Vote Nevada Supporters,

Rich Dunn’s computer bit the dust, so, there will be no Carson City Democratic Luncheon tomorrow, June 12^th.  The luncheon will resume on June 19^th with Professor Fred Lokken.  Sorry for your computer loss, Rich.

I was hoping we’d have some news about what will happen when the legislature reconvenes in the special session tomorrow, June 12^th.  But so far, it’s still just drama and Twitter posts.  If I see anything official, I will post it on the Vote Nevada Facebook page and Twitter account:    https://www.facebook.com/VoteNevada21  https://twitter.com/VoteNevada21

Tomorrow, we’ll be discussing Assembly Bill 528, which is based on the San Antonio Haven of Hope model for delivering homelessness services. 

Here are the requirements for receiving services at the Haven of Hope Campus, which concerns me because most homeless people with mental illness will not have these documents and will not have a government-issued ID.  

We need to get out in front of this project to ensure that Nevadans with mental illness are not excluded from services.

We are meeting, on June 12^th, from 6 to 7 pm, via Zoom, you can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/AB528-Addressing-Chronic-Homelessness

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Smith’s Inspiring Donations, you can read more about how to donate to Vote Nevada each time you use your Smith’s loyalty card here: https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/i/community/smiths-inspiring-donations

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

Sondra

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Thank you to everyone who attended our Legislative Roundup this morning.  We reviewed legislative vocabulary, talked about the three actions the Governor can take on bills, and discussed how to find individual bills and categories of bills. 

For the last 1/3 of the meeting, we discussed how to start working now to pass bills that died this session in the 2025 legislative session.  You can watch the recording here: https://vote-nevada.news/Legislative-Roundup-Recording

I will send out a separate email tomorrow with Monday’s Carson City Democrats luncheon speaker and information about the special session.

On Monday, June 12, 2023, from 6 to 7 pm, we will discuss Assembly Bill 528, which passed. This is the bill that dedicates $200 million to addressing homelessness based on the San Antonio Haven of Hope model.  You can see the San Antonio campus here: https://www.havenforhope.org/

Vote Nevada is especially concerned about chronic homelessness and how the Haven of Hope model provides mental health services.  We know Nevada has a mental health provider shortage, so, we would like to know how this new program will help our homeless neighbors who need mental health services now.

You can RSVP for this discussion on June 12^th here: https://vote-nevada.news/AB528-Addressing-Chronic-Homelessness

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 9 to 10 am, we will be kicking off our Sports Equity project.  The WNBA is hosting the Women’s All Stars Game in Las Vegas on July 15^th, so we are planning to raise awareness about the issues of pay and media coverage parity between men’s and women’s sports between now and July 15^th. 

If you are interested in joining this effort, the Aces have games tomorrow, June 11^th, and Thursday, June 15^th, so we can start posting on social media during these two games.  

There are many reliable articles and stories online about pay inequities and the media providing less coverage of women’s sports and the connection between the two.  Posting these articles and stories online with the hashtags #PayParity #MediaParity and #ALLINLV will make this information viewable by WNBA and Aces fans.

Here is the Sports Equity strategic plan draft we will review and edit on June 17^th: https://vote-nevada.news/Womens-Sports-Equity-Strategic-Plan

You can RSVP for the Sports Equity planning session on June 17^th, 9 to 10 am, here: https://vote-nevada.news/Womens-Sports-Equity

On Saturday, June 17^th, 2023, from 4 to 5 pm, via Zoom, we will also discuss the American Disabilities Act and how to be an ally by encouraging public and private entities to bring their experiences, infrastructure, and materials into ADA compliance.  You can RSVP for this meeting here: https://vote-nevada.news/ADA-Compliance

If you are in Northern Nevada, Lucia Starbuck from KUNR is hosting another Pints and Purple Politics with Sec. of State Cisco Aguilar and Treasurer Zach Conine on June 14^th from 6 to 8 pm.  More information, including the free tickets, is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kunr-pints-and-purple-politics-secretary-of-state-treasurer-roundtable-tickets-638998109547?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Smith’s Inspiring Donations, you can read more about how to donate to Vote Nevada each time you use your Smith’s loyalty card here: https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/i/community/smiths-inspiring-donations

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

Sondra

The Governor signed AB140! Juneteenth is now a state holiday!

