Nevada’s Special Legislative Session Highlighted Everything That is Wrong In State Politics

After seven grueling days, Nevada’s special legislative session came to a much-needed close. Republican Governor Joe Lombardo had called for a special session last month, announcing: “At some point over the next few months, I intend to call the Legislature back for a special session. The goal will be to finish what the Legislature left unfinished – plain and simple.”

The unfinished legislation the governor supported– the expansion of Hollywood studios into Las Vegas and his crime bill– was met with immediate opposition and Democrat-led amendments. If you’re not familiar with Nevada politics, Democrats have a near supermajority in the assembly and senate, so the continuous amendments for their progressive pet projects are expected.

Governor Lombardo’s signature crime bill did pass, only after a Democrat amendment was added requiring law enforcement to have a warrant to enter onto school grounds.

This amendment to @JosephMLombardo's crime bill would turn Nevada into a sanctuary state for schools. pic.twitter.com/67UxDJx7NK

— Victor Joecks (@VictorJoecks) November 19, 2025

The amended crime bill now awaits his signature with the U.S. Department of Justice following “very closely.” Acting U.S. Attorney for the state of Nevada Sigal Chattah signaled on social media that the amended crime bill would likely be federally challenged if signed.

We are following this VERY closely. ⚖️ https://t.co/TmCMr9PYa5

— Sigal Chattah (@Chattah4Nevada) November 20, 2025

The bipartisan dreams of Hollywood expanding into Las Vegas through $1.2 billion in transferable tax credits were met with bipartisan opposition. A rarity in politics.

The bill was sponsored by progressive Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas) who is running for Lieutenant Governor in 2026. The legislation was amended by her progressive colleagues to include diversity quotas, $11 million in funding of pre-K education annually in Summerlin, and diverted room tax revenues for retired state workers’ health benefits.

Ultimately, the bill failed to pass by one vote in the senate after narrowly passing in the assembly.

In a statement, Lombardo said “I appreciate thoughtful policy discussions about how to bring new, good-paying jobs to Nevada and further diversify our economy.”

“Since taking office, my administration has been focused on expanding opportunity and attracting new industries to our state, so that future generations of Nevadans can build their lives and careers right here at home,” the statement said. “Nevada is open for business, and my administration will continue to fight for Nevada to be a competitive, innovative, and prosperous place for all who call it home.”

“I did everything I could to make my case, and it just didn’t have the votes,”  Jauregui told a local news outlet after the Wednesday vote. “You lose with grace.”

Grace aside, if awards were to be given for dramatic performances, the lobbyists, unions, and special interests would get the lion’s share, while the taxpayers would be holding the bag for “Hollywood handouts.”

Republican State Senator Jeff Stone (Las Vegas) was denied the opportunity to vote remotely against the bill, unlike his Democratic colleague Senator Edgar Flores (Las Vegas) who also voted “No.” In a released statement, Stone highlights his concern over “aggressive and coercive” lobbying surrounding the unpopular bill and “cronyism”–which has become a feature, not a bug, in state politics when it comes to union-first and union-only employment.

Stone aptly remarks, “Project labor agreements would shut out most Nevada businesses from bidding despite the project being subsidized with public taxpayer dollars.” BRAVO. It’s about time a state lawmaker called out the obvious cronyism in Nevada politics.

Read my #nvleg statement below regarding the “Hollywood Handout”:

#AB5 pic.twitter.com/mo1SH0FmoR

— Jeff Stone (@JeffStoneNV) November 20, 2025

The special session also teed up the opportunity for the Democratic majority to advance their priority to enshrine universal mail-in ballots in the Nevada State Constitution. Senate Joint Resolution 1 was introduced by Senate leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) who is running for Attorney General in 2026. The resolution is not subject to the governor’s veto and was passed twice in two days of the session by the Democratic majority. The resolution will again be up for legislative consideration in 2027. If the Democrats hold the majority and pass the resolution for the third time, the bill will appear as a ballot measure in 2028.

Lastly, another lowlight from the special legislative session was a now-deleted post by Assembly Leader Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas) who showed off his red-bottomed Christian Louboutin shoes which retail for over $1,000. Hubris that you would expect to find in a Hollywood studio, but a picture-perfect ending to the gross display of tone-deaf, pay-to-play politicking in Carson City.