Nevada’s early and mail-in voting runs Oct. 22-Nov. 4 in advance of the Nov. 8 general election, and LEAN is prepared to endorse two of the three State Questions that, if passed, would alter current Nevada State Constitution language.
After careful consideration, and guided by the ELCA Social Messages and Statements, LEAN advocate Bill Ledford and the LEAN policy board strongly endorse Question 1, which would expand language guaranteeing equal rights to all. We also endorse, with certain understandings and acknowledgements, Question 2, which simplifies language that makes $12 per hour the minimum wage in Nevada beginning in 2024.
In keeping with Nevada Constitution-enshrined process, should Questions 1 and 2 pass, they would become law. Question 3, an initiative petition that promises changing the state’s primary voting process, would return to the ballot in 2024 should it pass legislative muster as a bill during the 2023 session. LEAN remains neutral on Question 3 since it deals directly with how candidates would be elected.
Here is the condensed language Question 1 as presented on the official ballot:
Senate Joint Resolution No. of the 80th Session:
Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended by adding a specific guarantee that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this State or any of its cities, counties, or other political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin?
This question earns LEAN’s strong endorsement for a “YES” vote. Its language reflects scriptural tenets of justice, fairness, mercy, social equality, and equal protection under the law – the very beliefs Jesus lived by, through word and action, as written in the gospels and acted upon throughout the New Testament, most powerfully in texts such as Matthew 25, which remains LEAN’s guiding scripture. And it fits into the parameters put forth in the ELCA’s Social Message on Human Rights.
Here is the condensed language Question 2 as presented on the official ballot:
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 10 of the 80th Session:
Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended, effective July 1, 2024, to: (1) establish the State’s minimum wage that employers must pay to certain employees at a rate of $12 per hour worked, subject to any applicable increases above that $12 rate provided by federal law or enacted by the Nevada Legislature; (2) remove the existing provisions setting different rates for the minimum wage based on whether the employer offers certain health benefits to such employees; and (3) remove the existing provisions for adjusting the minimum wage based on applicable increases in the cost of living?
This question deals with a constitutional change that LEAN has advocated for in the past: Increasing Nevada’s minimum wage to a livable, viable level. Though we believe that $12 per hour is still inadequate given ongoing cost of living challenges for Nevada workers and families, and indeed represents a legislative compromise in the two most recent sessions, it is far better than the $10.50 per hour currently enshrined in the Nevada State Constitution ($9.50 for those whose employer offers health insurance benefits). And though the minimum wage is already slated to increase to $12 in 2024, this Question’s passage would remove the language maintaining Nevada’s current tiered structure, which allows employers to pay a dollar less per hour if they also offer health insurance. We believe that simplifying the language to put all employees at the $12 level — with the ability for the legislature to raise the wage in the future, either on their own or in keeping with federal guidelines — is ultimately beneficial to workers and their families.
However, LEAN endorses a yes vote on Question 2 with the understanding that it is, by its nature and in keeping with state law, a more “permanent” change since it is indeed enshrined at the Constitutional level. We also understand that the law would be altered, as expressed in part 3 of Question 2, to remove language allowing for automatic cost of living increases. In the final analysis, we see this a plus for workers and families, since it would take nearly a decade for cost-of-living adjustments currently provided by the Nevada Constitution to exceeed the $12 per hour minimum. With that language removed, the mimimum wage could be raised sooner and more effectively.
Again, early voting runs Oct. 22-Nov. 4. Completed ballots can also be mailed up to and including election day, as long as the are postmarked by Nov. 8 and arrive at the country registar of voter’s office within four days of election day. They can also be dropped off at any early voting location or at your county’s main office.
If you are a first-time Nevada voter or need to update your voter registration, visit www.RegisterToVote.NV.gov.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN), a faith-based organization that represents Nevada’s ELCA congregations at the Nevada State Legislature by advocating for fair, equitable laws that protect and champion the state’s underserved populations, seeks to expand its volunteer Advisory Board before the next Nevada Legislature biannual session begins in February 2023.
