Vote Nevada Supporters,

The Nevada Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is starting a study this week: Teacher Shortages and the Impact on Education Equity.  Our first panel is this Thursday and includes researchers and elected representatives. The meeting is on April 6, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, via Zoom.  The public is welcome to attend, so, you can Register here: t.ly/mcQq

Saturday’s Zoom meeting to read through the Governor’s priority legislation went long, so, I am going to record a shorter version to post later this week.  But there are three things the attendees discussed quite a bit, so, I would like to share those three things.

We compared the Governor’s bill that repeals the mandate for using restorative justice practices in public schools, AB330, with Assemblywoman Angie Taylor’s bill that also repeals the mandate for using restorative practices in public schools, AB285.  One major difference between the bills is the process for monitoring possible disproportional discipline. 

AB330 includes a process for collecting data and a supervisory role in monitoring that data for any signs of implicit bias. AB285 does not have parallel language.  We discussed this difference quite a bit and whether we need such language. 

When we reviewed SB405, which is the governor’s proposal to change current election laws, we discussed the proposed idea to create a new type of ID.  The bill proposes creating a voter identification card that uses a person’s status as a registered voter as proof of identity, not a birth certificate. 

In Nevada, if a person lacks a DMV driver’s license or ID, we verify their eligibility to vote through the person’s social security number and proof of residency.  So, we know a person’s identity because the person is registered to vote.  SB405 instructs the DMV to provide voters who cannot receive a driver’s license or DMV-issued ID due to lacking a birth certificate with a free voter ID card that includes the same information as a driver’s license or DMV-issued ID.

We wondered if this new type of state ID could then also be used to apply for social services.  All social services require a person to have an official ID to qualify for the services, so, anyone who lacks an ID is shut out from help.  Trying to access a birth certificate from another state can be quite burdensome, so, allowing someone to receive a state-issued ID that connects to a person’s social security number instead may remove a barrier to getting vulnerable populations services. 

The third thing we discussed in SB405 is that the bill replaces signature verification with number verification when counting mail-in ballots.  Instead of signing the outside of the mail-in ballot envelope, the voter writes their driver’s license or DMV-ID number, voter identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number under a flap so it cannot be seen by postal workers.  There were thousands of mail-in ballots that went uncounted in the 2022 primary and general elections due to missing or mismatched signatures, so, we discussed whether switching to a number would at least limit the number of ballots with mismatched signatures being thrown out. 

I will send out a full review of the bills later this week.

Here are: AB330, AB285, AB405

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

 Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Our viewing of “The Young Vote” with special guest producer/director Diane Robinson was fabulous, and the film is just phenomenal.   If you would like to view the film, please respond to this message by April 7^th.

We are heading into week 9 of the legislative session.  The next three deadlines are already driving the overall agenda.  Tuesday, April 4^th, is the day budgets must start to close for the state agencies.  All bills must pass out of their first committee by Friday, April 14^th.  And all bills must receive a vote on the floor of their first house by Tuesday, April 25^th.  Any bill that misses one of these deadlines is technically dead.

Of course, any of these deadlines can be postponed and individual bills can be granted deadline exceptions; but these options will get harder to exercise the closer we get to the constitutionally required end of the session, which is June 5^th.

You can see this week’s scheduled hearings for a wide range of bills and budgets here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Calendar/A/

Tomorrow, April 3^rd, the Carson City Democratic Men’s Committee is hosting Calen Evans, President of the Washoe Education Association, as their luncheon speaker.  Calen will be discussing education legislation and funding. You can participate on Zoom at 1:30 pm by emailing Rich Dunn for the link at richdunn as one word and then @aol.com.

On Wednesday, April 5^th, at 8 am, Hispanics in Politics is hosting four Latina leaders for this month’s breakfast.  Ruth Garcia Anderson (North Las Vegas City Council), Lorena Portillo (our new Clark County Registrar of Voters), Ramona Esparza (Leadership Institute of Nevada), and Dr. Silvia Lazos (UNLV Law Professor). You can read more about the event here: https://fb.me/e/NzNp6D9T

Thursday, April 6^th The Nevada Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will host a Zoom briefing on the Teacher and Professional Personnel Shortage in Nevada and its impact on Education Equity from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm  As soon as I have the Zoom link for the public to attend, I will send it.

