new report from Redfin found that year over year up through the end of August, new listings rose most in the Las Vegas metro (12.8 percent), beating out San Diego (11.7 percent) and Sacramento, California (9.5 percent). (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
G2E highlights Las Vegas’ shift to attract millennials to casinos
Innovations in gaming space and expanding technology in the post pandemic era continue to attract a new, younger generation to Las Vegas and its casinos, MGM Resorts International President Bill Hornbuckle said Tuesday at the Global Gaming Expo. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Trop is dropped: Legendary Vegas casino imploded in early-morning spectacle
The Paradise and Club Towers fell at 2:36 a.m. A minute later, all that remained was a dust cloud and the fading smell of fireworks. (Las Vegas Sun)
Nevada Congresswoman speaks on gambling as now a national interest
After being unanimously elected as co-chair of the Congressional Gaming Caucus in 2020, Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., has watched the halls of the United States Capitol change their tune on the gaming industry. (Las Vegas Sun)
Poll: In Nevada, bipartisan support for expanding pathways to legal citizenship
Survey reveals that a majority of Democrats and Republicans favor a new visa that would allow undocumented longtime residents to apply for citizenship. (The Nevada Independent)
Indy Environment: Does the BLM’s solar plan trade Nevada’s resources for desert sprawl?
The BLM’s Western Solar Plan could leave Nevada exchanging its cultural and geographical resources and wildlife habitat for sprawling solar complexes. (The Nevada Independent)
Last remnants of the Tropicana Las Vegas disappear in 22 seconds
It took just 22 seconds for the Tropicana Las Vegas to be turned into a pile concrete and twisted steel early Wednesday morning. The site will become the home of a Major League Baseball stadium. (The Nevada Independent)
Indy Gaming: Debate over smoking in casinos takes center stage at G2E
Smoke-free casinos are up for discussion once again at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. They, anti-smoking groups are backed by research showing 86 percent of casino customers want to ban the activity. (The Nevada Independent)
Overnight sensation–Tropicana implodes in 22-second show
It took all of 22 seconds to reduce the Rat Pack-era Tropicana’s two hotel towers to rubble early Wednesday morning, pushing aside 67 years of history to make way for the Athletics’ planned Las Vegas ballpark. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
September home sales plummet–Down 16.2 percent as supply outpaces demand
Supply continues to outpace demand in Southern Nevada as homes are sitting on the market without offers longer and sales continue to drop, according to the latest statistics from Las Vegas Realtors. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Will Donald Trump get time in jail? Similar cases in N.Y. may offer clues
In November, after voters decide whether to return Donald Trump to the White House, the judge who oversaw his criminal trial could send him to jail. (Las Vegas Sun)
Harris viewed more positively by Hispanic women than by Hispanic men: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON — A solid majority of Hispanic women have a positive opinion of Vice President Kamala Harris and a negative view of former President Donald Trump, but Hispanic men are more divided on both candidates, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (Las Vegas Sun)
Election News
Important Dates
General Early Voting October 19th Days Until: 15
General Election November 5th Days Until: 32
Democrats call for dismissal of GOP lawsuit alleging noncitizens on Nevada voter rolls
Democrats argued the state already has a robust process for ensuring noncitizens do not vote and accused Republicans of seeking a “drastic change” in the home stretch of the election cycle. (The Nevada Independent)
Once legislative colleagues, Steven Horsford, John Lee now squaring off for House seat
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) and former North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee have known each other for years. Their careers are crossing paths, but this time, they’re opponents. Lee, now a Republican, is challenging Horsford. (The Nevada Independent)
Harris campaign courts LDS voters in Nevada, banking on Jan. 6, distaste for Trump
While Republicans are expected to win the Latter-day Saints’ vote, the Harris campaign believes changes in the margins could power her to victory. (The Nevada Independent)
On the Record: Assembly District 25 candidates Selena La Rue Hatch and Diana Sande
In separate interviews, La Rue Hatch and Sande addressed their goals for office and answered questions across 14 different policy areas. (The Nevada Independent)
Washoe County to answer election questions, show new voter check-in system at open house
The Washoe County Registrar of Voters office will hold a two-hour open house Thursday for residents who want to ask questions about how elections are run or try out the new digital check-in system that will be used during in-person voting. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Harris losing ground with young Latino men, new exclusive USA-TODAY polls find
Vice President Kamala Harris is losing support among young Latino men, even as she continues to hold a lead over Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump among Latino voters in Arizona and Nevada – two key states that will help determine the 2024 election, according to two exclusive new USA TODAY/Suffolk University polls. (yahoo.com)
‘Average Nevadan’ defending state Senate seat from Republican with potent name recognition
Rogich is the wife of Sig Rogich, a former campaign adviser for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, as well as Sen. John McCain during his 2008 presidential campaign. Sig Rogich also served as a White House adviser and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Iceland during the administration of the elder Bush. (Nevada Current)
Carson City voters get ballots with mistake. Replacements to be sent next week.