Since its inception in the late 1990s as Lutheran Advocacy & Ministry in Nevada, and now as LEAN, the organization works with a contracted, registered “advocate” who follows each legislative session’s docket of potential bills, known as Bill Draft Requests (BDRs), and full-fledged proposed legislation through every stage of the legislative process. LEAN’s current advocate, Bill Ledford, is preparing for the 2023 session with direct and regular input from the organization’s Advisory Board, which meets monthly to set advocacy goals, discuss expected and introduced legislative bills and vote to either advocate for the passage or dismissal of legislation based on ELCA Social Statement guidelines. During off years, the LEAN Advisory Board continues to meet monthly to discuss general business and budgeting, event planning, and initiatives such as its recent “Living With Hunger” project. Supported solely by donations from the Grand Canyon Synod and Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA, and donations from congregations and individual believers,
LEAN has long built its advocacy foundation on Matthew 25 in the New Testament, specifically verses 35-40: “…‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” It has a 25-year-plus record of advocating for legislation that helps Nevadans who don’t have the voice or power to advocate for themselves, including minority and disabled populations, prison inmates returning to society, sex trafficking victims, the unsheltered, the hungry, the uninsured or underinsured, families in need and many others.
Time commitment is minimal for LEAN’s Advisory Board — one one-hour meeting per month maximum (with potentially fewer meetings in legislative session off-years), along with occasional participation in special advocacy events or fundraisers. There is no fee or cost to join the Board for a three-year term, with the option to stay on for an additional term. LEAN is interested in attracting a mix of rostered clergy and laypersons as potential Board members.
If you have a passion for advocacy work and making a difference for Nevadans from a faith-based perspective, please consider joining us. To volunteer or for more information, please send an email of inquiry to leanforjustice@gmail.com.
Supported Legislation Puts ELCA Social Statements Into Action
When the 2021 Nevada Legislature convened for its biennial, 120-day session in early February, the world was still in the throes of a deadly pandemic. Much of “normal” life was still months away. Most churches still worshipped online. Millions of Americans were out of work, in danger of losing their housing, and searching for the way forward. State legislators stared at huge fiscal holes, deep social fissures, and freshly exposed tears in the social safety net.
Thanks to a series of congressional stimulus packages, the fiscal alarms subsided as winter gave way to spring, which helped reorient Nevada’s assembly and senate toward addressing some of those rips in the fabric of society, many ignored for decades. And that gave the advocate and policy council for Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada (LEAN) plenty of opportunity to lend its support to legislation that would change Nevadans’ lives for the better.
Guided by the ELCA’s Social Statements and Social Messages, LEAN identified more than 30 active, sponsored bills to follow through the legislative process, with advocate Bill Ledford voicing support, strong support or opposition during virtual committee meetings – where the real “sausage” is made via amendment and debate – conducted via Zoom.
Following are eleven LEAN-supported bills that passed both legislative chambers and have either been signed into law by Gov. Steve Sisolak, or are awaiting his signature, plus one important senate resolution that LEAN heartily endorsed – and one bill that went down to defeat with LEAN’s stated opposition. They are organized under four specific categories tied directly to the Statements. These bills highlight the good work LEAN is doing on behalf of Nevada’s ELCA congregations, and provide the opportunity for parishioners to discuss them, pass them along or use as inspiration to get involved in current community social concerns, and when the 2023 session approaches.
HUNGER, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Assembly Bill 62 (Passed) – Increases support for savings accounts for low-income citizens
AB 185 (Failed) – Rescinds minimum wage increases voted on last session (Opposed by LEAN)
Senate Bill 209 (Passed): Allows workers to use sick leave for any medical reason
SB420 (Passed): Establishes mechanism for creating a state public healthcare option
VOTER ACCESS
AB321 (Passed) – Establishes permanent law allowing for mail-in ballots in every election
AB422 (Passed) – Creates a modern centralized voter registration database, helping assure accurate information across all agencies and assuring both voter access and legal eligibility
JUSTICE REFORM
AB158 (Passed) – Lessens penalties of minors offending via alcohol and cannabis, and moves policy from punishment to counseling
AB186 (Passed) – Prohibits Police quotas for citations and arrests, and personnel evaluations based on such
AB396 (Passed) – Restricts cases of police “justifiable homicide” to uniform standards
SB50 – (Passed) — Restricts the legal conditions allowing for no-knock warrants
RACIAL AND GENDER JUSTICE & EQUITY
AB157 (Passed) – Penalizes public use of calling police to infringe on others’ rights
SB327 (Passed) – Adds language to anti-discrimination laws to include racial hair styles
SCR5 (Passed) – Urges certain actions to address the public health crisis in Nevada (systemic racism)
To read either the full text of each piece of legislation, or its digest, click on the live link for each bill.