Friday, April 7^th, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, hosted by Indivisible Northern Nevada:   

WHAT: Rally to Pass the Freedom to Vote Act https://dfadcoalition.org/       

WHERE: Rep. Amodei’s Congressional Office in Reno | lawn facing Kietzke Lane 

WHEN: Friday, April 7th, 11:30AM – 12:30PM                                                         

REGISTER HERE: https://mobilize.us/s/CfddiY

You still have time to RSVP for tonight’s review of the Governor’s legislative priority bills, we will start at 6 pm on Zoom. RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/Review-Governor-Bills 

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

A lot is happening in real-time this week, so, we need a mid-week update.

Today, at a press conference, Governor Lombardo’s Chief of Staff Ben Kieckhefer released the document below that summarizes the Governor’s legislative agenda.  A link to each bill is also below.  Again, we need to ensure we are all discussing the same facts, so, knowing what each bill includes is important.

Governor Lombardo’s Legislative Priorities

AB330

AB400

AB412

SB10

SB405

SB431

The bills are long and include a lot, so, I am scheduling a Vote Nevada meeting on Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 6 to 7:30 pm, via Zoom, to review the Governor’s six bills.   You can RSVP to join me here: https://vote-nevada.news/Review-Governor-Bills

Also, here are some bills that have been added to tomorrow and Friday:

1:00 PM

SB278 Provides tax credits for businesses that provide childcare services support.

Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development

Agenda

• Room 2149 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4412 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

SB278

1:30 PM

AB241 Requires students to be automatically enrolled in the college prep diploma program with the option of parents opting their child out.

Assembly Committee on Education

Agenda

• Room 3138 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB241

3:30 PM

SB216 and SB327 both address voting on our Native American reservations.

Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections

Agenda

• Room 2149 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.

SB216, SB327

Friday, March 31, 2023

9:00 AM

AB305 Ensures women are hired at a certain percentage for vertical public works construction projects.

Assembly Committee on Government Affairs

Agenda¹

• Room 4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB305

Lastly, there is still time to RSVP for our Saturday viewing, from 3 to 5 pm, of The Young Vote: https://vote-nevada.news/The-Young-Vote-Viewing

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

 Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Saturday, April 1^st, the Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators is hosting Dr. Kyle Rogers who will discuss Discipline Practices in the Clark County School District, starting at 1 pm via Zoom. You can RSVP here: t.ly/ki6O

Saturday, April 1^st, Vote Nevada is hosting a special movie viewing from 3 to 5 pm, via Zoom.  We are watching the new indie movie called The Young Vote and the film producer, Diane Robinson, is our special guest.  You can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/The-Young-Vote-Viewing

Monday, March 27, 2023, is scheduled to be the cutoff for accepting new bills from legislators.  The legislature can move the deadline again, so, we will see what happens.

You can view this week’s upcoming legislative calendar as well as view committee and bill information here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023

You can view past Vote Nevada Updates here: https://vote-nevada-blog.org/

There was an 8-hour hearing yesterday with the Joint Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee.  The Committee heard from the 17 county school superintendents on proposed funding for K12 education.  Again, this recording is a primary source to build the foundation for analyzing the facts related to proposed K12 funding.

You can review the hearing here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Meeting/11865?p=1011865

Of course, we also need to keep in mind that school funding does not encompass all the behavioral health services needed to ensure children and their families have the tools to address issues that happen outside of the school.   We must pair the two together.

Here are some of this week’s important hearings:

Monday, March 27, 2023

1:00 PM

AB47: Presentation on Background and Findings of the Commission on School Funding

Senate Committee on Education

Agenda

• Room 2134 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4412 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

SB47

Friday, March 31, 2023

4:00 PM

This hearing is a continuation of the presentation by the school districts on funding for K12.

Joint Meeting of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance

Agenda¹

• Room 4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Some very important legislative hearings related to education policy happened over the last week.  The topics covered, school policing and restorative justice, are very serious, and because the topics are politically sensitive, a lot of misinformation is already circulating.  As a historian, my strategy for determining the truth from partisan spin is to examine primary sources, so, here are the hearing links.

Background: In the 2019 legislative session Assembly Bill 168 proposed to replace progressive discipline with restorative justice practices. That bill passed and was meant to provide wraparound services for students and their families when students acted out.  You can watch the AB168 hearings below if you would like to hear exactly what was said and intended: 

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Bill/6255/Overview

Everyone now agrees that the wraparound services were not and have not been funded, but there are divergent views on what we should do to address the post-pandemic rise in school violence.