All Carson City voters will receive a second mail-in ballot next week after the first ones were sent with a mistake. Mail-in ballots began arriving Saturday at Carson City homes. They show candidate Lynn Chapman running as a Democrat for Nevada’s U.S. House seat representing Northern Nevada. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Voting bill restores felons’ right to hold office–Speaker in 2019: Proposal about the right to vote
During the state’s legislative session in 2019, Democratic lawmakers repeatedly stated that the intent of Assembly Bill 431 was to restore voting rights for convicted felons. But the bill quietly restored other rights, as well. The legislation automatically restored the rights of those convicted of the most serious felonies to hold elective office and to serve on a criminal jury. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Man of conviction–Assembly hopeful: Ready to serve after prison
Jovan Jackson, the Democratic candidate in heavily Democratic Assembly District 6, has a string of arrests, Medicaid sanctions and a felony conviction for his part in a 2015-armed robbery, records obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal show. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Harris unveils plan to allow Medicare to cover in-home care costs
Kamala Harris proposed a new campaign policy Tuesday to help seniors “age in place,” a popular concept allowing older Americans to receive care at home through Medicare. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Nevada official son alert as federal agencies warn of election-related threats
Federal agencies issued a warning late last week to state elections officials about domestic threats from extremists with “election-related grievances” targeting election workers, political candidates and lawmakers in the coming weeks with Election Day just 28 days away. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Rosen raises $12.1 million in third quarter of Senate race, her best haul yet
The Democratic incumbent, who has significantly outspent her opponent and leads him in polls, entered October with $4.8 million in cash on hand. (The Nevada Independent)
In Reno, Walz touts home health care plan, Harris receives first Nevada tribe endorsement
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe announced its support, citing Harris’ commitment to protecting its sacred society and vital funding. (The Nevada Independent)
Among some Bernie Sanders supporters in Nevada, Harris ‘is the best of the choices’
The Nevada Independent spoke with 10 attendees at events with Sen. Bernie Sanders last week. Many of them are longtime Sanders supporters and were steadfast in supporting Harris, mostly because of who is running against her. (The Nevada Independent)
At Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz’s Reno rally, women’s health care, guns among topics
Reno resident Heidi England and best friend Wendy Gable introduced themselves as “childless cat ladies” as they waited in line for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s rally Tuesday evening at the Grand Sierra Resort.
The Democratic candidate for vice president was returning to Reno after his previously scheduled rally in mid-September was canceled due to the Davis Fire. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Donald Trump to hold rally Friday in Reno; here’s how to get tickets
Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally Friday at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. This will be Trump’s first visit to Reno since a campaign stop in December to urge supporters to participate in Nevada’s Republican presidential caucus. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Question 7 would require photo ID for in-person voting, additional info on mail ballots
Question 7 proposes establishing in the state constitution a requirement that Nevadans must present government-issued photo identification before voting in-person. Question 7 would also require that voters using a mail ballot list the last four digits of their Nevada driver’s license number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, or a number provided to them by their county clerk when they registered to vote. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Latest US Swing States Voting Intention (27 September – 2 October 2024)
Compared to our last swing state voting intention poll, Harris now leads Trump by a single point in three states which were previously tied: Nevada (48% to 47%), Pennsylvania (48% to 47%), and Wisconsin (47% to 46%).Trump leads in Arizona (48% to 47%), Florida (49% to 45%), and North Carolina (47% to 45%), but has lost his lead in Georgia, where both candidates are tied on 47%. Meanwhile, Harris extends her leads in Michigan (48% to 46%) and Minnesota (51% to 43%). (redfieldandwilton strategies.com)
The race for president is tied at 49% in Nevada. The results reflect one of the awkward dynamics of polling reports in a close election. Harris’ numbers round down to 49% while Trump’s numbers round up to 49%. As a result, even though the poll results are 49% to 49%, Harris has a slight advantage (0.7 percentage points) that rounds up to a one-point lead.(napolitianinstitute.org)
Harris losing ground with young Latino men, exclusive USA-TODAY polls find
A gender gap persists between the two candidates’ backers – with Trump seeing more support among young Latino men under 50, and Harris finding more support from women. (usatoday.com)
In Nevada’s only GOP House district, incumbent Amodei faces well-heeled indie challenge
For the first time since 1998, no Democrat is running for the reliably Republican Northern Nevada district. Instead, Amodei is facing a nonpartisan challenge. (The Nevada Independent)
