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Aaron Ford Announces Plan To Pause Tax Breaks For Data Centers

This is a press release dated August 19, 2026

Ford’s agenda stands in contrast to Joe Lombardo’s negligence around data centers, which he says he is “wholeheartedly in support of”

Today, Attorney General Aaron Ford announced that as Governor, he will stop tax abatements for data centers until they prove in an audit conducted by Ford’s GOED that they are making good on their commitments to Nevada. The plan is part of Ford’s newly-released data center accountability agenda, which centers around stopping data centers from raising Nevadans’ electricity bills and other utility costs and protecting Nevadans and our resources.

“When I’m Governor, Joe Lombardo’s gravy train for data centers is coming to an end. I’m going to implement some of the strictest rules in America: data centers will need to bring their own water or coolant, pay for their own electricity so ratepayers’ bills don’t go up, and actually deliver the sustainable high-paying jobs and tax revenue they’ve promised.” said Attorney General Aaron Ford. “Joe Lombardo says he’s ‘wholeheartedly in support of data centers.’ I, on the other hand, will be a Governor who is wholeheartedly supportive of Nevadans – and that means making data centers pay up.”

Joe Lombardo has been the #1 cheerleader in Nevada for data centers instead of looking out for Nevadans’ interest. Under Lombardo, over 70 data centers have come into Nevada, with little to no actual proof they’ve delivered on creating tax revenue, sustainable jobs, or economic investment. Lombardo has given data centers $200 million in Nevadans’ tax dollars while failing to verify any benefits to Nevadans. Not only that – Lombardo has taken close to $2 million dollars in campaign contributions from the data center companies seeking to send Nevadans’ costs soaring. Despite the outrage Nevadans have voiced over the data center buildout, Lombardo holds up the current status quo as a “model”. 

“Data centers should be giving us good union jobs that hire Nevadans, but we need standards and oversight to make that happen,” said Jacob Haas, Business Manager at IBEW Local 401. “Attorney General Ford has always been a partner to working people, and we know that he’s the leader who will ensure that data centers pay their fair share while building up our economy.”

Attorney General Ford is launching his data center agenda after having completed his second statewide tour of Nevada, where he engaged with communities in every corner of the state about their fears around data centers and what they need from their next Governor. In communities including Reno, Mesquite, Elko, Boulder City, Douglas, Carson City and Pahrump, Nevadans shared their concerns about data centers raising their electricity bills, draining their energy and fresh water supply, and failing to create the good jobs that were promised. Ford’s data center agenda, which is built around the concerns he heard about from Nevadans, also stipulates that he will make the data center companies bring their own water, pay for their own electricity, create sustainable, high-road jobs, hire local, and work with unions and communities to ensure that working people are in the driver’s seat, not getting left behind.

“I support Attorney General Ford’s plan to pause tax abatements for data centers and to create statewide bans on evaporative cooling,” said Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill. “Gov. Lombardo is handing over our state’s precious water and energy resources to his biggest donors. Nevadans must come together to vote for Ford and other Democrats who will guarantee transparency and center local community needs.”

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https://www.fordfornevada.com/news/new-aaron-ford-announces-plan-to-pause-tax-breaks-for-data-centers?source=918024c8-3201-4d86-b306-046db145c4a3

Water Crisis update

Note: Each story links to articles posted on mesquitewateralliance.com

In May 2026 Lake Mead reached a new historic low falling roughly 1,040.4 feet below sea level, below the previous 2022 record and the lowest reservoir level since Mead filled in the 1930s. The decline is especially significant because Reclamation expects additional deterioration this year.

In July 2026, BOR, under acting Commissioner Scott J. Cameron, released their “temporary” final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, covering 10 years after states failed to agree on a replacement for the 2007 guidelines, which expire this year calling for, among other things cuts up to 3 million acre‑feet/year in Lower Basin states (Arizona, California, Nevada) during dry years — nearly double the 1.6 Maf/year proposed by those states.