Here is a presentation from last week in the Assembly Education Committee on a bill that proposes changes to AB168 by removing the restorative justice requirement.  You can read the bill, AB285, and watch the hearing here: 

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Meeting/11871?p=1011871

Today the Governor submitted a bill to address the debate over restorative justice with AB330, which also repeals restorative justice.  You can read the bill and watch the hearing here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Bill/10198/Meetings

A third hearing related to school violence happened yesterday at a joint meeting of the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Judiciary Committee.  This was a special hearing with CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara and Captain of CCSD Policy Henry Blackeye. 

While the committee did show the video of the incident that recently happened at Durango High School, the majority of the hearing is a discussion of CCSD policing policies and administrative processes for dealing with complaints of excessive use of force.  You can watch the hearing here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Meeting/11865?p=1011865

If we hope to solve these very serious issues, we all should view the evidence.  While we may disagree about interpretations of the evidence, we all need to understand the same facts free from partisan spin.

Also, the Represent Women Democracy Solution Summit from two weeks ago now has recordings available you can watch by scrolling to the middle of this page: https://www.representwomen.org/democracy_solutions_summit

Lastly, please RSVP to join Vote Nevada for a screening of The Young Vote with special guest Diane Robinson, the film’s producer, on April 1^st, from 3 to 5 pm, via Zoom.  You can RSVP here: t.ly/sbCJ

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

We’ve made it to week 7 in the legislature and we have our first hard deadline tomorrow, March 20^th.  Legislators’ bills must be submitted in a floor session to still be viable, with the caveat that leadership still has time to submit their bills until March 27^th, and they can grant some exemptions.  The next big deadline is April 14, when bills must be passed by the first committees.

Reminder: You can track bills, committees, and calendars on NELIS here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023

There was one hearing that was particularly important last week, it was the March 16^th Assembly Education Committee meeting. The topic was the restorative justice bill passed in 2019.  I recommend watching the hearing, which you can do here.  Click on View to watch the recording. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Meeting/11871  

Before I run down the week’s legislative hearings, here are some upcoming events:

There is no Carson City Democratic Men’s Club luncheon tomorrow.

Tuesday, March 21^st, from 12 to 2 pm, Chase Bank 200 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 3^rd Act: National Day of Climate Action: Cleaning Up Dirty Banks.  You can receive more information here: t.ly/vkB6

Wednesday, March 22nd, Vote Nevada is co-hosting a candidate forum for the Henderson Ward 1 special election. If you live in Ward 1 and would like to attend, the forum is from 6 to 7 pm, at the Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway, 89105.

Wednesday, March 22^nd, the ACLU NV is hosting a Zoom meeting on Education and Policing, from 6 to 7:30 pm. You can receive more information here: https://fb.me/e/1lgwsV9r1

Saturday, March 25^th, is the Reno’s Women’s March starting at 12:30 pm, you can find more information here: https://fb.me/e/SGLLOM85

Saturday, March 25^th, is Genderfest 2023 in Las Vegas from 9 am to 5 pm, you can find more information here: https://fb.me/e/3SN2Bf9m1

Saturday, April 1^st, the Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators is hosting Dr. Kyle Rogers who will discuss Discipline Practices in the Clark County School District, starting at 1 pm via Zoom. You can RSVP here: t.ly/ki6O

Saturday, April 1^st, Vote Nevada is hosting a special movie viewing from 3 to 5 pm, via Zoom.  We are watching the new indie movie called The Young Vote and the film producer, Diane Robinson, is our special guest.  You can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/The-Young-Vote-Viewing

For this week, here are some important bill hearings I will be watching:

Monday, March 20, 2023

9:00 AM

AB292 Addresses deplorable conditions for women who are incarcerated in Nevada.

Assembly Committee on Judiciary

Agenda

• Room 3138 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.

AB292

1:30 PM

 AB135 Makes it much easier for a homeless person to obtain a certified birth certificate if the person was born in Nevada and to receive a free DMV-issued identification card. Applying for social services requires a valid ID. 

AB237 Authorizes Medicaid to negotiate in good faith with school-based healthcare centers to provide services for individuals covered by Medicaid.

Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services

Agenda

• Room 3138 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB135,  AB237

 Tuesday, March 21, 2023

1:30 PM

AB212 Instructs the Nevada System of Higher Education to no longer withhold transcripts needed to transfer to complete a degree or apply for a job if a student has scho

 Tuesday, March 21, 2023

1:30 PM

AB212 Instructs the Nevada System of Higher Education to no longer withhold transcripts needed to transfer to complete a degree or apply for a job if a student has school-related debt.  NSHE representatives testified that students will now be placed on a payment plan instead.

