Weekly Newsletter

This week, due to the increased production and distribution of vaccine and the incredible work being done by federal, State and local partners, we were able to announce an exciting update to Nevada’s vaccination timeline.  

On March 22, we will open up availability to all Nevadans 16 and older with underlying health conditions -- statewide. Vaccination opportunities for this group of Nevadans will be available through the Retail Pharmacy Program.  

Local health authorities and counties will continue to vaccinate eligible Nevadans within the Frontline / Essential Workforce Lane, while also holding events for the general population. If you are eligible in your county now, we encourage you to make your appointment as soon as you can.  

And that’s not all. Beginning on APRIL 5, all Nevadans 16 and older will be eligible to schedule vaccination appointments statewide.

I want to be clear – opening up the eligibility on April 5 does not mean every Nevadan will be able to make an appointment and get a vaccine on April 5. Availability of vaccine and appointments will still be dependent on the allocation of doses we receive from the federal government. 
And while we open up eligibility, we will also use every resource we have, including any federal support, to scale up efforts to reach every community and remove barriers to access for our most vulnerable and at highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.  

For many of these populations, we know we need to meet them where they are at. We have started to see this approach result in success in many of our communities, and we look forward to expanding these efforts to every corner of our State. 

Thank you - 
Governor Steve Sisolak 

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

Governor Sisolak releases statement after UNLV vaccination site tour visit with Vice President Harris 

I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff for coming to Nevada this week to see the incredible work the State is doing – in partnership with leaders, volunteers and organizers at the local level – to administer the COVID-19 vaccines as fast as our federal allocation allows and ensure that all Nevadans who want access to the life-saving vaccines have access as soon as possible. To read my full statement, click here.  

Governor Sisolak issues statement in response to President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan

This week, President Joe Biden took bold and necessary action to sign the American Rescue Plan and bring much needed relief to the country, and to Nevada. This package will help bring back the American economy and provide much needed relief and assistance for hundreds of thousands of Nevada families. To read my full statement, click here.  

Governor Sisolak visits Nevada State Public Health Lab at University of Nevada, Reno 

The  American Rescue Plan means more subsidies and even $0 monthly premiums for more Nevadans!

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (American Rescue Plan), passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, increases the opportunity for unprecedented numbers of Nevadans to receive subsidies, including Nevadans making over 400% of the federal poverty level. It simultaneously reduces premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant health insurance plans sold through Nevada Health Link.

Nevadans who have received unemployment insurance may also be able to take advantage of $0 premium plans sold on the Exchange. If you are uninsured enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan through May 15th. See statement from Heather Korbulic, Executive Director, Silver State Health Insurance Exchange here.  

Google Plans to Invest in Nevada This Year - Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development 

 This week, Google announced plans to invest more than $7 billion in offices and data centers and create at least 10,000 new full time Google jobs across the United States this year. Google has called Nevada home since 2019 when it broke ground on a $600 million data center investment in Henderson. In 2020, Google announced an additional $600 million investment in Storey County and that it will be expanding its Henderson facility by an additional $600 million, bringing its total investment in Nevada to $1.8 billion. See the full press release here.

Message from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert in Memmoration of the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 

This week, the Nevada Department of Education released a video message from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert marking the one-year anniversary of COVID-19-related school building closures. The State of Nevada Support of Education: COVID-19 Recovery and Response document released on February 26, 2021 provided an overview of efforts to ensure continuity of education during the pandemic. Superintendent Ebert’s full video message can be viewed via the Department’s YouTube stream here. 

NSHE Marks One-Year COVID Anniversary, Institutions Planning for More Fall 2021 In-Person Instruction 

Chancellor Rose issued a letter this week marking the one-year anniversary since NSHE announced switching to remote learning and work. The letter also states that all NSHE institutions are planning for a return to more in-person instruction in Fall 2021 based on the most recent data and science. To view Chancellor Rose’s letter, click here.  

Nevada’s Small Business Highlight: Chef KP Creations   

This week’s highlight is Chef KP Creations: Chef KP Creations was created by Executive Chef, Aaron Klafter-Phillips. The company is based on the solution of creating a personalized approach to every catered event.  It all began with his love of  passion for creating specialized dining experiences for others in the comfort of their own homes or a private location began about 14 years ago at the ripe age of 16 years old. 
 
“I now currently teach as a chef instructor at NWCTA, a culinary magnet program for high schoolers. There I teach our students to industry standards in a state of the art 16,000 square foot kitchen which I love. However, my desire to create personalized experiences was burning inside me once again. Hence, the start of Chef KP Creations, a food experience like no other,” said Executive Chef, Aaron Klafter-Phillips.  
 
Chef KP creations offers a personalized approach to every catered event, in home tasking menu, and offers personalized cooking classes in the greater Las Vegas Area. To learn more about Chef KP Creations, visit their website here and to learn more about Executive Chef, Aaron Klafter-Phillips and the history behind Chef KP creations, click here. 

Wild Women Artists featured in March on “The First Lady presents…” 

The Nevada State Museum, Carson City, showcases women’s history in March by featuring work by the Wild Women Artists group through the museum’s online “The First Lady Presents…” program. Nevada’s first lady Kathy Sisolak helms “The First Lady Presents…,” a virtual, monthly program showcasing Nevada artists and artifacts on the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, website. For more on that and other museum program in March, click here.

