Weekly Newsletter

The Governor’s Office had another busy week serving Nevadans. We celebrated International Walk to School Day, Energy Efficiency Day, and “Get Your Blue on Day” as part of Week of Respect. This week was Malnutrition Awareness Week and Fire Prevention Week.  
 
We are continuing the implementation of new Emergency Directives from last week that relate to increased gathering sizes and the loosening of restrictions on certain youth and adult sports. As I mentioned last week, this was a big step forward, and it’s a result of all of the collective hard work of Nevadans throughout this pandemic. The only way we protect our economy and make progress is to continue to adhere to the basic principles of social distancing, wearing facial coverings and practicing good hygiene. 
 
As you may be aware, on Tuesday of this week, someone in my office based in Northern Nevada tested positive for COVID-19 after developing symptoms last weekend.  I have not had in-person contact with this member of my team since mid-September, but sought a COVID-19 test out of an abundance of caution. My test result came back negative. We are wishing our team member a full and speedy recovery. 
 
The Office has followed all public health procedures and protocols in response. The staffer has been interviewed and the contact tracing effort is ongoing to ensure all close contacts are notified and informed of next steps in accordance with public health guidelines. Any staff members who were in the Capitol office are currently in quarantine for the full fourteen day period.

- Governor Steve Sisolak

This Week

This week, I was happy to join the Rebel Advocates Fall Virtual Luncheon. I was able to thank UNLV and its public health experts that have worked closely with my team to identify best practices and guidelines to mitigate the spread of this deadly virus.  In July, $3.4 million was awarded to the UNLV School of Public Health to expand contact tracing with the Southern Nevada Health District in Clark County. 

Thank You, Rebels!  

Congratulations on celebrating the 20th Binacional Health Week!

I was pleased to join the Consul of Mexico in Las Vegas, Julian Escutia-Rodriguez, and R.E.A.C.H to celebrate the Twentieth Binacional Health Week and remind Nevadans of the importance of a flu shot this year. I’m so proud of all the organizations who are providing free flu shots to protect Nevadans this year while we continue to fight COVID-19. 

Governor's Office of Economic Development Update

DMV Update

No DMV Services Available in Reno October 26-30

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles plans to permanently close its office on Galletti Way on October 23. As a result, there will be no DMV services available in Reno October 26-30, as everything is moved over to its new office in south Reno. During this time, the DMV asks everyone to utilize their online services, kiosk, and AAA office locations. 

Registration renewals are available as well at dmvnv.com, along with many other services like personalized plate ordering, address changes, movement permits, driver history, and more.

The new building, located at 9155 Double Diamond Parkway, will open on November 2. It has three kiosks outside to help expedite the customers’ experience, including the first drive-through kiosk in the nation and 42,000 square feet of space. It also features a stand-alone emissions/commercial driver license (CDL) facility. Parking spaces will increase from 120 to 550 and customer service windows from 36 to 53.

Appointments that have already been booked for November 2 and beyond will transfer to the new facility. Customers should cancel their appointment if they will not be able to keep it.

The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Motor Carrier offices at 810 Greg St. in Sparks will also close permanently on October 16 and open at the new location October 19. These services are housed in a separate building on the property with an address of 890 Trademark Dr.

To view the full press release, click here. 

DMV to Expand New Resident Services
Agency adds early morning weekday hours and extended Saturday services

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles is temporarily expanding the special hours it offers to new Nevada residents, who have been able to make appointments for Saturday services since September 12.

The DMV offices in Henderson, Las Vegas and Reno will now accept new residents on a walk-in basis from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Customers with existing Saturday appointments will be able to keep them.

This change will also allow new residents to obtain DMV identification so they can register for and vote in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 3.  Nevadans with a DMV-issued driver’s license, ID card or the Interim Document given out at application are eligible to register online through October 29 at www.RegisterToVoteNV.gov.  Nevada residents with a DMV-issued driver’s license, ID card or Interim Document may also register in person at a polling location during Nevada’s early vote period (October 17 – 30) and on election day (November 3). 

New residents must be transferring an out-of-state driver’s license or ID card to qualify for the special hours.  The New Resident webpage at dmvnv.com has the details on license and registration requirements.  Customers can have Vehicle Identification Number inspections completed in advance without an appointment.

To view the full press release, click here. 

Unemployment Update

Finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 7,941 in the week, up 416 claims, or 5.5%, compared to the previous week. Regular continued claims totaled 173,629 during week ending October 3, down 16,984 claims, or 8.9%, compared to the previous week. 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) initial claims totaled 9,439 in the week, down 1,759, or 15.7%, compared to the previous week. PUA continued claims totaled 94,559 during week ending October 3, a decline of 1,270, or 1.3 percent, from the previous week’s revised total. Weekly PUA continued claims are now reported by the benefit week claimed. This follows the reporting procedure for regular continued claims and allows us to understand the number of unemployed workers filing weekly for PUA benefits.