WS means a work session, so the committee will vote on whether the bill should advance to a full vote of the house. There is no public comment period for a work session.  

Assembly Committee on Education

Agenda

• Room 3138 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB212 (WS)

 Wednesday, March 22, 2023

1:30 PM

AB259 Ensures that Nevadans with disabilities cannot be paid less than the minimum wage.

Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services

Agenda

• Room 3138 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB259

Saturday, March 25, 2023

We have our first Saturday hearing.  The Joint Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee will hear presentations from our K12 superintendents on funding recommendations.

9:00 AM

Joint Meeting of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance

Agenda

• Room 4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

We are heading into week 6 of the legislative session, so, deadlines are on the horizon.  Legislator bills must be introduced by March 20^th and bills must be heard and referred to the house of origin’s floor by April 14^th.  You can see the full calendar on NELIS https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023  (under the Floor Sessions calendar) or here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/82nd2023/Docs/120-day_calendar.pdf

If a bill misses a deadline and hasn’t been granted an exemption, it is technically dead.

Here are some important bills:

AB212 instruction NSHE to not withhold official transcripts from students who owe at least $100.  Students request official transcripts when they are transferring to a new school or applying for a job, so when they are trying to finish their degree or get a job.

Currently, NSHE institutions refuse to release official transcripts if a student owes more than $100.  By blocking students from finishing a degree or from getting employment, NSHE is blocking students from accessing the funds they need to pay their debts.  This is illogical and should end; yes, collect the debt, but not this way.

Tuesday, March 14th at 1:30 PM

Assembly Bill 212: Instructs the Nevada System of Higher Education to not withhold official student transcripts from students due to owing a debt of at least $100.

Assembly Committee on Education

Agenda

• Room 3138 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4401 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.
• AB212

AB37 was scheduled for a hearing last Tuesday, but it was pushed back to this upcoming Tuesday.  AB37 is the behavioral and mental health workforce center bill.  This center will be housed at UNLV, which will coordinate with the other NSHE institutions.  We need this bill to pass if we hope to address our severe shortages of behavioral and mental health providers.

Tuesday, March 14th at 4:00 PM

Assembly Committee on Revenue

Agenda

• Room 4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4406 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.
• AB37

Some upcoming events:

There is no Carson City Democratic Men’s Committee luncheon tomorrow.

Thursday, March 16^th, at 4:00 pm, via Zoom, the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement is hosting an “Ask the Expert” on the history of the national Equal Rights Amendment.  You can RSVP here: t.ly/U68A  Read more here: https://nvcce.org/asktheexpert

Saturday, March 18^th, at 12:30 pm, NAACP Las Vegas Branch membership meeting, Pearson Community Center, 1625 West Carey Ave, North Las Vegas, 89032.

Tuesday, March 21^st, from 12 to 2 pm, Chase Bank 200 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV, 3^rd Act: National Day of Climate Action: Cleaning Up Dirty Banks.  You can receive more information here: t.ly/vkB6

Wednesday, March 22^nd, from 6 to 7:30 pm, via Zoom, the ACLU NV is hosting a webinar on Education and Policing.  You can log in on the day of the event here: HTTP://BHFS.Zoom.US/J/96549080164    

Saturday, March 25^th, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, Reno Women’s March. You can find more information here: https://northernnevadamarchesforward.org/reno-womens-march/

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

The Nevada State Democratic Party conducted its officer elections yesterday and I served as the ad hoc Election Chair.  I have worked with members of the Republican Party who attended the Nevada Republican State Party officer elections as well.  Based on those experiences, I strongly support addressing Nevada’s toxic political culture. The problem is more than the negative political ads each election cycle and it is not enough to have an anti-bullying policy.

