Opening remarks
I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer! It’s been thrilling to watch the Olympics, especially seeing so many talented Nevadans compete. Go Team USA!
Here are some exciting updates from our team:
As the legislative interim winds down, the preparation for the 2025 session ramps up. The website for the 2025 Session is live, Bill Draft Requests are due by September 1st, and interim committees are hosting their final meetings in the coming weeks. Only 179 days until the first day of Session!
-Tom
Important Dates
| Early Voting begins | October 19 |
| General Election | November 5 |
| 2025 Legislative Session | February 3 |
ICYMI
Nevada Supreme Court reverses marijuana scheduling decision
Opinion | This enigmatic state may be the key to Senate control - The Washington Post (Or as Jon Ralston would say, #WeMatter!)
2024 ELECTION
Cook Political Report shifts Arizona, Georgia, Nevada toward Harris
All three states had been considered “lean Republican” in early July, while President Biden was still in the race and falling further behind Trump both on the national level and in the key battleground states. But with polls showing Harris getting back within the margin of error of Trump, or in some cases slightly ahead, the three swing states have been moved to be a “Toss Up.”
In first Nevada trip, Vance says Harris ‘owns every failure’ of Biden admin
Last week, U.S. Senator. J.D. Vance made his first visit to Nevada since becoming the Republican nominee for vice president. He gave speeches in Henderson, joined by U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown, and in Reno, focusing on criticizing Vice President Harris and the Biden administration on immigration policy and inflation. With Nevada being one of the key battleground states in the nation, his visit comes on the cusp of national surveys showing Harris making gains among younger voters and minority groups, and a recent Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll released showing Harris leading Trump by 2 percent in Nevada.
Hospitality workers' union endorses Harris, dismissing Trump's pledge of tax-free tips
The hospitality workers' union UNITE HERE has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, a rejoinder to Republican Donald Trump's effort to woo restaurant and hotel workers by promising to make their tips tax-free at a June 9 rally in Nevada. The endorsement includes a commitment by the union to have its members knock on more than 3.3 million doors for Harris in swing states that include Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina.
Indy Explains: How would Question 1 on Nevada’s 2024 ballot affect the Board of Regents
If at first you don't succeed, try try again...
Question 5: Nevadans to vote on exempting diapers from sales tax
Nevadans this year will have the opportunity to exempt diapers from sales tax. If voters pass Question 5 — the Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers Measure, as it is formally known — this November, child and adult diapers will be exempt from sales tax beginning Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2050.
EDUCATION
The Clark County School District (CCSD) will use new, more sensitive weapon detection systems this upcoming academic year at large scale, high school athletic events and for random screenings at middle schools and high schools. CCSD has 43 new weapon detection systems, one for every high school that has a stadium and cost the district $3.7 million. According to the district's firearms confiscation report, they confiscated about 300 weapons — 224 from students — on and off campus including handguns, air guns and knives last school year, though no firearms from any major sporting events.
In addition to these new policies, district officials reiterated previously announced policies on ID badge requirements and signal-blocking pouches for cellphones that will be in place for all middle schools and high schools.
ENVIRONMENT
Governor releases "Nevada's Climate Innovation Plan"
Governor Joe Lombardo's administration has released a new state climate plan, "Nevada’s Climate Innovation Plan," focusing on energy production and economic development. The plan aims to harness clean energy, improve energy efficiency, and foster economic growth, positioning Nevada as a leader in climate solutions. However, it has faced criticism for lacking specific objectives, actionable steps, and timelines. Critics argue that the plan is more of a summary of past achievements rather than a forward-looking strategy. The plan emphasizes collaboration between government, businesses, and communities, and calls out the federal government for limiting economic opportunities in Nevada.
GAMING
Joining the effort: Cortez Masto introduces bill to kill sports wagering tax
Last week, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) introduced legislation that would exempt legal sportsbook operators from paying the tax established in 1951 by the IRS and often referred to as the handle tax. The tax covers 0.25 percent of any legal sports wager, with sportsbooks also paying a $50 annual head tax for every sportsbook employee. The tax is applied to wagers, not the revenue, unlike other excise taxes. This legislation mirrors a similar measure from Rep. Titus that she first introduced in 2014 and is supported by the gaming industry. Though Nevada was the only state with legal sportsbooks in place when the tax was implemented, sports betting is now legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., with active legislation or ballot initiatives to legalize the activity in two additional states.