 

Save Others by Saving Yourself 

Zero Fatalities, a lifesaving program within the Nevada Departments of Public Safety and Transportation with the goal of achieving Zero Fatalities on Nevada’s roadways by 2050, is kicking off its 10-Year Anniversary with the launch of “Save Yourself” – a multi-behavioral campaign with an emphasis on personal responsibility and self-preservation.  

All “Save Yourself” campaign assets are available on the Zero Fatalities website under the respective behavior pages for public and partner use and download. For additional information on trending dangerous driving behaviors and traffic safety in Nevada, please follow Zero Fatalities on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Plan for Play! Nevadans encouraged to participate in outdoor recreation survey  

Do you enjoy exploring Nevada’s public lands, parks, trails, and waterways? Would you like to see new bike paths, playgrounds, or other outdoor recreation infrastructure in your community? Right now, all Nevadans have the opportunity to weigh in on key topics like these to help shape the future of outdoor recreation in their neighborhoods, communities, and Nevada-wide. Let your voice be heard by completing a quick survey on outdoor recreation, brought to you by the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and Nevada Division of State Parks. To learn more, click here.  

Apply for Big Game Tags in Nevada Starting on Monday    

Let your friends and family know Nevada’s Big Game Application period opens next week on Monday, March 22 at ndowlicensing.com. The big game application period is a time many Nevadans look forward to all year long! Anyone 12 years of age and older who has passed hunter education can apply for a chance to hunt one of Nevada’s big game species, and in turn put money back into supporting conservation.

The application period will be open March 22 through Monday, May 10. The Nevada Department of Wildlife will also be holding a series of webinars to help you better understand the tag application process.  See webinar dates and registration here. Register for an online hunter education here so you can apply for tags at ndowlicensing.com. 

Less than Two Months Left of Nevada’s Tax Amnesty Program 

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. More details on Tax Amnesty 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. 

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

More than 757,699 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. 

Nevada Legislature Provides Special Recognition to Honor Veterans and Military

Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature provides the opportunity to show appreciation to the brave men and women who wear or have donned a U.S. military uniform. The day is set aside in NRS 236.047 to occur on the third Wednesday in March during the years the Legislature is in session to honor and recognize Nevada’s veterans and military members. This year that day falls on March 17, 2021. The VAMDAL presentation is provided in partnership between the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, Nevada National Guard, and United Veterans Legislative Council. Read more here.   

GOED announces $1.9 million in Community Development Block Grants 

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) has received $2,049,574 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) to be used for COVID-related projects in rural parts of Nevada. To read the full press release, click here.  

Nevada Electric Highway: Good News for Electric Vehicle Drivers 

Nevada Division of Natural Heritage looks to public for clues to recover Monarch Butterflies  

Did you know that Monarch Butterflies serve a vital role as a pollinator supporting ecosystems across Nevada? Join the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage by participating in the Western Monarch Mystery Challenge now through Earth Day, April 22, 2021 by downloading the FREE iNaturalist app on your apple or android device, or on your desktop computer by visiting iNaturalist.org. Keep an eye out for Monarch Butterflies and if you spot one, snap a photo, upload it to the iNaturalist database, and log the location. Learn more  about Monarch butterflies by visiting http://dcnr.nv.gov/news/ndnh-looks-to-public-for-clues-to-recover-monarch-butterflies 

Sometimes what your kids don’t say speaks louder than what they do. 

The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) was created to provide crisis intervention and support to Nevada families dealing with a behavioral or mental health crisis. For so long, families have had no choice but to go to the emergency room due to lack of resources or knowledge of available resources. MCRT is here to help. We’re mobile so we come to you. We also provide help over the phone. To learn more, click here.

Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas reopens March 20 

A new display about local educator and philanthropist Lilly Fong is among the current exhibits to see at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, re-opening March 20 after temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum also will be celebrating Women’s History Month this March with new biographies of Nevada women in its gallery sponsored by Bank of America. The museum’s health procedures will require visitors to book tickets for a specific time and day. Learn more by clicking, here.   

Student Art Contests Announced for Nevada State STEM and STEAM Diploma Seals 

The Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology and the Nevada Department of Education announced two design contests, inviting Nevada’s students to create the image that will become the official State Seal of STEM or the Sostate Seal of STEAM to be used on high school diplomas. The contests are open until March 30, 2021. Winning images will embody the spirit of the Seal (STEM or STEAM) as well as Nevada-specific attributes. Winners will receive a framed copy of their Seal. For more information, including image requirements, or to enter, please email asnyder.doe.nv@gmail.com. To view their 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 10,086, down 462 claims, or 4.4%, compared to the previous week’s total of 10,548 claims. Regular continued claims totaled 71,247 claims, a decrease of 811 claims, or 1.1%, from the previous week’s total of 72,058.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides benefits for self-employed, 1099 contract workers, and gig workers saw 4,086 initial claims filed in the week ending March 13, a decline of 1,066 claims, or 20.7%, from last week’s total of 5,152. Initial applications for the PUA program continue to be highly variable due to ongoing high levels of fraudulent applications. Through the week ending March 13, there have been a total of 1,102,935 PUA initial claims filed. 

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. 

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

Boards & Commissions

I am proud to announce 42 appointments were made to State of Nevada boards, commissions, and agencies during the months of January and February. 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 

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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