We need frank discussions about how our two main political parties not only treat each other but also how they treat their own members.  I plan to create opportunities for frank discussions as well as offer workshops this summer on civil conflict management and resolution; possibly with the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at UNLV. https://law.unlv.edu/saltman-center

There are better ways of practicing politics.  Please take time to listen to Congresswoman Mary Peltola explain how her indigenous culture informs her approach to politics that rejects negativity:

https://vote-nevada.news/Mary-Peltola-Webinar-Recording

 Vote Nevada hosted a Know Your Rights Zoom meeting with Rogelio Colon from the EECO and Athar Haseebullah from the ACLU NV on Friday.  Rogelio provided an in-depth explanation of what the EEOC can do as well as the steps to take when filing an EEOC complaint. While Athar spoke about our new Equal Rights Amendment and how we implement a new part of our state constitution.  You can watch the recording here: https://vote-nevada.news/EEOC-ACLUNV-Know-Your-Rights

Tomorrow, the Carson City Democratic Men’s Committee luncheon is featuring Karen Gedney MD, author of 30 Years Behind Bars: Trials of a Prison Doctor. Dr. Gedney is an internal medicine specialist who spent almost three decades as a physician in Nevada’s correctional system.  The event starts at 1:30 pm for anyone who would like to Zoom in; you can request the Zoom link by emailing Rich Dunn at richdunn as one word and then @aol.com.

Tomorrow also begins week 5 of our legislative session.  I am working with a large coalition that supports AB195, which has a hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 1:30 pm.

1:30 PM

Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure

Agenda

• Room 3143 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4406 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB195

We know a major barrier for formerly incarcerated Nevadans integrating back into society is the lack of a government-issued driver’s license when trying to access supportive services.  AB195 will waive the driver’s test fee as well as the fee for a driver’s license for all formerly incarcerated Nevadans who apply within one year of release.  These vulnerable Nevadans need this bill to pass.

I am working with the Disability Community this legislative session, so, I will be in Carson City Tuesday to help prepare for Developmental Disability Day at the legislature on Wednesday, March 8^th.  The disability community is interested in AB195 because they also face barriers to living fully integrated lives due to not having a “valid” ID.  AB195 does not include providing free IDs for disabled Nevadans, but the hearing offers an opportunity to lift up the disability communities’ needs in a public space.

I hope one day the issue of needing an ID will be decoupled from the partisan debate over voter ID.  Marginalized Nevadans need help getting a valid ID to access supportive services.  We must help these Nevadans.

Reminders:

On March 8^th, at 5:00 pm, via Zoom, Northern Nevada Indivisible is hosting an event: OUR FRAUGHT ELECTIONS, with Jamie Rodriguez, Washoe County Registrar of Voters. Ms. Rodriquez will review her plans for the 2024 election.  RSVP: t.ly/-lFK

Ms. Rodriguez is working to improve internal procedures and training, and she also has plans to form a group of outsiders to provide input on how to improve the process in Washoe County.

It is vital that we work with our election administrators.  We need as many solutions as possible to ensure mail-in ballots go to voters as smoothly as possible and to ensure we reduce the number of ballots that go uncounted due to uncured voter errors on mail-in ballots.  6,000 uncounted mail-in ballots in the general election is just too high.  (Reference: t.ly/iTlx1)

Represent Women is hosting a Democracy Solutions Summit on March 7, 8, and 9^th, via Zoom.  Here is the description:

Our second annual virtual Democracy Solutions Summit brings together experts and leaders in election administration, voting rights, and democracy reform who are working on innovative solutions that upgrade and strengthen our democracy. Women experts will discuss a range of critical issues related to fair access, fair elections, and fair representation. Experts will focus on viable, scalable, and transformative solutions to build a 21st century democracy that reflects today’s needs and values.

Each day’s sessions run from 3-5 pm ET.

Day 1: Fair Access – Ensuring ballot access for voters and candidates
Day 2: Fair Elections – Upgrading US Presidential Elections
Day 3: Fair Representation – Ranked Choice Voting and the Fair Representation Act

You can register here: t.ly/rguc

On March 10^th, from 9 to 10:30 am, via Zoom the College of Southern Nevada Women’s Alliance is hosting Women’s Hidden Diseases to discuss equity in health care.  You can RSVP here: t.ly/jAecs

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

The legislature came back into session yesterday after being shut down due to inclement weather.  Thankfully, our state representatives and employees are safe.  The legislature did not transition to remote hearings because legislators voted to remove rules that allowed legislators to participate remotely at the beginning of this session.  Legislative leaders feel time lost can be made up with a few evening sessions or possibly a Saturday session or two.

Some reminders:

Tomorrow, March 3rd, the College of Southern Nevada is hosting a Zoom meeting from 9 to 10:30 am with an EEOC representative and the Executive Director of the ACLU NV.  The topics will be knowing what rights the EEOC protects and options for enforcing our new Equal Rights Amendment in the Nevada Constitution.  You can RSVP here: t.ly/nv0s

On March 8^th, at 5:00 pm, via Zoom, Northern Nevada Indivisible is hosting an event: OUR FRAUGHT ELECTIONS, with Jamie Rodriguez, Washoe County Registrar of Voters. Ms. Rodriquez will review her plans for the 2024 election.  RSVP: t.ly/-lFK

Ms. Rodriguez is working to improve internal procedures and training, and she also has plans to form a group of outsiders to provide input on how to improve the process in Washoe County.

