The G3Wire

November 15, 2024

Voters in Nevada had the chance to fix signature errors with their mail ballots by Tuesday, Nov. 12. However, as of Wednesday about 9,000 ballots throughout Nevada did not have signatures verified and were not counted, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. Nevada’s tourism economy could hit some “bumps in the road” over the next few years, according to UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research’s yearly economic outlook report released Wednesday. The report projects that Southern Nevada’s visitor traffic will decrease by 5.8% in 2025 and 6.9% in 2026. And for gross gaming revenue, decreases by 5.4% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026 are anticipated. And we need to prepare for the potential economic hit as well as the human toll of President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to deport at least 11 million undocumented immigrants, including 189,000 who live in Nevada. These Nevada news links and so much more below!!

State and Local Government Updates

Nevada adds real estate agents at fastest clip in U.S.

Nevada is adding more real estate agents to its ranks than anywhere else in the United States, according to a new study. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Reno City Council to welcome new representative afterward structure revamped

For the first time, the council will have six members representing geographical wards, and no at-large member, following a lengthy redistricting process. (The Nevada Independent)

Use Las Vegas’ HOV lanes? NDOT wants to hear from you

Do you have thoughts about Las Vegas’ carpool lanes? The Nevada Department of Transportation wants to hear them. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Economic outlook forecasts slowdown for Nevada’s tourism, gaming industries

Las Vegas has seen an increase in visitors, gaming revenue and hotel occupancy rates in rebounding from the economic crisis brought on by COVID-19 closures in 2020, but all three areas are projected to fall in the region over the next two years, the group’s research projects. (Las Vegas Sun)

Changes coming to CCSD’s book review policy

The decision comes just after two former Moms for Liberty members were elected to the school board. The trustees-elect have advocated for removing certain books that they have described as “pornographic.” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Federal Updates

U.S. to tighten restrictions on energy development to protect struggling sage-grouse

Biden’s administration is trying to strike a compromise between conservation and development interests to protect a declining bird species. However, it’s doubtful the changes would survive under Trump. (The Nevada Independent)

Nevada Medicaid to expand abortion coverage after state declines to appeal court decision

The state-managed health insurance program will now include abortion services alongside its other medically necessary health care options. (The Nevada Independent)

Lee votes for measure nonprofits warn would allow Trump to ‘stifle dissent’ and ‘chill speech’

Provision giving Treasury authority to revoke tax exempt status got a majority, but failed on procedural grounds. (Nevada Current)

Nevada unprepared for Trump’s mass deportations

Nevada’s captains of industry and political leaders are doing little, if anything, to prepare for the potential economic hit as well as the human toll of President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to deport at least 11 million undocumented immigrants, including 189,000 who live in Nevada. (Nevada Current)

Rosen pushes for more medical residency slots in NV

Nevada Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is now urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help tackle the state’s doctor shortage by awarding the state more federally funded medical residency slots. (Nevada Current)

Articles of Interest

Renderings of Strip towers filed–Corridor’s tallest resort with arena proposed

Renderings of what could become the tallest Strip resort — and home to one of two NBA-ready arenas that could someday host a Las Vegas basketball team — have been filed with Clark County and will be the subject of discussion Tuesday by the Winchester Town Advisory Board. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

A guide to key figures in Trump’s orbit as he returns to the White House

This combination photo of President-elect Donald Trump’s longtime friends, aides and allies shows, top row from left, Boris Epshteyn, Richard Grenell, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Howard Lutnick; center row from left, Linda McMahon, Stephen Miller, Elon Musk and Brooke Rollins; and bottom row from left, Lara Trump, Dana White and Susie Wiles. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Donor cash can be spent on PACs—$5K from Lombardo a focus of Fiore trial

When Joe Lombardo gave $5,000 from his campaign account to a political action committee, the future governor thought he was helping pay for the statue of a fallen Las Vegas police officer. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

How Trump could follow through on promise of tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose massive new tariffs upon entering office Jan. 20, calling them “the greatest thing ever invented.” And unlike some of his other campaign promises, he’s been consistent, repeatedly suggesting he’ll impose a 10% to 20% tariff on all foreign goods and a tariff of 60% or higher on products coming from China. (Las Vegas Sun)

Will the Grand Prix help the bottom line for all of Las Vegas, not just a few resorts?