PUA Call Center Update

DETR continues working to address technical difficulties with the transfer of the phone lines.  

Claimants who receive a busy signal when calling 1-800-603-9681 are asked to try calling either 775-298-6007 or 702-329-6699. Callers should expect long wait times due to the higher than anticipated call volumes.

Claimants who are calling are advised that agents cannot resolve every issue immediately. They will be working with other staff to follow through and resolve your problem. Please note that claimants will not have to wait several weeks for a response; new staff have been assigned to follow up to resolve claims much more quickly.

Jenny Casselman named as DETR’s New Deputy Director 

Jenny Casselman was recently named as Deputy Director of the NevadaDepartment of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). Ms. Casselman’s official first day will be Monday, October 12th.

As deputy director for DETR, Ms. Casselman is charged with overseeing the department's workforce development initiatives in support of the state's demand-driven business occupations.  She has responsibility for ensuring quality delivery of the state's employment and training, and enforcement programs and has executive oversight of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, Employment Security and Vocational Rehabilitation Divisions, and the state’s  Research and Analysis Bureau.

Ms. Casselman brings more than 15 years of experience in management , finance, and strategic planning to increase efficiencies and strengthen service levels.  In addition, she has expertise in deploying programs, building  and implementing strong processes, and creating first-rate teams. 

To view the full press release, click here.

Official Documents Issued by the Governor

• Energy Efficiency Day 
• Walk to School Day
• Fire Prevention Week
• Malnutrition Awareness Week
• Week of Respect

COVID-19 Task Force Updates

The COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force met on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. The Task Force made adjustments to thresholds used to monitor Nevada's 17 counties for an elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Based on data and recommendations provided by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, the Task Force agreed to adjust the thresholds used to identify counties having an elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission. According to the State Biostastician, the change in the thresholds will help shift the State to a more sustainable new normal at this time.

Counties will continue to be measured against the same three criteria, looking at the average number of tests per day, the case rate of COVID-19 and the case rate paired with the test positivity rate. A county is flagged for elevated risk, if they meet two of three criteria.

Counties are measured against the average number of tests per day per 100,000 residents. Previously, counties were required to conducted an average of at least 150 tests per day. The Task Force agreed to adjust that threshold down to an average of 100 tests per day. 

The Task Force also agreed to increase the test positivity rate from 7 percent to 8 percent before flagging a county for having an elevated risk.

The two counties currently flagged for having an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission – Washoe County and Humboldt County – are still flagged under the new criteria, and no new counties were flagged this week based on the adjusted criteria.

• COVID-19 Task Force Assessments 
• COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report 
• Daily COVID Press Bulletins 
  
  

Nevada Places of Worship and Life-Rites Ceremonies 

This past weekend, I attended in-person Mass for the first time in more than six months. I am so proud of EVERYONE attending. All wore masks and followed all the COVID-19 protocols. Thank you!

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Nevadans will need to gradually adjust our lives to new circumstances and learn how to co-exist with the virus until such time when effective vaccines and
treatments become available.

As a reminder, the best tools we have to combat the spread of this virus remain the same: maintain safe social distancing, wear face coverings, and practice good hygiene. These new circumstances are especially important within our gathering places of worship and life-rites ceremonies. For rules and restrictions, click here. 

Boards & Commissions

This week, I was proud to announce 50 appointments made to State of Nevada boards, commissions, and agencies during the month of September. I have appointed hundreds of individuals since assuming office, and I encourage anyone who might be interested in serving Nevada and their community to review opportunities posted on the Governor’s WEBSITE, which is updated on an ongoing basis. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS?

The Governor makes appointments to three types of boards and commissions:

• Advisory - An advisory board, commission or council serves as a formal liaison between a state agency and the public, in addition to making recommendations on how to address specific issues.
• Regulatory Board - Regulatory boards are those that oversee the licensing, handle complaints, and enforce disciplinary actions of individuals or industries that fall within the jurisdiction of the board’s authority.
• Task Force - A task force is created for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective and goal.

If you are interested in serving, apply now! 

• Board Vacancies *Vacancies are updated once a month
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Boards and Commissions Application 

Coming up Next Week

• Coming Out Day (10/11/2020)
• Earth Science Week (10/11 - 10/17)

Stay up to date on the latest news from Governor Sisolak by following his social media accounts or by visiting his website.

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