On Feb. 7, three days after the 2019 Nevada Legislative Session convened in Carson City, LEAN hosted an informal open house luncheon for legislators, staff and church clergy and representatives from around the state.
The event, which was held in the Capitol Building, offered an opportunity for Grand Canyon and Sierra Pacific Synod members and clergy to meet with state assembly and senate members, offer their hopes for the new biennial session and express how their faith informs their interactions with government.
Rev. Deborah Hutterer, Bishop for the Grand Canyon Synod, gave an impassioned keynote address centered on why the ELCA’s published and nationally recognized Social Statements are at the center of LEAN’s efforts, represented personally in this year’s session by Advocate Bill Ledford.
Following is the text of Rev. Hutterer’s address.
Rev. Deborah Hutterer
A caveat to this talk today. I have been in my position for six
months and the learning curve has been high. And I also come at this from a
position of humility. There are some of you who know far more than I do and so
if you hear something that is not right, please let me know.
It was late in the afternoon of December 23, 2010. My
husband, 55 years old, had been diagnosed with ALS at the end of September,
just three months earlier; he went to reach for the cribbage board, lost his
balance and hit the hardwood floor.
He passed out, his head was bleeding. I called 911 and he
was taken to the hospital. It was the first time either of us had ever spent
Christmas Eve in a hospital. He was hospitalized for two weeks. The only way he
could be discharged to come home was if I could find a hospital bed an electric
wheelchair and 24-hour care. None of this was covered by insurance.
We weren’t sure what we were going to do as this disease had
been progressing faster than either of us could possibly imagine. I am grateful
to the ALS association who helped us with equipment we could have never been
able to afford and yet was necessary. I am grateful for family and friends who
helped fill in the round the clock support, so I could go to work and keep the
health insurance.
While we were very fortunate to have health insurance, we
knew that if he was unable to stay at home and had to go to a skilled care
facility, depending on how long he needed to stay, we could lose everything
that we had spent our lives working for. There were days we wondered what the
future held and if our resources ran out.
We were one of many who worry about health care costs.
A pastor who serves in Las Vegas as a hospice chaplain
shared some insights with me around this topic of end of life. He is daily mortified
by the limitations placed on patients and families with low incomes to have to
rely on Medicaid — or not being able to find beds in skilled care facilities
because of the low allocation of resources to this program both federally and
on the state-wide level.
Having a loved one with a terminal illness and the strain of
coping with that loss is hard enough under any circumstances, but the added
duress and uncertainty makes the experience worse.
I know far too many people who have felt the strain,
confusion, and frustration of navigating our medical system and the resulting
anger and guilt has inhibited people from finding the peace they need with the
situation.
Lutheran pastors have first-hand experience with the lack of
mental health resources for people with lower incomes. So often they must work
with clients who have issues beyond the scope of what pastors can do in grief
recovery and support.
Individuals who need access to mental health resources often
face long wait times and poor service at public mental health centers. These
resources need to be improved.
As a pastor in Las Vegas wrote: “All I have is the agony and
frustration I’ve heard from many people about trying to get the help they need
at difficult times. Working in a community organization that strives to do the
right thing can feel incredibly lonely.”
Those who serve the church feel a sense of hopelessness and pain. I’m guessing that you feel asense a helplessness and pain as you see the system and know that reform is needed.
Healthcare is central to our well-being and our vital
relationships. Access to healthcare helps us to live out our vocations in our
family, work and community. Caring for our own health and the health of others
expresses love for our neighbor and it is our responsibility for a just
society.
