CARSON CITY (KTNV) — The Nevada Legislature is meeting for a third day of the 31st Special Session to address the state's historic $1.2 billion budget shortfall. Scroll down for highlights and real-time updates.
On the table Friday is Senate Bill 2, which could possibly give some hope for struggling college students.
The bill would relax Millennium Scholarship requirements, meaning any students negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic could possibly be considered for the scholarship. The bill would affect more than 2,000 students who lost scholarship eligibility this spring. However, the bill could cost more than $2 million, draining the Millennium Scholarship program of their reserve funds, and putting the program's future in jeopardy.
RELATED: Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak extended interview during Legislative special session
WATCH LIVE
JULY 10
To watch the Nevada Assembly Chamber live on July 10, click here. Also, click here for the agenda.
To watch the Nevada Senate Chambers on July 10, click here.
JULY 9
To watch the Nevada Assembly Chamber live on July 9, click here.
To watch the Nevada Senate Chambers on July 9, click here.
DAY 2 AGENDAS
The agenda for today's Senate is as follows:
- K-12 Education
- Nevada System of Higher Education
- S.B. 1: Revises provisions relating to capital improvement projects.
- Public comment
Download July 9 Senate agenda here.
The agenda for today's Assembly is as follows:
- Public comment
- Department of Health and Human Services Budget Reduction Proposals
- Capital Improvement Plan Budget Reduction Proposals
- Public comment
Download July 9 Assembly agenda here.
*************************
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
#BREAKING The senate is back in session. Public comment on the K-12 cuts is beginning now. 90 minutes have been allotted. @KTNV https://t.co/Zss5f8EA3i
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
#BREAKING moments ago from longtime Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton who represents parts of Las Vegas about the cuts to healthcare. “I’ve been through a lot in this building, this is probably the worst.” @KTNV pic.twitter.com/1d0fuhjBFy
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
The senate side is now in recess until 2:00 pm. Another public comment section will begin at that time. Below are instructions if you want to call in about cuts to education. @KTNV https://t.co/CT6A2uAdbL pic.twitter.com/1B5ZRTQJ9D
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
The Nevada Legislature is now in session and is being being forced to make painful budget cuts. McConnell and Trump are failing Nevadans and hard working Americans by not prioritizing a second stimulus package.
— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) July 9, 2020
#BREAKING Former United States Senator majority leader Sen. Harry Reid is tweeting about Nevada's massive budget crisis. Calls on the president and congress to act to pass stimulus/bail out for states like Nevada @KTNV https://t.co/OJ317CxtsI
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
In the Assembly: Director of Health and Human Services Richard Whitley discusses proposed cuts: "My fear is that we turn services off, we have a fragile healthcare system, and we are trying to enhance it, but if we turn things off, we may decimate a whole service line." @KTNV pic.twitter.com/WanCFNSGWO
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
Supt. Ebert: some education positions are being moved around to federally funds for cost savings. pic.twitter.com/w9gaDEhygb
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
Here's some pics taken just moments ago from inside the Senate chamber. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/cFyDGvmK3S
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 9, 2020
RE-WATCH DAY 2
Watch a replay of the Nevada Assembly on July 9 (part 1).
Watch a replay of the Nevada Assembly on July 9 (part 2).
*************************
DAY 1 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS:
Outside of the Nevada State Capitol building on Wednesday (day 1), demonstrators gathered to protest cuts to education. 13 Action News Reporter Joe Bartels shared an update on Facebook around 1 p.m.:
Also on Wednesday, Gov. Steve Sisolak spoke with 13 Action News Reporter Joe Bartels and discussed the special session along with the ongoing issues reported by many with Nevada's unemployment office.
We got this health screening too. They give a sticker if you passed the test. pic.twitter.com/45SLiwihyu
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 8, 2020
We have a special Facebook LIVE report right at 1:00 PM on the @KTNV page. Make sure to tune in on this demonstration at the capitol. #EducationIsEssential pic.twitter.com/u4Kr3zk3kZ
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 8, 2020
Just about EVERY single caller over the last 40 minutes into the Legislative Assembly has called for education spending to remain at current levels
At the same time, @Joe_Bartels is talking with protestors outside advocating for the same thing.
Some, have called for higher taxes. pic.twitter.com/hhH9c2pFi9— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) July 8, 2020
HAPPENING NOW: Educarion Demonstators are outside the capitol holding signs and chanting. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/qotN2rDEG0
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 8, 2020
Here’s some photos from inside the Assembly side. The chamber is organized and now notifying the @GovSisolak they are ready for business. @KTNV @seanktnv pic.twitter.com/qpMeApFJB3
— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 8, 2020
The Department of Education itself could see roughly $13M in cuts to SEVERAL areas of the department.
In total, combining both fiscal years, the Dept. of Ed. is facing ~183.1 Million dollars in cuts.
Presentation on those cuts scheduled for 10a.m. joint legislature meeting.— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) July 8, 2020
#UPDATE: Included in the agenda for the 10am meeting of the special legislative session is a breakdown of cuts proposed to the Nevada Department of Education affecting K-12 Schools in the state.@KTNV
THREAD:— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) July 8, 2020
Happening NOW: Nevada lawmakers are meeting to grapple with financial crisis created by COVID-19.
$1.2 Billion dollars short and counting. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/78Hl1yiBGC— Joe Bartels (@Joe_Bartels) July 8, 2020
DAY 1 AGENDA:
The agenda for today's meeting is as follows:
- Public Comment
- Overview of the General Fund Shortfall and Solutions to Address the Shortfall for the 2019-2021 Biennium
- Overview of Budget Reduction Proposals — Nevada Department of Education
- Overview of Budget Reduction Proposals — Nevada System of Higher Education
RE-WATCH DAY ONE
To watch the Nevada Assembly Chamber on July 8, click here.
To watch the Nevada Senate Chambers on July 8 click here.
Watch a replay of the Nevada Assembly during the start of the special session below (part 1).
Watch a replay of the Nevada Assembly during the start of the special session below (part 2).
Watch a replay of the Nevada Assembly during the start of the special session below (part 3).
Watch a replay of the Nevada Assembly during the start of the special session below (part 1).
*************************
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Gov. Sisolak issues proclamation for Nevada Legislative special session
- Nevada faces $1.2B budget shortfall ahead of special legislative session on Wednesday
- Nevada Gov. Sisolak details plan to address budget shortfall
Yesterday, Gov. Steve Sisolak issued the formal proclamation to call the session.
On Monday, the governor released his Nevada COVID-19 Fiscal Report, which includes information about the state’s budget and economy pre-pandemic and details the condensed timeframe in which the state had to respond to the public health, economic and fiscal crises that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full report here.
Stay with 13 Action News for further coverage from Carson City.