Other events, including a Raiders game, are expected to boost a wider interest in the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, but Strip gaming execs don’t expect the bonanza of the kickoff year. (The Nevada Independent)

Culinary plans Nov. 15 strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

The union says 700 workers will walk the picket line after negotiations have failed. Virgin is the only Las Vegas property without a renewed five-year contract. (The Nevada Independent)

Like its urban counterpart, rural homelessness increasing in Nevada

The Rural Nevada Continuum of Care Point-in-Time Count, conducted once a year to give an annual snapshot of homelessness, found the number of people experiencing homelessness in grew 7% in rural areas. (Nevada Current)

Clark County and Las Vegas ramp up punitive policies toward homelessness

As homeless rates in Southern Nevada have skyrocketed, both Clark County and the City of Las Vegas have recently taken more punitive measures to criminalize the unhoused for sleeping in public.  Clark County voted 6-1 last week to prohibit unhoused folks from camping and sleeping in a public right-of-way. (Nevada Current)

Do I need a Real ID to fly in 2024, 2025? A checklist on getting the new ID

The final days to fly without a Real ID are here (yes, really). Starting May 7, 2025, federal agencies like the Transportation Security Administration will enforce requirements at airport security.  Here’s everything you need to know about Real IDs. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Like its urban counterpart, rural homelessness increasing in Nevada

The Rural Nevada Continuum of Care Point-in-Time Count, conducted once a year to give an annual snapshot of homelessness, found the number of people experiencing homelessness in grew 7% in rural areas. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Will the Grand Prix help the bottom line for all of Las Vegas, not just a few resorts?

Other events, including a Raiders game, are expected to boost a wider interest in the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, but Strip gaming execs don’t expect the bonanza of the kickoff year. (The Nevada Independent)

A remote tribe is reeling from widespread illness and cancer. What role did the U.S. government play?

The discovery of a document with a passing mention of Agent Orange suggests the government may be involved in contaminating the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. (The Nevada Independent)

Indy Environment: Conservationists paint bleak picture of Nevada’s environment under Trump

A second Trump administration means a lot of things to different people. With his push for drilling and opposition to clean energy, environmentalists have cause for concern. (The Nevada Independent)

Health officials see increase in cases of norovirus in Las Vegas Valley

The Southern Nevada Health District on Thursday advised Las Vegas Valley residents that it is seeing an increase in norovirus detected in community wastewater. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

NV Energy seeks input on possible solar projects

There are nine areas in Southern Nevada and two near Reno that executives are considering to construct the utility’s next community solar project. (Las Vegas Sun)

LVCVA chief sees monorail running for 8-10 years

The Las Vegas Monorail keeps chugging along and on Tuesday, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority unanimously approved another year of liability insurance coverage for the resort corridor’s 20-year old above-ground transit system. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Election News

Official Election Numbers

Updated 11/12/2024 (Clarkcountynv.gov)

Anatomy of a red wave: How Trump won Nevada

A dozen Nevada political strategists, experts and elected officials agreed that the fundamentals of the race — inflation, Trump’s appeal with working-class voters and Biden’s unpopularity — favored Republicans. (The Nevada Independent)

10,000 ballots still need curing–Tight races could hinge on Tuesday deadline

Just under 10,000 Nevada mail-in ballots still required signature verification as of Monday, the day before the deadline to do so in order for those voters’ choices to count. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nonpartisan voters help GOP break two-decade trend, redefine Nevada’s political landscape

A majority of Nevada voters backed the Republican presidential candidate last week for the first time in two decades, and down-ballot races where Democrats were projected to win comfortably closed on tighter-than-expected margins. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Analysis: Harris banked on wide nonpartisan support in Nevada. It apparently never came.

The Indy found she may have only received about 52 percent of the group in Clark and Washoe counties, which was not enough to offset gains in GOP voters. (The Nevada Independent)

Trump election casts ‘a lot of uncertainty’ on Nevada budget forecast

The prospect of a massive shift in U.S. economic policy under a second Trump administration could lead to a tricky budgeting cycle for Nevada. (Nevada Current)

Some 2024 General Election takeaways: Bad for libraries, good for Gov. Veto

The presidential election was far from the only thing being decided by Nevada voters last week. Here’s a look at some other takeaways that have emerged as the dust settled on the 2024 general. (Nevada Current)

How tech affected ‘the information environment’ of the 2024 election

AI-created misinformation deregulated social media platforms and influencers all played a major role in how Americans got their political information. (Nevada Current)

Voter ID question in Nevada had broad support, but campaign to prevent it hasn’t yet begun

The election last week in Nevada brought close results up and down the ballot — races for the White House, U.S. Senate, Clark County Commission and Nevada Legislature were decided by narrow margins.  One race, somewhat surprisingly, was determined by a landslide: Ballot Question 7. (Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada ballot concern? Here’s how to check if there’s a problem with your ballot.

