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Weekly Newsletter

Make a Plan: Knowing How and Where to Get Your Vaccine 

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Nevada is receiving small, weekly allocations of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government which are being provided to counties statewide to vaccinate our seniors and prioritized occupational groups. We know it is difficult, but we urge Nevadans to be patient and make a plan to get vaccinated when the time comes.  

Each county is moving at its own pace and more information on when, where, and how to be vaccinated can be found at NVCOVIDFighter.org  To schedule your vaccine appointment over the phone & receive county-specific information call our recently launched COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-800-401-0946. 

UNLV Medical School construction continues

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Last week, I had the opportunity of visiting UNLV’s School of Medicine new construction site. During my State of the State Address, I made a pledge of a $25 million one-shot expenditure to help complete the UNLV Medical School Building. Once completed, this new healthcare building could generate as many as 16,000 jobs over the next ten years and help address and overcome our State’s doctor shortage. 

UNLV Superconductivity Research Lab is the “holy grail” of energy efficiency 

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During my Nevada State of the State Address, I made clear my commitment to the creation of new industries, jobs, and infrastructure for our State. Last week, I had the honor of being accompanied by UNLV President Dr. Whitfield, Speaker Pro Tem Steve Yeager, and Assemblywoman Jill Tolles as we toured UNLV’s superconductivity research lab to witness their exciting new developments in energy transmission that the Department of Energy has called it the “holy grail of energy efficiency.” I was able to meet the exceptional faculty and students that engage in this exciting work that will help spur new industries in and create new jobs for our economy.  

UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders & HVAC providing high-quality jobs 

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This past weekend, I paid a visit to UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders & HVAC state-of-the-art facility. I had to privilege of touring their site and seeing their students have a hands-on approach through the great apprenticeship programs they offer. Witnessing this, reinvigorated my commitment I made during my Nevada State of the State address to continue to develop new industries and expand Nevada’s skilled workforce in order to create a more robust and sustainable economy.  

Second Draw PPP (Paycheck Protection Plan) Loans  

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The U.S. Small Business Administration began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP loans on 1/13/21. At least $25 billion was set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees, or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate-income neighborhoods. The last day to apply for and receive a Second Draw Loans in March 31, 2021. For loan details please visit the following website by clicking here.

Nevada Health Link opens Special Enrollment Period in response to Pres. Biden’s Executive Order, relative to the ongoing COVID-19 national emergency 

The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), the state agency that connects Nevadans to qualified health plans compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through the online State Based Exchange (SBE) known as Nevada Health Link, announces a 90-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for uninsured Nevadans, starting February 15 through May 15, 2021. The SEP is in accordance with the Executive Order issued by President Biden last month, in response to the ongoing national emergency presented by COVID-19. 

Uninsured Nevadans will have 90 days – Feb. 15 through 11:59 p.m. on May 15 – to submit an application for health insurance on Nevada Health Link. This SEP is available for any Nevadan who missed the Open Enrollment Period and is uninsured; please note existing enrollees will NOT have the opportunity to shop and change their current plan.  
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Nevada Department of Agriculture and Made in Nevada partner to highlight Nevada food and agriculture products  

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The Shop Made in Nevada website was recently expanded to include meat, produce, and agricultural products and address disruptions to local supply chains due to COVID-19. The platform connects manufacturers, artisans, growers, and other small businesses directly to consumers through an easy-to-use online portal. To read more on the Nevada Department’s website click here. To look into buying Nevada food and agriculture products online or register your business for free, click here.  

Veteran and Veteran Supporter of the Month for February 2021 

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I selected two outstanding volunteers for their support of veterans and military members by providing special recognition and honor in naming Robert Edwards of Reno as Veteran of the Month (VOM) and Jon Yuspa of Washoe Valley as Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) for the month of February 2021.

The VOM is awarded to veterans across Nevada who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, specifically with respect to volunteer work in support of veterans and the military. The VSM award recognizes both organizations and nonveteran Nevada community members who support military members stationed in Nevada, Nevada veterans, and their families. Both programs recognize individuals and organizations that help military members, veterans, and their families.   If you would like to nominate a veteran for the VOM award: click here. For VSM nominations click here. For more information, please visit us by clicking here. 

Department of Taxation Launches Nevada’s Tax Amnesty Program on February 1, 2021

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On Monday, February 1, 2021, the Nevada Department of Taxation kicked off the first day of the Tax Amnesty program. The amnesty program will run through May 1, 2021, and will allow for penalty and interest to be waived for those with unpaid tax debt in Nevada, provided the outstanding tax debt meets certain criteria. The tax can be paid online using a credit/debit card, or by check mailed to our office with AMNESTY written on the envelope. For more details on Tax Amnesty, click here

2021 Nevada Women Veterans Virtual Conference March 3, 2021; Free Registration 

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(Reno, Nev.) -- In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Nevada of Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) is hosting a free Nevada Women Veterans Virtual Conference on Tues., March 3, 2021,, from 9 a.m. to noon. All Veterans, active duty, Guard, Reserves, community partners, and supporters are invited to attend. The featured speaker is the first black female prisoner of war in U.S. history, Shoshana Johnson, a U.S. Army veteran and author of I'm Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen--My Journey Home. The first 100 female veteran attendees who register from Nevada will receive a free, autographed copy of Ms. Johnson's book. To view further details and the entire press release, click here.  To register, click here

Nevada 211 Youth app launched - Zip code-based information and resources  

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services has announced the release of a Nevada 211 Youth resource app to complement the Nevada 211 app launched earlier this year. The app, which focuses on youth resources including counseling, education, emergency food and shelter as well as youth employment is free to download and can be searched based on zip code.  

