Opening remarks
Happy Leap Day!
2023 was one heck of a year for us at Tom Clark Solutions. We have a lot to be thankful for as it was a year of success, expansion and a change in scenery.
We had a very successful 2023 Legislative session for our clients.
If you haven’t heard, Shelly Capurro joined the firm. She is an amazing person, lobbyist and a wonderful addition to our team.
Paul Young was appointed by Governor Joe Lombardo to serve on the Nevada Wildlife Commission
Zoë Houghton was promoted to Government Affairs Manager and joined the Northern Nevada International Center Board of Directors.
Seth Mueller joined the firm as an intern.
I was excited to move the office from “The Bunker” to a great office on the third floor of a very cool building at 241 Ridge Street in Reno (Thank you Par Tolles). Once prepared for the apocalypse, now we can see Mt. Rose and Downtown Reno. The office is new to us but as it goes in Nevada, Advisor Keith Lee practiced law from the exact same space “Back in the Day.” When you see Keith, ask him to tell you the story.
We hope to announce our Carson City office soon too!
The Bunker is an awesome office for 2-3 people. If you’re looking to move up or off the couch, let me know.
What can you expect from the Roundup in 2024?
The craziest election season we’ve seen in some time. Interim Legislative Committees are underway; fundraising is at a fever pitch as candidates prepare to file for office. We’ll know the playing field on the Ides of March. Beware!
Thank you to everyone that takes a minute to read our rants. If you have thoughts on how we can improve, please let me know.
Be well,
Tom
Important Dates
| Candidate Filing Opens | March 4 |
| Candidate Filing Closes | March 15 |
| Primary Election | June 11 |
| General Election | November 5 |
2024 ELECTION
The Nevada Secretary of State has created this useful Facts vs Myths infographic to help combat the misinformation surrounding the election in Nevada.
Secretary of State apologizes for voter record glitch after Nevada’s presidential primary
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar apologized for a computer glitch that caused some online voting records to show incorrect information about voters’ participation in the presidential primary.
The glitch did not affect the vote tabulation or compromise any personal data, but it created confusion and mistrust among some voters who saw “Mail Ballot Counted” when they did not vote by mail.
The glitch was caused by a discrepancy in how the state voter database interpreted data sent from individual counties, which use different voter registration systems. Aguilar said the state is working on a new centralized voter registration system that will prevent such errors in the future and improve the accuracy and security of the voter data. The first phase of the new system is expected to go live on April 1, before the June 2024 election, and efforts to further modernize and centralize the system are scheduled to go live in 2025.
ICYMI
First lady Jill Biden to visit Las Vegas on Saturday
First Lady Jill Biden will visit Las Vegas on Saturday as part of a weekend-long tour to engage women voters in swing states. She is launching a “Women for Biden-Harris” campaign Friday — coinciding with the beginning of Women’s History Month — with plans to barnstorm Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin. In Las Vegas, she plans to meet with women volunteers and discuss the stakes of the election, including health care. “Women put Joe in the White House four years ago, and women will do it again,” Jill Biden said in a statement.
Las Vegas’ first state-regulated cannabis lounge opens
Nevada’s first regulated cannabis consumption lounge has opened its doors in Las Vegas. The venue, Smoke and Mirrors, celebrated its grand opening on Friday, February 23, with the inaugural purchase made at 4:20 p.m. by Clark County Commission Chairman and longtime cannabis advocate Tick Segerblom. Smoke and Mirrors says it features “premium strains, hand-crafted infused cocktails and an electric social atmosphere.”
EDUCATION
Clark County School Board approves Jara’s resignation, $250K buyout
In a 5 – 2 vote last week, the Clark County School Board accepted Superintendent Jesus Jara’s resignation terms, which include a $250,000 lump sum payment, after he announced his intention to leave his post. His last day was on February 23. The board also selected Deputy Superintendent Brenda Larsen-Mitchell to serve as interim superintendent while it looks to conduct a search for a permanent replacement for Jara.
Washoe County School Board outlines superintendent search
The Washoe County School District established key dates for their superintendent search during their meeting this week. On Tuesday, trustees approved a timeline for the process. On or around April 15th, the superintendent finalists will be announced. Subsequently, the month will be dedicated to meetings where these candidates will engage with school district leaders and the public. Trustees plan to deliberate and potentially make a decision on the selected candidate during the May 14th meeting. Dr. Kristen McNeil has been serving as the interim superintendent for the past few months after Dr. Susan Enfield’s resignation.
ENERGY
Las Vegas awarded nearly $580K for solar arrays on city property
The City of Las Vegas has been awarded more than $580,000 in grants for solar projects, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday. The city will use it to install solar arrays at two fire stations, the Las Vegas Municipal Court and Civic Plaza. The $165 million Civic Plaza, which will include government buildings and private businesses, is set to be completed by spring 2025. The solar arrays will generate up to 400 kilowatt hours of electricity annually — enough to power about 400 houses each year — and will contribute to the city’s 2050 Master Plan by reducing the city’s energy costs and emissions.
GAMING
IGT presence returning to Las Vegas through a $6.2B merger
Today, slot machine giant International Game Technology (IGT) announced a $6.2 billion merger deal with Las Vegas-based Everi Holdings. Under the terms of the deal announced Thursday morning, IGT’s slot machine division and its digital gaming operations will be spun off from the lottery business into a separate public company. The new company will be headquartered in Las Vegas and use the historic IGT name. The transaction is expected to close either later this year or in early 2025.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Sterling Announces $78 Million in Major Nevada Highway Project Awards
This week, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced that its Road and Highway Builders, LLC (RHB) subsidiary has been awarded two highway projects totaling $78 million by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT).
The $49 million NDOT 3996 Lohantan project involves 17 miles of highway widening and reconstruction, new bridge construction, and new drainage systems. RHB will operate a portable asphalt plant and aggregate crushing plant on site. The project will begin in late February and is expected to be completed in 2024.
The $29 million NDOT 4501 Tonopah project involves 15 miles of highway widening and reconstruction and new water and sewer facilities for the town of Tonopah. RHB will operate a portable asphalt plant and aggregate crushing plant on site. The project is slated to begin in March and is expected to be completed in 2024.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Nevada hosting 2024 National Outdoor Recreation Conference
In May 2024, the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals will hold its national conference in Stateline, Nevada at the new Tahoe Blue Events Center, offering opportunities to learn and network in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe. With the theme of “Stewarding People, Place, and Play,” this year’s conference offers a program that is intended to inspire, challenge, and empower the broad community of outdoor recreation professionals.