 It is vital that we work with our election administrators.  We need as many solutions as possible to ensure mail-in ballots go to voters as smoothly as possible and to ensure we reduce the number of ballots that go uncounted due to uncured voter errors on mail-in ballots.  6,000 uncounted mail-in ballots in the general election is just too high.  (Reference: t.ly/iTlx1)

 Represent Women is hosting a Democracy Solutions Summit on March 7, 8, and 9^th, via Zoom.  Here is the description:

Our second annual virtual Democracy Solutions Summit brings together experts and leaders in election administration, voting rights, and democracy reform who are working on innovative solutions that upgrade and strengthen our democracy. Women experts will discuss a range of critical issues related to fair access, fair elections, and fair representation. Experts will focus on viable, scalable, and transformative solutions to build a 21st century democracy that reflects today’s needs and values.

Each day’s sessions run from 3-5 pm ET.

Day 1: Fair Access – Ensuring ballot access for voters and candidates
Day 2: Fair Elections – Upgrading US Presidential Elections
Day 3: Fair Representation – Ranked Choice Voting and the Fair Representation Act

You can register here: t.ly/rguc

 On March 10^th, the College of Southern Nevada Women’s Alliance is hosting Women’s Hidden Diseases to discuss equity in health care.  You can RSVP here: t.ly/jAecs

 The National Constitution Center is celebrating Women’s History Month with a Live Virtual Event series.  You can RSVP on this page toward the bottom: https://constitutioncenter.org/calendar/womens-history-month-2023

This interview features Arizona’s new Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes: https://youtu.be/qYxdr-TulXM

This forum is from Up the Vote Virginia: The Impact of Ranked Choice Voting on Communities of Color: https://youtu.be/qTa7_-YAiH8

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Tomorrow starts week 4 of our legislative session. The beginning of the week looks like pretty bad weather in the Washoe Valley and Carson City, so, if you prefer to not provide in-person public comments, I have good news.

The rule created at the beginning of the session that anyone wishing to provide public comments over the phone had to email the committee 24 hours before a bill hearing is gone!  So, the meeting agenda now provide instructions for calling in public comments during the hearing.

Here is a list of events this week:

Monday, February 27, 2023, 1:30 pm

The Carson City Democratic Men’s Club is hosting Carson City Superintendent of Schools, Andrew Feuling. If you would like to join through Zoom, to receive the Zoom link email Rich Dunn at richdunn as one word and then @aol.com.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 4:00 pm

Vote Nevada is tracking bills related to mental and behavioral health and AB37 is at the top of that list.  We must address our severe shortages of mental and behavioral health providers.  Please consider providing public comments on this bill in person, in writing, or over the phone.  You can click on the agenda below to see information about providing public comments.

4:00 PM  AB37: Creates a Mental and Behavioral Health Workforce Center in higher education

Assembly Committee on Revenue

Agenda

• Room 4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4406 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

AB37

 Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 8:00 to 9:00 am (doors open at 7:30)  Dona Maria’s Restaurant 910 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 89101

Hispanics in Politics Monthly Breakfast: Celebrating Two Secretaries of State

Guests: Outgoing Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske and Current Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar

Friday, March 3, 2023, 9:00 to 10:30 am, via Zoom RSVP: t.ly/nv0s

Vote Nevada, ACLU NV, and the CSN Women’s Alliance Presents

Know Your Rights with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission & “We have an Equal Rights Amendment, now what?” with the ACLU NV Executive Director Athar Haseebullah.

Friday, March 3, 2023

1:00 PM

SB142: Homeless Persons Bill of Rights

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Agenda

• Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
• Videoconferenced to Room 4412E of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.

SB142

 Friday, March 10, 2023, 9:00 to 10:30 am, via Zoom RSVP t.ly/jAecs

Hidden Women’s Disease: Join the CSN Women’s Alliance as we discuss policy priorities for establishing women’s healthcare equity

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Facebook fundraisers.

Vote Nevada is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic engagement organization.  Anyone can become a supporter by emailing info@vote-nevada.org, we have no membership dues.  We do, however, accept donations Here