Meanwhile John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Nevada’s lead negotiator on river rights, during an annual water conservation summit hosted by Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) in Las Vegas on Wednesday Aug. 12th commented on the EIS, saying, “At the end of the day, we have to protect our legal interests,”

And in Nevada, Democratic Governor challenger Attorney General Aaron Ford is not taking positions on a proposal that taxpayers subsidize a water-consuming data center approved on federal land outside Boulder City and Governor Jo Lombardo, a strong and vocal backer of the water-consuming data center industry in Nevada, did not respond to questions about the data center proposed to him by Titus, her spokesman Dick Cooper said.

WATCH: Ford Launches First TV Ad of Cycle Focused on Lombardo-Trump Cost-of-Living Crisis

This is a press release issued July 28, 2026

As costs hit record highs in Nevada, Attorney General Ford’s campaign released its first TV ad of the 2026 cycle, “Enough,” focused on the cost of living crisis created by Joe Lombardo and Donald Trump. The ad touts Ford’s relentless focus on lowering costs and creating opportunity for hardworking Nevadans, as well as his record of taking on big drug companies and putting criminals behind bars.

WATCH:

Under the Lombardo-Trump economy, groceries, gas, and housing costs have all risen for working families, while the same billionaires who are jacking up Nevadans’ prices are bankrolling Lombardo’s campaign and get richer as a reward. In contrast, Ford will lower costs on day one – proposing policies to make things cost less and create good-paying jobs. Ford’s agenda will lower housing costs, make health care affordable, deliver clean, affordable energy, and more.

The ad will air on broadcast in the Reno market starting today and Las Vegas starting next week. 

Transcript:

GENERAL FORD: Before I sued big utility and drug companies to lower costs. 

FORD: Before I locked up violent criminals to protect Nevadans.

FORD: I taught middle school math.

FORD:  So I know the Lombardo-Trump economy doesn’t add up. 

FORD: We’re the 4th most expensive state for homeowners.

FORD: Some of the highest unemployment in the nation.

FORD: And nearly last in education. 

FORD:  I’m Aaron Ford and I say enough.  

FORD: You deserve a fighter who’ll lower costs, raise wages, create opportunity.

FORD: As Governor, I’ll move Nevada Forward.  

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Cortez Masto Secures Commitment from Trump Administration to Support Her Legislation to Boost Tourism Between United States, Mexico, and Canada

This is a press release issued on July 22, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) questioned U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at a Senate Finance Committee hearing about how the Trump Administration’s policies are harming travel and tourism across the country. She also secured a commitment from him to support her bipartisan USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act to establish a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group as part of the Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“Last year, for the first time in decades, the U.S. experienced a trade deficit in our largest service export, and that is tourism. After running a trade surplus in travel in 2024, we actually experienced a $14 billion trade deficit in 2025….We have seen that across the country,” began Senator Cortez Masto. Ambassador Greer responded with a promise to work with Cortez Masto on tourism promotion.

Cortez Masto then asked: “Senator Moran and I have introduced legislation to create a travel and tourism working group in the USMCA. Would you commit to support that?”

Ambassador Greer responded: “I will, yes. 100%. Yes.”

The Senator also pressed Ambassador Greer to ensure that the findings of the Administration’s Section 232 investigation into imports of aircraft and aircraft parts, which is chilling investment and threatening jobs, are made public. She concluded by pushing for more transparency around the Administration’s policies surrounding the export and import of critical minerals.

Senator Cortez Masto is a fierce advocate for Nevada’s travel and tourism economy. She has repeatedly raised concerns about the Trump Administration’s policies that are driving down tourism and demanded that the administration deliver a plan to reverse the harm they’ve caused. She has also supported legislation to reverse funding cuts to the effective Brand USA travel promotion public-private partnership program. Ahead of the July 2026 review of the USMCA, the Senator urged Trade Representative Greer to strengthen the trade agreement while encouraging collaboration on travel and tourism – a commitment she secured today. She recently held a press conference with Las Vegas business owners reliant on the travel industry who have been harmed by the Trump Administration’s detrimental policies.