Nevada 211, a free service that includes information about health and human service programs and resources that are available throughout the state, can also be accessed online at Nevada211.org, by dialing 2-1-1 or by texting your zip code to 898211. 

The Nevada 211 app was announced in May 2020 to help more Nevadans connect with the resources they need. Money Management International (MMI) administers the program.  

Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, the Nevada 211 Youth app is free to download. 

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2021 Nevada Job Shadow Day a success   

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The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s (DETR) Rehabilitation Division announced that due to the pandemic, the 2021 Nevada Shadow Day was held virtually on Tuesday, February 2nd, and was a great success. This special day highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for Nevada students with disabilities to explore careers. This year, nearly 60 students with disabilities statewide were afforded an opportunity to experience a variety of careers first-hand, ranging from café management, to fire prevention, to management of beauty salons/spas. For more information or to enroll as a future participant, please contact Daphne DeLeon, Vocational Rehabilitation Statewide Coordinator, at D-deleon@detr.nv.gov 

Celebrating the wonders of wetlands in Nevada  

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On Tuesday, the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage celebrated World Wetlands Day by providing education on the vital importance of wetlands to Nevada’s ecological, economic, and social health. Wetlands serve as a lifeline to many of Nevada’s diverse species. In fact, over 2/3 of Nevada's plant & wildlife species listed as threatened or endangered live exclusively in wetland habitats across the state. To explore the many wonders of Nevada’s wetlands, visit their website by clicking here.  

Status of Energy Report Now Available

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The Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) recently released the 2020 Status of Energy Report, an annual update on energy in Nevada and all of GOE’s programs for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation electrification. This year’s report contains highlights on the Nevada Climate Strategy, renewable energy, electricity markets and more! The full report is available on the GOE website.
 

Nevada Department of Transportation Seeks State Rail Plan Feedback, Hosts February 16 Virtual Summit

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The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is accepting public feedback and hosting a February 16 virtual rail summit to finalize the Nevada State Rail Plan, outlining potential new and enhanced railroad facilities to create a more efficient and sustainable statewide transportation network. 
The plan will be finalized following public comment and a virtual statewide rail summit on Feb. 16. The summit will provide an overview of plan recommendations and strategies and gather stakeholder and public feedback. Interested members of the public can register for the free summit by visiting the rail plan web site, by clicking here. To read the full press release, click here.  

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Works to Provide Water to Wildlife in Driest Parts of Nevada

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The record-setting lack of precipitation in 2020 resulted in critically low water levels at big game guzzlers spread across much of Nevada’s Desert bighorn sheep range. Guzzlers are manmade devices that provide wildlife in the driest parts of the state with much-needed water. Over the past several months, and as recently as the week of January 4, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) responded with emergency water hauls at an unprecedented scale with helicopters, 4 wheel-drive trucks, and water tenders. Without supplemental water, a high proportion of bighorn sheep in certain mountain ranges would have likely died from dehydration. In total, approximately 167,000 gallons of supplemental water have been provided to 30 different guzzlers. A special thanks goes out to all the NDOW personnel that helped with this effort and the generous funding received by NBU Reno, the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, and Nevada Dream Tag. To see how a guzzler works, check out this video of an emergency water haul NDOW conducted over the summer in Southern Nevada’s Muddy Mountain Range, click here

COVID Trace App: Protecting your community. And your privacy.   

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More than 534,166 of your neighbors have downloaded the COVID Trace App. It's a free and easy-to-use mobile phone app that gives you the information you need to fight COVID-19, without compromising your privacy. Nevadans have answered the call since Nevada day, and have doubled the number of downloads. Join your friends, family and neighbors on the app today! Together, we can help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Nevada!

Join the fight! To download the fight on your Apple device or Android, click here

Unemployment Update

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Finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 9,821, down 284 claims, or 2.8%, compared to the previous week’s total of 10,105 claims. Regular continued claims totaled 80,891 claims, a decrease of 36 claims from the previous week’s total of 80,927.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides benefits for self-employed, 1099 contract workers, and gig workers saw 70,368 initial claims filed in the week ending January 30, a decline of 41,294 claims, or 37.0%, from last week’s total of 111,662. Initial applications for the PUA program continue to be highly variable due to ongoing high levels of fraudulent applications. Through the week ending January 30, there have been a total of 1,032,652 PUA initial claims filed. 

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DMV asks for your help

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The DMV is asking for the public's cooperation on two issues.  The first is a no-show rate of 50 percent for appointments. About half of customers in the Las Vegas and Reno offices don't keep their appointments, which delays services for other Nevadans. There is a link to cancel an appointment on the DMV home page. The second issue is customers using the mail or visiting an office for transactions that can be done online, particularly vehicle registration renewals. Please use DMV online services or kiosks if at all possible. For further information, please visit the DMV website by clicking here.  

COVID-19 Task Force Updates

The COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force met on January 28, 2021. For more information on these meetings and more, please visit the links below. 


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Boards & Commissions

In December, I was proud to announce 52 appointments were made to State of Nevada boards, commissions, and agencies during the month of December. 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. 

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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! 

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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