LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Assembly will not permit telephonic testimony for Assembly hearings during the Special Session per a variety of sources. This is a serious shift away from public comment processes established over the last several sessions and creates a variety of accessibility and inclusion issues as the body considers major policy issues with enormous financial consequences for Nevadans. The last-minute decision, which has remained largely unannounced, highlights serious transparency and accountability issues within the Nevada Legislature.
Numerous Nevada civil rights and community advocacy organizations condemned the decision, including New Day Nevada, Battle Born Progress, Institute for a Progressive Nevada, Silver State Voices, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Nevada State Education Association, Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, Native Voters Alliance of Nevada, Fines and Fees Justice Center, Make the Road Nevada, Silver State Equality, Nevada Conservation League, Make It Work Nevada, Clark County and Washoe County Public Defenders, Mass Liberation, Care In Action, National Domestic Workers Alliance, SEIU Local 1107, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Nevada Women's Lobby, AFSCME Retirees Chapter 4041, Nevada NOW, All Voting is Local Action, RISE Nevada, Las Vegas Democratic Socialists of America.
ACLU of Nevada executive director Athar Haseebullah said:
“This decision is not simply problematic because it was not provided to stakeholders, community members, and others in advance of today’s special session, but also because it silences the voices of so many working-class people statewide who are required to work during hearing hours. This decision undermines the same principles of accessibility and participatory democracy that Assembly Democrats have purported to champion. If this is truly the people’s house, we would encourage Assembly Democrats to reverse course and take the people’s phone calls.”
Battle Born Progress executive director Shelbie Swartz said:
“Refusing to allow phone testimony is deeply concerning for a body that can only adequately perform its function with public participation. This decision will leave out everyday Nevadans: working-class neighbors who can’t leave their jobs at 2 p.m., rural residents who can’t drive hundreds of miles, people with disabilities who rely on remote access, and many others are effectively being told their voices count less if they cannot physically appear in one of two buildings. You cannot truly claim to represent the people while limiting one of the only practical ways many Nevadans can participate. Our communities deserve to have their concerns heard and their participation respected. Upholding accessible public input is essential to the democratic values this body is committed to protecting.”
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