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LINK: https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-secures-commitment-from-trump-administration-to-support-her-legislation-to-boost-tourism-between-united-states-mexico-and-canada/

Interview: Pete Buttigieg

I am posting comprehensive interviews with leaders of our party. These are in no particular order, but are posted as they become available. It is important that we familiarize ourselves with those who are likely to run for president in 2028.

If you missed the interview with Governor Gavin Newsome, you can access it HERE.

If you missed the interview with Governor J.B. Pritzker, you can access it HERE.

If you missed the interview with Governor Josh Shapiro, you can access it HERE.

Here is a long interview that Pete Buttigieg did with Tim Miller of The Bulwark that was published yesterday.

Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce Nearly $30 Million for Airports Across Nevada

This is a press release dated July 9, 2026.

Please note Mesquite Airport is included in this funding.

Las Vegas, Nev. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced a $29,974,140 investment into Nevada’s airports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ensuring that these twelve airports will continue to serve communities throughout the Silver State. This funding will be used for pavement and utility upgrades, runway and taxiway modernizations, improvements to weather observation systems, and hangar updates.

“Nevada’s airports are the gateway to our state – for visitors, for emergency services, and for Nevadans traveling throughout the Silver State and across America,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It’s critical that all the airports across Nevada continue to have world-class facilities and infrastructure. Nevada’s Congressional delegation will never stop fighting to deliver for our state’s aviation infrastructure.”

“Nevada’s airports see millions of travelers every year, domestic and international, who come to our state and contribute to Nevada’s economy,” said Senator Rosen. “This funding will help keep the infrastructure of our airports up to date, allowing them to keep up with Nevada’s demands as a top travel destination. I’ll continue supporting our state’s tourism and travel economy at the federal level.”

The Senators helped secure the following grants for twelve airports across the state:

  • $13,695,039 for Reno-Tahoe International Airport to reconstruct the existing airport terminal, including upgrades to pavement and utilities that have reached the end of their useful lives.
  • $5,094,412 for Reno-Stead Airport to reconstruct 24,800 square yards of the existing main apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. An airport apron is the area of an airport in which aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, boarded, or maintained.
  • $3,564,630 for Harry Reid International Airport to rehabilitate pavement across its airport apron and plan for future improvements.
  • $2,947,000 for Austin Airport to realign, rehabilitate, and reconstruct the airport’s taxiways, modernizing the airport and bringing them up to modern standards. The airport will also acquire and install a new automated weather observing system to gather more accurate local weather information.
  • $1,667,000 for Tonopah Airport to reconstruct 21,000 square yards of the existing aircraft apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.
  • $1,092,652 for Fallon Municipal Airport to construct a new 300-foot taxi-lane to provide airfield access to the site of future airport hangars, as well as update existing taxiways.
  • $769,028 for Mesquite Airport to reconstruct 25,000 square yards of the existing aircraft apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. The airport will also reconstruct a gravel road used by airport vehicles, FAA vehicles, and ground service equipment.
  • $387,448 for Silver Springs Airport to acquire and install a new automated weather observing system to gather more accurate local weather information.
  • $282,000 for Minden-Tahoe Airport to rehabilitate taxi-lanes that have reached the end of their useful lives.
  • $187,500 for Carson City Airport to reconstruct the pavement on airport taxiways to extend their useful lives.
  • $160,901 for Lincoln County Airport to construct a new 1,500 square foot building to house snow removal equipment.
  • $126,530 for Wells Municipal Airport Harriet Field to construct a new 200-foot taxi-lane to provide airfield access to the site of future airport hangars.

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have consistently fought to ensure Nevada’s transportation infrastructure has the funding it needs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FAA reauthorizations legislation, and annual budget bills. The Senators recently secured $33,746,000 from the FAA for airports throughout Nevada, including $20 million for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. These investments help support the Silver State’s vital manufacturing and hospitality sectors while ensuring that Nevadans have the safe and efficient transportation network they require.