Indy Elections: A fact-check bonanza
Questionable campaign ads are everywhere, so we decided to add some much-needed context to a few of them. Plus: Polls show the presidential race is a toss-up in Nevada (cue the #WeMatter reminder), Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) goes up on TV for the first time since 2018 and the latest on a GOP challenge to mail ballots.Plus: The early voting blog has arrived. (The Nevada Independent)
Becker, Bilbray-Axelrod compete for seat on Clark County Commission
The race for a seat on Clark County Commission, arguably the most powerful elected board in the state, pits Republican April Becker against Democrat Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod. The seat is being vacated by Commissioner Ross Miller, who chose not to run for re-election. (Nevada Current)
Jill Biden expected to campaign for Harris on Sunday in Carson City
First Lady Jill Biden will be campaigning in Carson City and Reno this weekend for Vice President Kamala Harris. According to CNN Biden will be in Carson City and Reno on Sunday. No details of the visit were available as of Wednesday night. (Nevada Appeal)
Trump’s small-dollar donor fundraising is beset by confusion and fatigue
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s contributions from small-dollar donors have plummeted since his last White House campaign, presenting the former president with a financial challenge as he tries to keep pace with the Democrats’ fundraising machine. (Las Vegas Sun)
In Las Vegas town hall with Latinos, Harris focuses on family and opportunity
Harris was speaking with undecided Latino voters, a voting bloc coveted by both candidates. Experts have said their votes in Nevada could determine who wins this crucial election swing state’s six electoral votes. (Las Vegas Sun)
Dina Titus, Mark Robertson face off again in Nevada’s 1st Congressional District
Two years ago, Dina Titus (D-NV) defeated Mark Robertson, a retired Army colonel, by more than 5 percentage points. National Republicans have ignored the race, but Robertson thinks he has better odds this time around. (The Nevada Independent)
After canceling its Nevada reservations, NRSC joins forces with Brown in hybrid ads
Vastly outspent by Democrats in the U.S. Senate race in Nevada, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has scrapped an ambitious spending plan and is now taking a different approach. (The Nevada Independent)
At Vegas town hall, Harris faces questions from Latinos on immigration, health care
Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for a town hall in Las Vegas on Thursday with undecided Latino voters who lamented a “broken” immigration system and the rising cost of housing, health care and groceries. (The Nevada Independent)
Obama to rally for Harris in Las Vegas on Oct. 19
Obama will stump for Harris and down-ballot Democrats and encourage early voting, the Harris campaign said. The former president held a rally in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, the first of several swing state events he plans to headline in the final month of the campaign. (The Nevada Independent)
Harris leading slightly in state–VP up 48-47 in Emerson poll
Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a narrow lead in the latest polling of Nevada, though the poll’s margin of error still leaves the race as a statistical dead heat. New Emerson College Polling/The Hill polling of swing states released Thursday shows a tight presidential race, with 48 percent of Nevada voters surveyed supporting Harris and 47 percent supporting Trump, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Rosen, Brown in crucial Nevada Senate race—Democrat seeks re-election against military vet
All eyes are on Nevada’s Senate race — which could determine the balance of power in Congress — where Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is fighting to keep her seat from Republican Sam Brown. The race is one of seven Senate races the Cook Political Report considers competitive, though the nonpartisan political analysis newsletter thinks Rosen has the advantage. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Challengers are hoping to upset longtime incumbents in Nevada’s four congressional districts, though doing so is an uphill battle. Democratic Rep. Dina Titus in Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, Republican Rep. Mark Amodei in the 2nd Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in the 3rd Congressional District and Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford in the 4th Congressional District are all up for re-election. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Abortion has passed inflation as the top election issue for women under 30, survey finds
About 2 in 5 in the group of young voters said abortion was their top concern in the recent survey, compared with 1 in 5 who ranked it most important in the same survey in the spring. (Las Vegas Sun)
Legislative Updates
Important Dates
First Day of Legislative Session February 3rd Days Until: 115
Check out the 539 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Fundraiser in Support of
Brittney Miller
Sunday, October 13, 2024
4:00pm-6:00pm
Address given upon RSVP
_______________________________________
Reception in Support for
Governor Joe Lombardo
Friday, October 18, 2024
5:30 p.m. – _7:00 p.m.
Brasserie St. James
901 South Center Street
Reno, NV 89501
Please RSVP with Tim Perez at
(702) 242-1414 or
______________________________________
Fundraiser Supporting
Nevada HOPE PAC
Thursday, October 17, 2024
6:00pm-7:30pm
Full Address to be sent out with RSVP
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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