Weekly Newsletter

 As many of you may know, on Friday, I underwent routine COVID-19 testing and a rapid test provided a positive result. A diagnostic PCR test taken at the same time has since returned a positive result also. I am in good spirits and have only experienced mild head congestion related to this diagnosis. I truly appreciate the outpouring of support and well wishes from Nevadans and those across the country who have taken time to check in on me. I again want to thank the health officials who assisted me through this process. They serve as a strong reminder of how proud we should all be of our State’s health workers. 

 
My focus remains on addressing the record surge the State is currently experiencing and my administration continues to work around the clock to serve Nevadans through this ongoing pandemic. 
 
Thank you - 

- Governor Steve Sisolak 

Last Week

Last week, I had the honor of issuing a proclamation recognizing November 11th as Veterans Day in honor of our Veterans that have served in our nation’s military.  Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize, honor and thank the men and women who have bravely served our country in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces – the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force.

Nevada has a rich history of and close ties to the Armed Forces, as nearly 250,000 Veterans, over 10,000 active duty service members, and more than 6,000 members of the National Guard and Reserves, and their families call the Silver State home. These Nevada Veterans have served during many different wars spanning generations, including World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and so many others while those in active duty continue to fight daily against the ongoing Global War on Terror. 

Veterans have shown that maintaining the nation’s and the State’s freedom is not without cost, commitment or risk. These fearless men and women in uniform have demonstrated time and time again, there is no threat we cannot meet and no challenge we cannot overcome. 

Click here to see Governor Sisolak’s remarks for Veterans day.

Staff Announcements 

I am happy to welcome on board  Madeline Burak and Vincent Nava to our team. Madeline Burak has joined as our new Director of Community Outreach & Constituent Affairs. Madeline Burak served as the Area Director for The American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Staff to City of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. This position was previously held by Francisco Morales, who served in the office since the Governor’s inauguration. 
 
Vincent Nava will be joining our team as our new Press Assistant. Prior to joining, Vincent Nava served as Program Coordinator for Community Engagement & Diversity Initiatives (CEDI) at Nevada State College and held multiple positions at NSC. As press assistant, he will work directly with the Governor’s communications director, expanding the Administration’s reach throughout the State, including into Nevada’s diverse communities.

Welcome!

Appointment of J. Brin Gibson to the Nevada Gaming Control Board

It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of J. Brin Gibson to the Gaming Control Board and designated him to serve as the new chair and executive director.  

Gibson’s appointment will be effective November 18. Gibson has provided service to our State in many ways. Including serving as the Office of the Governor’s General Counsel and serving dual roles as the First Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Gaming Division within the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. In his role as the Chief of Gaming, he acted as the chief legal counsel to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Nevada Gaming Commission, and Nevada Gaming Policy Committee, where he handled all legal actions against Nevada gaming licensees by the Board and Commission, including regulatory issues and violations. 

Gibson carries an impressive resume and we are confident in Gibson's judgement and oversight he will bring to Nevada’s Gaming Control board.  

Last week, I had the honor and privilege of virtually presenting at the Nevada League of Cities & Municipalities conference.  Their efforts have lead the way for an improved collaborative environment  for the State of Nevada and thus ensuring a better future for us all.  I would like to congratulate the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities to find the common ground for us all and I am looking forward to continue our work alongside of them. Please click on the link above to watch my remarks.

2020 Governor's Points of Lights Awards

I would like to thank the staff of Nevada Volunteers for inviting me to speak at the 2020 Governor's Points of Light Awards. It was an honor to speak at this special event for all those that virtually attended.  

Since 2001 these awards have celebrated the extraordinary volunteer efforts of Nevadans across the state, highlighting regional impacts along with the private and public partnership across the nonprofit and corporate sector. The Governor’s Points of Light finalists are selected by a panel of judges. Finalists show achievement through voluntary service in the following areas, Excellence in Volunteerism, Commitment, Impact, Longevity, and Inspiration. It was my pleasure to be able to shine light on Nevada's brightest volunteers. 

The event recording can be accessible here.  

DMV Update

I am proud to have stood alongside DMV Director Julie Butler, Congressman Mark Amodei, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, State Senator Ben Kieckhefer, Reno Councilperson Naomi Duerr, members of the Northern Nevada Classics Car Club, and other officials to announce the opening of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles new office in south Reno last week.

This new facility will boast 42,000 square feet, 53 customer service windows and the first in the nation, drive through kiosk. The building will be replacing the existing DMV office at 305 Galleti Way. As our community grows, we are proud be able to grow our services alongside of it. Read more here.