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LINK: https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-rosen-announce-nearly-30-million-for-airports-across-nevada/

Cortez Masto Secures Over $6 Million in Funding for Affordable Housing in Nevada

This is a press release issued on July 7, 2026

Note: A housing project in Mesquite is included in this funding.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded news that that the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) of San Francisco has awarded $6.2 million in funding to help build affordable housing units throughout Nevada. Senator Cortez Masto has consistently encouraged the FHLBank of San Francisco to invest in housing for Nevadans, and she is proud to have secured these Affordable Housing Program Nevada Targeted Fund grants to create or preserve 218 housing units across six projects.

“Every family in Nevada deserves to have a safe, affordable place to call home. This critical funding gets us one step closer to achieving that goal,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I look forward continuing to work with Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to invest in communities throughout the Silver State.”

“We are proud to support projects that strengthen communities and increase access to stable, affordable housing throughout Nevada,” said Tom Dapice, community investment officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “Through our collaboration with Senator Cortez Masto, our member financial institutions, and affordable housing developers across the state, these grants will help create and preserve affordable homes for Nevada families, seniors, and other residents who need them most.”

Recently, the FHLBank of San Francisco has been making historic investments in affordable housing throughout Nevada. This year, the FHLBank invested 20 percent of its income in affordable housing and other voluntary programs, double the required 10 percent. In addition to these six grants, the FHLBank also invested $27 million in Nevada Housing Division bonds so far this year. It has also provided Nevadans more than five million dollars in grants for downpayment assistance and Tribal investments. Senator Cortez Masto will continue to collaborate with her partners at the FHLBank and its members and stakeholders to increase the supply of homes available to working Nevadans.

More detailed information about the projects receiving the FHLBank funding can be found here and here.

For years, Senator Cortez Masto has encouraged the nation’s 11 FHLBanks use their resources to invest in housing and community development. Following her push, banks, credit unions, state housing finance agencies, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and other similar organizations have sought more opportunities to benefit from this government-sponsored enterprise. Thanks to Cortez Masto’s efforts, the FHLBanks have invested more than 90 million dollars in affordable housing in Nevada. Cortez Masto has also introduced legislation to enable CDFIs and credit unions to finance more community development investments.

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LINK: https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-secures-over-6-million-in-funding-for-affordable-housing-in-nevada/

Heather Explains It All To You

Opinion

I have often advised others that if you have time to listen to one podcast, it should be historian Heather Cox Richardson.

Yesterday, she pointed out a pet peeve of hers, which is a pet peeve of mine.  It is the way in which we define, re-define, amplify, identify, criticize and otherwise inaccurately use words such as communist, socialist, progressive, democratic socialist, liberal, fascism and the like.  She zeroed in on the mis-use of these terms.

Policies promoted by self identified democratic socialists are those which were enacted by our presidents since World War II, including Republican presidents. They are called The New Deal and The Great Society, which the radical right has been effective in destroying since the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

President Joe Biden passed more progressive legislation than any president since Lyndon Johnson, which was passed in Congress by leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer.

Yet, the American people rejected that progress, which breaks all of our hearts.

Democrats who worked to pass health care legislation, for example, include Ted Kennedy (who worked with Richard Nixon)  Bill and Hillary Clinton, and of course, Barack Obama who did get the Affordable Care Act passed (with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid), but lost 60 seats in Congress over the backlash.  And yet passing health care legislation is called “socialist” and the so-called “left” side of the Democratic Party claim to be the ones “for the people” on this and other issues, and those who don’t call themselves “socialist” are not.

This is not socialism — which is what Heather Cox Richardson will explain to you.

I refuse to fall into the trap of being labeled anything — and have often said to others, I’m fine with leftist, progressive New Deal, Great Society policies — quit attacking me or labeling me as something I am not, just because I won’t identify with a “label” such as “socialist.”

The media is creating a false narrative that the Democrats on the left and in the center are at war with each other. We cannot fall into the trap of that narrative because it isn’t true.

We all want to improve the lives of the American people through our government and we are opposed to the radical right oligarchy authoritarian policies of this regime.

Do not let them divide and conquer us.  Listen to Heather Cox Richardson. She will explain it all to you.