In Nevada, love for neighbor and justice would be all people
having access to quality and affordable healthcare in their communities through
federally funded health centers, home delivered meals, Medicaid waivers and
reimbursement rates.
Health care reform is but one of many issues before the
Nevada Legislative body this session.
WHAT IS THE ELCA?
I am Bishop Deborah Hutterer. I was elected by our church
body to serve in this role and I’m in my sixth month. For those of you who are
new, perhaps you aware like I am about how much there is to learn. And getting
to spend time with you is one my learnings.
Today I stand before you as a bishop who, like you, cares
about our common good and our neighbors—especially our neighbors who do not
have a voice or who can be easily overlooked. I represent Lutherans from the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in the Grand Canyon Sybnod that includes
the Southern half of Nevada, all of Arizona and St. George, Utah. The Grand Canyon
Synod represents about 100 worship communities, as well as Lutheran Social
Services of Nevada.
There are 65 bishops in the United States. Bishop Mark
Holmerud from Sierra Pacific Synod represents Lutheran churches in the northern
half of Nevada—and has had the privilege to be with this esteemed body.
There are a few Lutheran brands. I am attached to the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “Evangelical” means “good news.” There
are 3.5 million ELCA Lutherans in the United States. One thing that separates
us from the other major Lutheran group, LCMS, is that the ELCA ordain women.
A MESSAGE FOR LEGISLATORS
From its inception, Lutherans have seen God active in the
world. God’s activity includes government laws, good order, and the belief that
Christians can serve in government roles. Government service to God, however
you construe God, is service to neighbor. For that time in history it was
startling because government was seen as something to be held at arms length,
corrupt and irredeemable. ELCA sees your service as essential to serving
neighbor.
I want to thank you for your tireless work in representing
the people of Nevada and working for the common good.
Some of the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America who serve in Nevada are here today. Like me, they have met far too many
children, women and men who don’t feel like they have a voice or access to this
place of government, especially in the areas of health care reform, judicial
reform and pay day lending. Many of our pastors and congregation members are
advocates for systemic change; they also see the church as part of the
community. In addition to worship, church doors are open to host community
meals and provide education. One of our churches in Pahrump just started a
Bible study in the detention center. There are some pastors who have been
knocking on doors and inviting others to do the same to get out the vote—not
telling people who to vote for but to encourage voting. They believe and support
the good work you do on behalf of the people and see that participation in the
process is essential. Lutherans Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada have been at
this work for quite a few years now. Together you did some incredible work last
year for anti-sex trafficking. Thank you.
FAITH AND THE SOCIAL CONTRACT
Many of our Nevada churches also partner with Lutheran
Social Services of Nevada. This social service agency primarily serves in the
Las Vegas area. Their mission is to express the love of Christ by serving and
caring for people.
LSS-NV is a trusted grassroots nonprofit. Dedicated
volunteers started the agency many years ago by providing food and clothing to
our community members. It has since grown to become known for its diverse
services. With a limited staff and many volunteers LSS-NV serve low- income,
at-risk of homelessness, homeless, families with or without children, youth,
veterans, people with disabilities, and senior citizens.
Since 1996, over 210,000 individuals have been cared for by
the agency. One of their cutting edge services is Digi-Mart. It is an online
grocery style food pantry, where individuals shop on line for bread, fresh
vegetables, fruit, meats, dairy, and non-perishable food items. LSS offers
classes to help them think more creatively about ingredients and eat healthier.
As a bishop I have a pastoral role and I am the leader of
this faith community in the state. I am here to build a relationship through
this opportunity.
Like me, you have been elected, but you have also called to
this work to provide structure and safeguards for those who suffer. We need
leaders like you who can focus on our neighbors who suffer from hunger, poverty
and other ills.
From time to time people will tell me that I have a
thankless job. From my perspective—it is this way for legislators at time where
people are cynical and hardened about government. I can only imagine the
challenge to represent all people in Nevada when there are many constituencies.
THE PAYDAY LENDING PROBLEM
One of the areas that affects many of your constituents is
the payday lending industry. It has a wide reach and great impact on Nevada
families, especially those in the poorest neighborhoods. Payday lending traps
people in a vicious and downward spiraling debt cycle.
