Powerline: April 7, 2023

• Bus driver shortage continues to plague school district (Nevada Appeal) Featuring comments from NSEA Executive Director Brian Lee

• Medication prices could be capped under proposed Nevada bill (Review Journal) Groups including the Nevada State Education Association, Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada and SEIU 1107 also spoke in support of the bill.

Click below to read our memos and/or watch the video testimony

• Senate Bill 339 (Amend)

  • NSEA has been supportive of the School Supply Reimbursement Account in previous years and supports its reinstatement. We ask that it be expanded to all classroom educators who use their own funds to purchase supplies, including paraprofessionals and other licensed education professionals.

• Senate Bill 313 (Amend)

  • NSEA appreciates the importance of mental health education and the intent of SB313; however, we are seeking amendments and clarifications to bill language related to requirements for teacher licensure.

• Senate Bill 340 (Support)

  •  Last session, NSEA supported SB173 to create meaningful summer school programs to address the missed opportunities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its focus on education equity. SB340 represents a continuation of this important work.

• Assembly Bill 250 (Support)

  • NSEA is In support of Assembly Bill 250 to ensure that all residents have access to affordable prescriptions.

• Assembly Bill 332 (Support)

  • NSEA spoke in support of AB332 to implement consumer protections for education loan borrowers. Almost half of current educators have taken on student debt to enter the profession. This keeps too many talented young people out of the profession and can push out those who do enter.

• Assembly Bill 323 (Support - No Memo)

  • NSEA supports AB323 related to recruitment of teachers and other licensed educational personnel.

• Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (No Memo)

  • NSEA Supports AJR 5 to establish a Nevada State Lottery to fund youth mental health and education 

• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 7 (No Memo)

  • NSEA supports ACR 7 to conduct a study regarding wealth taxes during the 2023-2024 interim.

• Senate Bill 282 (Support)

  • NSEA supports SB282, as introduced, due to language in Sect. 1 of the bill clarifying selection of staff shall be done in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. However, NSEA believes language contained in SB251 (on this same topic) is far stronger.

• Senate Bill 291 (Support)

  • NSEA spoke in support of SB291 to remove the 4 week requirement for student teachers to be employed as long term substitutes. Yesterday, we also spoke in support of AB323 to contemplate payment for student teachers; perhaps these ideas could be harmonized

• Senate Bill 438 (Support - No Memo)

  • While we focus quite a bit on retention, recruitment efforts like SB438 are also important. This bill replaces the Teach Nevada Scholarship Program with Teach Nevada Collaborative Account and adds teacher retention to the mission.

• Assembly Bill 296 (Support - No Memo)

  • NSEA supports AB 296 to limit the total amount of testing preparation to 2%.

• Senate Bill 425 (Amend)

  • SB425 creates the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education to develop a statewide vision and implementation plan to improve education. NSEA seeks amendments to the composition of the Commission to include a broader representation of school employees and to simplify the teacher appointment process.

• Assembly Joint Resolution 6

  • NSEA Supports Assembly Joint Resolution 6 to promote greater democracy. NSEA supported this language in previous years and we continue our support this session.

• Senate Bill 426

  • NSEA supports SB426 to stabilize rents, so working Nevadans can afford to live in their communities.

Save The Date

NSEA's Grassroots Task Force has set the big Time for 20 rally in Carson City, NV for May 17th, at 4:30pm. The rally will take place out front of the Nevada Legislative Building. Stay tuned for more details. 

Senate Bill 231 Falls Short

While NSEA appreciates the intent of Senate Bill 231 to deliver raises to Nevada educators, we have serious concerns about the bill as introduced. Here are our concerns: 

1. SB231 leaves behind a majority of Nevada school districts.
2. An unintended consequence of SB231 could be even larger class sizes.
3. SB231 literally leaves out thousands of educators who make our schools run. 
4. School district concern over the one-time nature of funds in SB231.
5. SB231 is another example of a flawed legislative process.
6. SB231 falls short of a stated goal of 10% raises as well as the 20% gold standard set in Time for 20.  

NSEA is working on alternate language to deliver raises to *every* Nevada educator. We're asking you to email the Senate, Assembly, and Governor and share your concerns. 

Click Here to Send a Letter

NSEA's BILL TRACKER