Aaron Ford Unveils ‘Workers First’ Economic Development Plan, Focused on Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs, Investing in the Future and Raising Wages

This is a press release dated June 25, 2026

Today, Aaron Ford released his Workers First agenda – a roadmap for how he will make the American Dream accessible to Nevadans again by diversifying Nevada’s economy, cutting costs for working families, and standing up for workers as Governor. Ford has pledged to be the most pro-worker governor in Nevada’s history, and his agenda outlines how he’ll fight for by protecting prevailing wages and ending the “right-to-freeload.”

Ford’s economic development plan will:

  • Support union workers by protecting collective bargaining rights, safeguarding worker safety protections, creating new union apprenticeship opportunities, and ensuring AI doesn’t put workers at risk.
  • Futurize Nevada’s economy by investing in cutting-edge clean energy technology, supporting small businesses, fast-tracking new public infrastructure, and forcing data centers to provide real benefits for working people before they receive another dollar of our tax-payer money.
  • Build Nevada’s future workforce by creating scholarships to provide top-notch educational opportunities here at home, increasing investments in state colleges and universities, tackling student loan debt, and banning predatory lending practices.

Ford’s ‘Workers First’ agenda builds on his ‘Affordable Nevada’ platform, a comprehensive agenda to make Nevada affordable for working families struggling to get by in the failing Lombardo-Trump economy. 

“Nevada workers built the middle class, are the best workforce in the world, and deserve leadership who rewards them for that hard work,” said Attorney General Aaron Ford. “My Workers First agenda puts working families first by supporting union workers, futurizing our economy, and investing in the future of our workforce. Under Joe Lombardo and Donald Trump, Nevada’s economy is headed in the wrong direction with unemployment remaining higher here than any other state in the nation. Nevada workers deserve a fighter who is focused on lowering costs and creating good-paying union jobs – I am that fighter.”

Under Joe Lombardo, Nevada’s unemployment rate is one of the highest of any state in the nation — showing no improvement from when he took office. Las Vegas saw a 2.2% year to year decrease in visitors from January 2025 to January 2026. Las Vegas gaming companies have had to lay off workers following a decline in visitors. Trump’s tariffs, which Lombardo supports, increased expenses by $1,565 for the average Nevada family. Under Trump and Lombardo, Nevada families have had to spend an extra $2,900 on average for things like food, energy and health care.

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Affordable Housing -Not!

In a bizarre turn of events this morning, Donald Trump refused to show up and sign bi-partisan legislation that passed both chambers which would have increased the number of housing starts, lowered barriers to home-ownership, and restricted the ability of private equity firms to buy up single family homes in our neighborhoods.

What’s hilarious is that the Republicans were staging a press conference with the theme of “see, we do care about affordability” when word came down via Truth Social that Trump wouldn’t show up for the signing,

Unless ….. (wait for it)

The SAVE Act is passed by the Senate.

What is the SAVE Act? It’s the one that eliminates mail-in voting, mandates each state to turn over its voter rolls to the federal government, requires each citizen to show up to register (re-register) to vote with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change documents or a passport. The only mechanism to vote would be in person with a government-issued photo i.d. The financial burden of all of this would fall onto the states.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed it (of course) but the U.S. Senate can’t get around the filibuster, hence Trump’s pique at Republican Senators who refuse to end the filibuster.

Now, let’s get back to the housing issue.

Last year, the Nevada Legislature passed a slew of bills which would have protected homeowners and renters. Republican governor Joe Lombardo vetoed them. One of the vetoes in the previous session protected private equity firms’ ability to buy up single family homes in Nevada neighborhoods and turn them into rental properties. This action, highly prevalent in certain neighborhoods, turns single family homes into rental units and drives up housing prices, thus acing out the average home buyer. In 2025, Lombardo successfully blocked it – killing it twice.

See a pattern here?

Our MAGA Republican president. Our MAGA Republican governor. Do you really think they care about affordability and the ever-increasing cost of housing?

Nope.

But they do care about the money-ed class. We have the proof.