Legislature
‘Outmaneuvered:’ Housing justice advocates reflect on session, look to future
Before the pandemic hit, Quentin Savwoir, the deputy director of Make it Work Nevada, would often go into the community and hear about economic issues such as the lack of child care options, pay equity issues and insufficient paid leave policies. While those obstacles haven’t gone away, COVID-19 and the subsequent shutdown that resulted in […]
New mining tax approved, revenue will fund schools
Nevada lawmakers on the final day of the 81st Legislative Session set in motion a significant shift in tax policy toward an industry that has long been scrutinized for having a unique constitutional carveout protecting it from tax hikes. Assembly Bill 495 was a bipartisan compromise forced by multiple proposed ballot questions aimed at some […]
Nevada Supreme Court to Democrats: The constitution says what it says
The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that two bills passed by Senate Democrats during the 2019 Legislative Session were unconstitutional because they did not pass by a two-thirds majority. The dispute, filed by Senate Republicans after the last session, involved the state’s modified business tax, which was set to be reduced on July 1, […]
State must not only create, but preserve affordable housing
Nevada is already experiencing an affordable housing shortage, but state Sen. Julia Ratti warned lawmakers Monday another 7,500 affordable units could be lost in the next five years if nothing is done. The state’s fraught relationship with housing security and the lack of available units, only underscored by the pandemic, was highlighted Monday while discussing […]
Legislative session, such as it is, convenes, sort of
Gaining access to lawmakers can be difficult in any given year. But this year may prove especially challenging for grassroots activists due to the pandemic precautions in place at the capital. When the 81st Legislative Session begins midday Monday, only lawmakers, essential staff and a small pool of media will be physically allowed inside the […]
Sisolak warns state agencies to prep for more budget cuts
Nevada cut hundreds of millions of dollars from its state budget during a legislative special session this summer to address a $1.2 billion shortfall. More cuts may be on the way when the Legislature meets again in February. The governor’s office announced Friday that state agencies have been asked to prepare budget “reserves” of 12 […]
Prospect of Democratic supermajority looms over state Senate races
The 2018 “blue wave” brought Nevada its first Democratic governor in two decades and strengthened Democratic majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. But that wave stopped one state senator shy of creating a legislative supermajority that would have empowered Democrats to raise taxes without bipartisan support. Twice now that has proven to be […]
Here’s what passed (and what failed) at the special session
Nevada’s 31st Special Session ended with a whimper Sunday as legislators resignedly finished the process of slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from health care, education and other state agency budgets. The omnibus budget-cut bill was the foundation of the state’s plan to balance a $1.2 billion shortfall caused by the swift shutdown of major […]
Despite flip-flop on mining tax, teachers union says no regret of Pickard endorsement
The Clark County Education Association is standing by its oft-criticized 2018 endorsement of the Republican state senator whose about-face on a proposal to raise taxes on the mining industry resulted in a failure to raise $50 million revenue for education during an unprecedented budget shortfall. State Sen. Keith Pickard on Saturday voted against a bill […]
GOP blocks Democrats’ play to raise mining taxes in late-night grandstanding session
In an outcome that surprised few, a whirlwind push by Nevada Democrats to raise taxes on the mining industry was blocked by Senate Republicans early Friday. Assembly Democrats on Thursday introduced Assembly Bill 4, which would have set a 60 percent cap on the deductions available to mining companies. When combined with Senate Bill 3, […]
Anti-gerrymandering group asks governor to suspend rules on signature collection
The group behind a proposed ballot initiative to curb partisan gerrymandering are urging Gov. Steve Sisolak to suspend rules on signature collection during the coronavirus pandemic. Their request has so far been ignored. Fair Maps Nevada is proposing a constitutional amendment that takes the power and responsibility of redrawing political boundary lines away from the […]
Lawmakers told redistricting will demand special session in 2021
The Nevada Legislature will need to call a special session next year to finalize redrawing its political districts, a task that was scheduled for completion during the planned 2021 Legislative Session but is now on a delayed timeline because of the coronavirus pandemic. If the state doesn’t voluntarily hold a special session, it will be […]