Voters should’ve received a letter or a call that their ballot needs curing. If you mailed your ballot on or near Election Day, it’s possible you haven’t received a letter yet. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Live updates as Biden, Trump to meet at White House: What to know, how to watch

He’s not moving in just yet, but President-elect Donald Trump is returning briefly to the White House on Wednesday. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Nonpartisan voters help GOP break two-decade trend, redefine Nevada’s political landscape

A majority of Nevada voters backed the Republican presidential candidate last week for the first time in two decades, and down-ballot races where Democrats were projected to win comfortably closed on tighter-than-expected margins. (Las Vegas Sun)

Trump builds out national security team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Noem for DHS

In a flurry of announcements, Trump said he had chosen former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel and his longtime friend Steven Witkoff to be a special envoy to the Middle East. Trump also said he would nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to run the Department of Homeland Security and named Bill McGinley, his Cabinet secretary in his first administration, as his White House counsel. (Las Vegas Sun)

Susie Lee announces bid for new House leadership position

Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., is seeking a leadership post in the House Democratic Caucus.  Lee is making the case to serve as “Battleground leadership representative” — a role she proposed in 2022 to represent the views of swing state members in the House Democratic Caucus. (Las Vegas Sun)

Trump’s win brings uncertainty to borrowers hoping for student loan forgiveness

Project 2025, the blueprint for a hard-right turn in American politics, calls for getting the federal government out of the student loan business. (The Nevada Independent)

Some inconvenient truths about the national election

As one would expect, the postmortems on last week’s election are well underway. Here in North Carolina, where voters did pretty much what they’ve done for years, the results don’t seem that hard to understand. Republicans continued to dominate the presidential contest, and Democrats returned the favor in the governor’s race. (Nevada Current)

Many voters backed abortion rights and Donald Trump, a challenge for Democrats

Voters in three states — Arizona, Missouri, and Nevada — voted last Tuesday to advance protections for abortion rights in their state constitutions. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has won all three states in his victorious bid for the White House. (The Nevada Independent)

Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election

The lack of certification drama so far this week is a return to how the typically routine process worked before Trump lost his bid for re-election four years ago. (The Nevada Independent)

Elon Musk, tapped for key role in Donald Trump’s administration, has many ties to Nevada

Musk’s outsized public role in the Trump Administration is raising questions about how it could potentially influence his private interests, several of which have ties to Nevada. (Reno Gazette Journal)

9 votes separate candidates in North Las Vegas race

Nine votes separated the two North Las Vegas City Council candidates vying to represent the city’s Ward 2, according to figures posted Wednesday by the Nevada secretary of state. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada tribes awarded $5 million to enhance water security

Native American tribes in Nevada face unique water challenges, often due to a lack of infrastructure or water treatment facilities. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

9,000 Nevada ballots went uncounted this year due to signature issues

Voters in Nevada had the chance to fix signature errors with their mail ballots by Tuesday, Nov. 12. However, as of Wednesday about 9,000 ballots throughout Nevada did not have signatures verified and were not counted, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. Most of those uncured ballots — about 7,500 — were from Clark County, the most populous county in the state. (Reno Gazette Journal)

Vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. selected as health czar

President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Legislative Updates

Important Dates

First Day of Legislative Session                February 3^rd                       Days Until: 80

• Check out the 554 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.

• First Bills from the 83^rd Legislative session have dropped!

• 35 Assembly bills and 37 Senate bills

Yeager, Cannizzaro will lead the Legislature once again

Speaker Steve Yeager and state Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro were both re-elected to their roles as Speaker and Senate Majority Leader, respectively. (Las Vegas Review Journal)

Nevada Board of Education seeks legislation for later high school start times

The Nevada State Board of Education plans to pursue a bill in the Nevada Legislature to require later start times for high schools statewide. (Las Vegas Sun)

Former Nevada Speaker dies after long career in public service

Former Assemblyman John Hambrick died Wednesday night. (Las Vegas Review Journal)