Did you there are more payday lending stores in Nevada than
the number of McDonalds and Starbucks stores combined! They make money easy and
accessible and individuals find themselves trapped.
If you needed money, where would you go? You might go to your
family but I’ve discovered in my line of work that people would rather talk
about their sex life than money. Money is so personal—many keep it secretive.
Even in their relationships.
Mike B lives in Las Vegas. He is 48 years old and a gambler.
He would cash his paycheck and then go to the casino. One day he lost his
entire paycheck and knew he could not go home to his wife empty handed. As he
considered his options—he had no friends or family that he could ask about this
embarrassing situation. But he had driven by many pay day loan places. Rather
than face the wrath of his wife, he made his first stop into payday loan store.
Showing his driver’s license, paystub and signing the
paperwork he got his first $1,200. It was so easy. He had a great income so getting
money was no problem. In fact he discovered that he could go to multiple pay
day lending places and no one asked if he had any other paydays loans.
With high interest rates he learned the loans were not easy
to pay off. He knew if he got home before his wife, she’d never see the mail.
And he could keep his secret. As with most secrets, one day his wife got home
before he did and in the mail was a notice for payment.
She thought this had to be wrong, so she called the company
to find out what was going on. And it all came tumbling out. Mike says while he
was embarrassed—he was a smart guy. Had a great job. Had a nice house, but he
was trapped. His wife finding was a huge relief. He was caught in an endless
cycle and did not know the way out.
Mike B. says matter of factly, “this won’t stop. The
industry is too big.” In some ways we could agree this business does fill a
purpose. However, these are also predatory business practices that victimize
people.
So I advocate in support of the two Bill Draft Requests.
BRD 568 would enhance and enforce existing regulations on
payday lenders that both lenders and people seeking loans seem to skirt around.
One common problem is that a person, like Mike, get a payday loan and is unable
to pay it back and will seek out a payday loan from another place to pay off
the first and compounding their debt. This bill would make that nearly
impossible to do.
BRD 621 would enact a 36% interest rate cap. This still may
seem high, but 18 other states and DC have enacted as it stems from the
Military Lending Act. This is a place where Arizona has passed legislation and
set the interest cap at 36%. I advocate that Nevada follow suit.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
If these two topics for reform weren’t enough on their own,
there is also the criminal justice system. I don’t have much to say, but we all
know it needs reform. Working together we can change systems for changes in
prison re-entry.
I recently read that a panel of Nevada criminal justice
leaders is forwarding to the Legislature a package of 25 recommendations that
those in the know say could save the state $640 million in prison costs over
the next decade if enacted.
The proposals came after the Boston-based Crime and Justice
Institute spent about six months poring over state data to pinpoint why
Nevada’s prison population grew almost 700 percent since 1980, while the general
population has grown by about 250 percent over that same period.
It’s not just a financial matter,
it is a justice matter. I would urge any changes for reform be applied drug
treatment, post-incarceration reentry services. Anything that could prevent
crime and recidivism.
THE CHURCH AS CONSTITUENCY
The ELCA is an active church. We have many social statements that seek justice and care for those who can be overlooked. We invite you to visit with us on these issues. ELCA churches in this state are sources of expertise around hunger, poverty, human need and you can tap us as resources. We want to support you and your work. It has been a part of our history.
Every pastor I know became a pastor because they felt a
call, they couldn’t not answer it despite all of the reasons why it makes sense
to do something else. And, I’m guessing that is your experience. Despite the
cynicism, and public mistrust and putting your lives out for all to judge, you
couldn’t ignore the call to serve and to make your county or this state a
better place to live. So thank you for letting me be here today. Thank you for
your service. For your thoughtfulness. For weighing matters of public good and
individual gain.
God does good through you, and we keep you in our prayers.
How did LEAN fare as an advocate for social justice and fairness during the 2015 session of the Nevada Legislature? Our advocate, Rev. Mike Patterson, submitted the attached spreadsheet showing all final bills both advocated and strongly opposed by LEAN and its constituents. Click on the link below to download and view.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada 