Uncategorized
U.S. House speaker gains Dem backing for foreign aid plan, as far-right Republicans seethe
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats on Thursday began coalescing behind Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to provide assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan through a series of three bills, though far-right members of his own party grew increasingly frustrated with the Louisianan’s bipartisan streak. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is leading an effort […]
Impacts of court groundwater decision still a long way off, top water regulator tells lawmakers
After years of groundwater decline and failed legislative action, a court decision in January affirmed the state’s right to limit groundwater pumping using the most current scientific data, but full implementation of the ruling may take some time. Last week, the state engineer — Nevada’s top water regulator — expanded on how the state will […]
Biden evokes history at campaign rally in Charleston
CHARLESTON, SC — At a historic Black church in Charleston where a hate-fueled massacre shocked the nation in 2015, President Joe Biden evoked the memories of that horrific night as he campaigned for a second term. “The word of God was pierced by bullets of hate, rage, propelled by not just gunpowder but by a […]
It’s ‘infrastructure decade,’ Biden says while touting high-speed rail funding in NV
On a campaign stop in Las Vegas Friday, President Joe Biden reclaimed “Bidenomics,” announcing billions of dollars in new infrastructure spending on high-speed rail in Nevada and nationwide. The president kept jabs toward his predecessor Donald Trump relatively light, instead highlighting his own administration’s economic accomplishments, including legislation to lower prescription drug costs, expand high-speed […]
Biden denounces deadly Hamas attack on Israel: ‘There’s no justification for terrorism’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden wants a returning Congress to take “urgent action” on Israel’s security needs after Hamas militants have injured and killed thousands beginning with Saturday’s brutal attack, including the deaths of 14 Americans. U.S. citizens are also among the hostages taken into Gaza by the armed group, though the administration could not […]
Public money sought to help fund Super Bowl weekend for CEOs
Las Vegas leaders are asking local governments to commit public money to help fund a three-day Super Bowl weekend, including a suite at Allegiant Stadium for the big game, for at least eight CEOs who may want to do business in Southern Nevada someday. “We’ve done a great job selling the destination. But when it […]
States, cities turn to community organizations to battle wage theft
About five years ago, most of Minneapolis’ Subway, Little Caesars and McDonald’s franchise restaurants did not comply with city wage standards. Now workers at each of the locations that violated the law receive the required minimum wage and time off when they’re sick. This is all thanks to a co-enforcement program, where the city’s labor […]
State lawmakers order up study of largest part of criminal justice system: Misdemeanors
More than 60% of criminal filings in Nevada are for misdemeanor offenses, the Fines and Fees Justice Center told state lawmakers in June. Despite being the overwhelming majority of crimes processed in the legal system, there is scant data on what the most common misdemeanors are and how municipalities enforce them. “It’s a giant system […]
In contrast to red state anti-LGBTQ push, NV’s Republican governor signs 2 trans protection bills
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo recently signed two bills enhancing protections for transgender and gender nonconforming people at a time when Republican-led states have been passing record numbers of anti-LGBTQ legislation. Lombardo also vetoed a bill that protected providers offering gender-affirming care. One bill signed Monday prevents insurance companies from discriminating against trans people on the […]
Resort industry pitches regional homelessness project, asks state for $100 million match
On the third-to-last day of a 120-day legislative session, Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas) and a small army of lobbyists representing the state’s premier industry asked lawmakers to establish a $100 million fund to support the buildout of a “transformational campus” that offers support to the unhoused or people at risk of homelessness. The […]
‘We blew a major opportunity this year:’ Session falls short on addressing drought, groups say
In the nation’s driest state, water emerged as a uniting issue among lawmakers and conservation groups during the state’s legislative session. This year saw a deluge of water conservation bills, from retiring water rights to septic tank removal and mitigating pit lakes to revisions for outdated water laws. While Nevada received some much-needed relief from […]
NV Energy bills projected to skyrocket in July
The average NV Energy bill for July is expected to reach $470 in Southern Nevada, up from $337 last year, and the average bill in Northern Nevada is projected at $212, up from $159 in 2022, says Nevada’s consumer advocate. “Due to public policy costs, past legislation and high natural gas prices, these rates will […]