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Legislative Update:

The first special session started and ended on June 6^th.  The legislature passed the last remaining budget bill, for capital improvement projects, and the Governor signed the bill.  So, there are no further threats to the state budget.

The second special session started on June 7^th with only one item listed in the Governor’s proclamation: The A’s Stadium.

The Senate met as a committee of the whole (COW) yesterday to hear the stadium deal presentation and then Senators asked the presenters, Jeremy Aguero and Steve Hill, questions.  You can watch the Senate Committee of the Whole recording here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Video/

At the end of the Senate’s COW meeting, Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop stated that Senators would like to see amendments today to the stadium deal that address the issues Senators raised.  The floor sessions were supposed to start at 11:30 and 12:00 pm, but none of the special session meetings have started on time so far. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/35th2023Special

The Governor continues to review bills passed by the legislature; you can view the status of all passed bills here:  https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Nelis/REL/35th2023Special/Bills/Passed/InGovernorsOffice

The Vote Nevada Summer of Civics kicks off this Saturday, June 10th, via Zoom, from 9 to 10:30 am.  Our first event is the Legislative Roundup; we will review which bills passed, which bills died, and which bills did not receive a hearing.  You can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/Legislative-Roundup-2023

The next three Summer of Civics meetings are:

1. How will AB528, which passed, address the problem of chronic homelessness?  We know at least $200 million has now been pledged through AB528 to adopt the San Antonio Haven of Hope model for addressing homelessness, but what does that mean for the homeless who are resistant to housing?  Let’s discuss this on Monday, June 12^th, via Zoom, from 6 to 7:30 pm.

RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/AB528-Addressing-Chronic-Homelessness

2. How can we use civic engagement to address inequities in sports?  Women athletes and coaches are paid much less despite winning and the media’s lack of coverage of women’s sports keeps fans from supporting women athletes and coaches, what can we do?  Join us on Saturday, June 17^th, from 9 to 10:30 am, via Zoom, to start a strategic plan to address these issues. You can read the draft strategic plan here: https://vote-nevada.news/Womens-Sports-Equity-Strategic-Plan

RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/Womens-Sports-Equity

3. How can we ensure Nevadans with disabilities can access all spaces and materials that every other Nevadan can access?  Let’s discuss how we can spot a lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and file requests to bring something into ADA compliance.  Saturday, June 17^th, via Zoom, from 4 to 5 pm.

RSVP: https://vote-nevada.news/ADA-Compliance

Here is the calendar of all the Vote Nevada Summer of Civics Workshops if you’d like to RSVP for more events.

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Smith’s Inspiring Donations, you can read more about how to donate to Vote Nevada each time you use your Smith’s loyalty card here: https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/i/community/smiths-inspiring-donations

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

Sondra

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Monday, June 5, 2023, is the last day of the regular legislative session. Legislators have been in session all weekend to pass exempt and emergency bills out of committees, especially the money committees, and to the respective floors.  The rules have been suspended, so, there hasn’t been much notice before individual bills move from a committee to the floor.  Committees are also making decisions on the floors in what is called “behind the bar” sessions.  This whole process is awful from the perspective of community civic engagement. 

Once a bill has passed and is moved to the Governor’s office, the Governor must act on the bill 5 days after it arrives, not counting Sundays, if the legislature is in session.  If there are fewer than 5 days in the session or if the bill arrives in the Governor’s office after the last day of the session, the Governor has 10 days to act. 

The Governor has 3 options, he can sign a bill, he can veto a bill, or he can do nothing, in which case the bill automatically becomes a law.  Legislators must wait until the next legislative session to override any vetoes made after sine die. 

The Governor already vetoed one part of the budget called the Appropriations Act.  The Democratic majority has now submitted a new Appropriation Act, so, it is unclear whether this new version will be signed by Monday at midnight.  If the new Appropriation Act is signed the session will end with no special session.  If the new Appropriation Act is vetoed, we will have a special session to resolve the budget issues.

Seeing we once again have many bills going through the legislative session outside of a normal vetting process, after the session ends, we need to review the bills that passed to ensure we do not have implementation issues.

The first Vote Nevada Summer of Civics meeting will, therefore, be our Legislative Roundup on June 10^th, from 9 to 10:30 am, via Zoom.  We will review what passed, what died, and what never received a hearing.  You can RSVP here: https://vote-nevada.news/Legislative-Roundup-2023

One bill we need to start working on right now is AB528, which addresses homelessness in a more comprehensive way. The bill creates a hub and spokes model in each county, so we need community groups in each county who can provide feedback as sites are selected.  If you have connections to community organizations that are already working on housing, mental health, and job training, please let them know about AB528. If anyone needs help finding groups who can work on AB528, let me know and I will help you plug in.