DMV to Offer Saturday Walk-Ins for Original Vehicle Registration 

Nevadans who need an original vehicle registration but are unable to complete it online will be able to do so on a walk-in basis on Saturdays, beginning November 14. The Saturday hours will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the DMV locations in Henderson, Las Vegas and Reno. Rural offices will remain closed on Saturday. Customers who have an existing appointment for vehicle registration should cancel it after using the Saturday service.

All customers are encouraged to visit the department website at dmvnv.com first to ensure they have the correct documentation for their transaction. 

Unemployment Update

Finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled  7,556 for week ending November 7, down 602 claims, or 7.4%, compared to the previous week. Regular continued claims totaled  105,591 during the week ending November 7, down 8,151 claims, or 7.1%, compared to the previous week.  

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides up to 46 weeks of benefits for the self-employed, 1099 contract workers, and gig workers saw 18,485 initial claims filed in the week ending November 7, a decrease of 32,213 claims, or 63.5%, from last week’s total of 50,698. Through the week ending November 7, 631,572 PUA initial claims have been filed.

Attorney General Ford Releases Guidance on Utility Imposter Scams Involving QR Codes

Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford is warning Nevadans to be cautious of increasingly sophisticated utility imposter scams as winter approaches and COVID-19 cases increase. Scammers attempt to mislead and defraud consumers and small local business owners. “Scammers use technology to capitalize on times of uncertainty and hardship,” said AG Ford. "Protect yourself and your family by learning how to identify utility imposter scams involving QR codes sent directly to your smart phone.” Imposter scams, both online and over the phone, come in many forms. The basic utility imposter scam involves a scammer posing as a member of a reputable utility company demanding money from unsuspecting customers.

These types of scams unfortunately victimize both the consumer and the utility company. Learn more here.

Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum Awarded $74,000 WESTAF/Mellon Resilience Grant

The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum announced last week it is being awarded a $74,000 grant from the Western Arts States Federation (WESTAF) and Mellon Foundation Regional Arts Resilience Fund. According to the award letter, “This was a highly competitive process, during a very challenging time.

The individuals involved in the selection process recognized the crucial role your organization plays in your community and for the larger field—regionally and nationally. We hope this grant, made possible through support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, helps address some of your organization’s immediate needs while ensuring its continued resilience as the field continues to shift and change.“ - Congratulations to Steward Indian School Cultural Center & Museum!

GOED Update

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) has expanded a program statewide through Nevada’s two universities to help technology entrepreneurs earn federal grant funding to support early-stage development of their businesses or innovations. SAGE is open to all qualified Nevada technology-based small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Community entrepreneurs or university-based entrepreneurs, whether faculty, staff or students, may bring their business concepts to the SAGE team for initial review.

Get started with SAGE by visiting the Sage North website or the SAGE South website and submitting basic information about your business or innovation.

Cannabis Control Board Update

Applicants looking to apply for or renew a cannabis agent registration card can now complete the application online in less than five minutes. This replaces the paper packet, which required applicants to print, fill out, and scan the document back into the registration portal. Once an applicant has submitted all required documents, they will receive a temporary agent registration card and will be authorized to begin or continue working in the industry immediately. For more information on the new online application, click here.

COVID TRACE   

I would like to encourage all Nevadans to download the COVID Trace mobile phone application. COVID Trace is a free, easy-to-use mobile phone app that gives us the information we need to fight COVID-19, without compromising your privacy. The app will help Nevadans protect each other and slow the spread by notifying you if you've likely been exposed to COVID-19. Empowering you to quarantine effectively, seek timely medical attention, and reduce risk for your loved ones. You can download the application on your phone here.

Resilience Project 

I know that many people are suffering from COVID fatigue and for this reason it is important to reach out for help. One resource that is available is the Nevada resilience project. "We are all trying to balance different challenges right now. The Nevada Resilience Project supports families and individuals experiencing struggles and challenges due to COVID – 19.

Our Resilience Ambassadors provide education, information, counseling, and resource navigation while promoting healthy coping, empowerment, and resilience. It’s normal to be experiencing difficulty with adapting to the new challenges of managing work, school, family, or home due to COVID-19, feeling isolated or anxious, or worried about meeting basic needs like having enough food or access to healthcare.

In this challenging time, you are not alone. Our Resilience Ambassadors can provide support and connection to resources over the phone, through text and video-chat, or "face to face." Click here for more information.

Official Documents Issued by the Governor Last Week

• Veterans Day
• Apprenticeship Week
• NET Cancer Awareness Day

COVID-19 Task Force Updates

The COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force met on November 12, 2020. For more information on these meetings and more, please visit the links below. 

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

Boards & Commissions

This month, I was proud to announce 73 appointments were made to State of Nevada boards, commissions, and agencies during the month of October. 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 This Week

• Flood Awareness Week (14th - 20th)

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

Note: Please do not reply to this email. Return emails will not be monitored by our office.