Government
History after all: Nevada to be first state with majority female Legislature
For months, media around the nation and even internationally published stories about the prospect of Nevada becoming the first state in the U.S. to have a majority female Legislature. It didn’t happen in the November election. But after the post-election shuffling, and after appointments were made to fill vacancies of people who were elected to […]
Why Heller should be Trump’s Interior Secretary
Later this week Donald Trump could name Dean Heller to replace ethically challenged Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Interior, and Heller might be the best person Trump could possibly name to the job. Make no mistake, every person who is a possible Interior nominee — at least two Republican politicians from nearly every state […]
Bill would afford judges due process before Discipline Commission
Some members of the Nevada judiciary fear the regulators charged with keeping them in line are riding roughshod, and they’re asking the Nevada Legislature to take action. The Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission (JDC) possesses extraordinary powers, with exclusive jurisdiction to censure, fine, remove or otherwise impose discipline on more than 600 judges, according to […]
Cortez Masto lands seat on Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has nabbed a seat on the Senate Finance Committee. The Finance Committee oversees large swaths of the federal budget, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and other health and human services programs. The committee also has jurisdiction over issues relating to taxation and revenues. Cortez Masto is leaving her seat […]
Sisolak announces inaugural events
Governor-elect Steve Sisolak will be sworn in to office on the steps of the Nevada Capitol on January 7, with a public reception to follow at the Nevada State Library and Archives. The governor-elect’s inauguration team says the public is welcome and the event is free. Two inaugural galas will follow – the first at […]
Farm bill finally passes, preserves food stamps for 13,000 Nevadans
Wednesday the Senate passed a final version of the farm bill, which includes provisions that strengthen conservation efforts across the country. For months, the bill was stalled in the Senate due to the opposition to Republican-backed provisions that would tighten the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) income eligibility requirements while imposing stricter work requirements for able-bodied […]
Sisolak sets date for state of the state
Will he call for raising the minimum wage? Will he deviate from the budget left him by Brian Sandoval in any meaningful way? Will there be an innovative surprise initiative? Will something interesting happen? Will anyone watch? By Jan. 16, Governor-elect Steve Sisolak will be governor-elect no more, but governor for real, and on that night […]
Frierson announces Assembly committee assignments
Though there are two vacancies to be filled, Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson announced committee assignments for the 2019 Legislative session. The two spots opened after Assemblyman Chris Brooks was appointed to the Senate on Tuesday and Assemblywoman Olivia Diaz announced her resignation to run for Las Vegas City Council. Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson announced […]
Horsford names Asha Jones chief of staff
U.S. Rep.-elect Steven Horsford appointed Asha Jones as his chief of staff, making her one of 21 African-American women to hold that job of the 535 chiefs of staff in Congress. Jones, who most recently was the Director of Government Affairs for the College of Southern Nevada, previously worked as the Nevada Political Director for […]
Realtors oppose tax to fight homelessness
Ahead of the 2019 Nevada Legislative session, the committee of taxation submitted a bill, on behalf of the City of Las Vegas, to increase the real property transfer tax and add a surcharge to sewer services in attempt to fund homeless services and affordable housing. The bill already has opposition from Nevada Realtors. “We support efforts […]
Titus goes to bat again for hungry kids
For close to two-thirds of Clark County students, the free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches they receive at school may be the most nutritious meals, or even their primary source of food, throughout the week. “That’s more than 203,000 students who face hunger at home and come to school unprepared to learn,” says Rep. Dina […]
Ford announces transition team
Attorney General-elect Aaron Ford announced the 19 members of his transition team Wednesday. Members include Geoconda Arguello-Kline from the Culinary Union, Clark County public defender John Piro, Douglas County district attorney Mark Jackson and Barbara Buckley, the executive director of Legal Aid of Southern Nevada — Buckley is also a co-chair for Governor-elect Steve Sisolak’s […]