You can watch the AB528 legislative hearing here: t.ly/3woA

I have scheduled a meeting to discuss chronic homelessness for Monday, June 12^th, from 6 to 7 pm, via Zoom, which specifically looks at the San Antonio model. You can RSVP here: t.ly/8iqh

Tomorrow, June 5^th, the Carson City Democratic luncheon speaker is the Carson City Library Director Joy Holt. https://www.carsonnow.org/reader-content/06/02/2023/carson-library-director-speak-mondays-democratic-luncheon

If you would like to Zoom into the event at 1:30 pm, please email Rich Dunn for the link at richdunn as one word and then @aol.com.

On June 17^th, we will kick off the other two major Summer of Civics projects, Sports Equity and ADA Compliance in Nevada.   If you would like to sign up for the Sports Equity Team, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/ZHnyDbQB4ofdNHAi9   

Our June 17^th Sports Equity kickoff meeting is via Zoom from 9 to 10 am, you can RSVP here: t.ly/mEYJ

If you are interested in joining the ADA Compliance Team, our first meeting is June 17^th, from 4 to 5 pm, via Zoom.  You can RSVP here: t.ly/ocW0

In case you missed this great panel of women from different states working to elect more women, here’s the link: https://vote-nevada.news/Electing-Women-RCV  

Thank you for being Nevadans with me,

Sondra

Vote Nevada: Solving Problems with Civics

Vote Nevada is now qualified to receive donations through Smith’s Inspiring Donations, you can read more about how to donate to Vote Nevada each time you use your Smith’s loyalty card here: https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/i/community/smiths-inspiring-donations

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

Sondra

Vote Nevada Supporters,

Here is an update on AB528:

Speaker Steve Yeager presented the bill with Mr. Jeremy Aguero.  The bill is based on San Antonio’s Haven for Hope model of social services: https://www.havenforhope.org/

The project requires the state, counties, municipalities, nonprofits, and the business community to all contribute to the effort.  Private partners will contribute $100,000,000 and the state, counties, and municipalities will split a matching $100,000,000.  No sites to provide services have been selected yet, but the Grant Sawyer property in Las Vegas was mentioned.

Many major gaming companies, such as Caesars, MGM, Boyd, Wynn, and Station Casinos all testified in support and stated their commitment to joining the partnership.  The Resort Authority, Vegas Chamber of Commerce, UNLV, and nonprofits such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) also spoke in support.

The legislation also includes opportunities for the public to be involved as the project moves forward.

I spoke in support and mentioned that our neighborhood chat groups discussed ensuring individuals with severe mental illness are taken care of as close to where they are as possible and we discussed using empty commercial properties for that purpose.

I added AB528 to my legislative tracking account to ensure we do not miss the work session and I will send today’s hearing recording as soon as it is posted to the legislative website.

Thank you all very much for your willingness to tackle big issues, it was really great to be able to mention in my public comments that many Nevadans are also actively trying to solve these types of big problems. 

Sondra

Vote Nevada Supporters, 

Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager introduced AB528 yesterday to create a program for addressing homelessness.  The program will have $100,000,000 to match funds pledged to address homelessness in the counties and municipalities. 

The bill includes provisions to support the construction or purchase of facilities to provide wraparound services to anyone experiencing or about to experience homelessness.  This includes behavioral health services.

This bill will allow nonprofits and business communities to participate.  It would allow us to do exactly what we have been discussing in our neighborhood chat sessions to address chronic homelessness. 

The bill is being heard this morning in Assembly Ways and Means at the Call of the Chair.

You can watch here: t.ly/ARuF

The bill is listed first on the agenda, though, so if you have time this morning, please call in to support the bill and thank the speaker for this very timely and responsive proposal. 

Here is the bill:  https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Bill/10628/Overview

Here is the call-in information:  To provide public comment or testimony, call (888) 475-4499. When prompted, provide the Meeting ID, enter 818 4941 9097 and then press # when prompted for a Participant ID.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the discussion around addressing homelessness!  The conversations have positioned us to provide informed public comments on this last-minute bill. 

Sondra