Government Affairs Report – October 2017
“ A man who carries the cat by tail learns something he can learn in no other way.” – Mark Twain
And we’re off… with no less than three recall petitions going on, to oust three legitimately elected Nevada state senators, the 2018 election season is well underway. While there is still much that is unknown about why these recall efforts started, the information which has been uncovered since our last update is enlightening.
At this point, no specific reason has been given for these petitions; however, as we learned recently, it’s not the shrouded mystery it was a month ago. Click here to read this Nevada Independent article. The petitioners and those going door-to-door to obtain signatures claim a mix of tax issues, met with correctional issues, met with general dissatisfaction are driving the recall. That said, the reality is the recall is driven by a need for the GOP to gain a majority in the Nevada Senate, and control upcoming redistricting efforts, which will sway voter registration figures in the party’s advantage. This is politics at its most guttural, and simply a function of working the system within the confines of the laws.
The interim musical chairs is not confined to recalls; Longtime Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Steve Hill announced he is taking the help of the LVCVA, former Assemblyman and Minority Leader Paul Anderson was appointed to take Hill’s place at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and Assemblyman and Co-Minority Leader Jim Wheeler officially took the helm as the new Assembly Minority Leader. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford announced his intention to run for Attorney General, and Assembly Co-Majority Leader Nelson Araujo announced his intent to run for Secretary of State. Together with intended gubernatorial bids from Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak, Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, and current Attorney General Adam Laxalt, congressional bids from Senator Scott Hammond and Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony, and Jacky Rosen’s bid for US Senate, you may be confused as to who is going where and why. This only gets more confusing when the phone starts ringing, and your inbox fills with solicitations for contributions; no worries – feel free to call us anytime, and we’ll walk you through it.
For your convenience, you may keep the following relevant dates for your reference:
March 5: The first date candidates may file. Those who “announce” before this date are free to change their minds at any time.
June 12: Primary Election Day
November 6: General Election Day
Odds & Ends
Although we like to inject a little humor or quirky bit in this section of the newsletter, given the tragedy of October 2, 2017, we struggled mightily to find humor. That said, we did want to advise you of something positive. In early September, NAIOP sent a letter of recommendation to City of Las Vegas officials advocating the permanent promotion of Kevin McOsker to Director of Building and Safety, filling the large shoes left by Chris Knight. While we have no immediate information as to whether Kevin will be chosen to fill the role, we have every understanding that he and City officials are working toward a common goal of better efficiency for the role and the person chosen to fill it.
Jon & Kerrie
Jonathan P. Leleu, Shareholder
Kerrie Kramer, Assistant Director
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
3773 Howard Hughes Parkway | #400 North | Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
Tel 702.599.8070 | Fax 702.925.2316
leleuj@gtlaw.com | kramerk@gtlaw.com | www.gtlaw.com
