Ballot Battleground: Nevada is a show where we take deep dives into the issues, people, policies and debates shaping Nevada politics in our critical swing state...
Are Nevada leaders doing enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? With the Guinn Center
A fast-growing state, lagging incomes and a limited supply of developable land created an affordable housing crisis in Nevada before the pandemic hit. Supply chain constraints and construction costs experienced during COVID-19 only exacerbated the issue.
In the pandemic's wake, have our elected leaders done enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? What's it going to take to put Nevada on a sustainable path to boost housing supply into the foreseeable future? And are our leaders pushing the right buttons or advancing limited solutions?
The nonpartisan Guinn Center recently released the report on housing affordability in Nevada. This episode, the center's executive director Jill Tolles and one of the authors Dr. Nic Irwin join host Ben Margiott to take a deep dive on housing affordability in the Silver State.
Full report: Housing Affordability in Nevada: An Economic Analysis and Policy Considerations
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
35:00
Uprise Fiber internet scandal - where is the $9 million? With News 4 evening anchor Joe Hart
Residents of a small Nevada town were promised high-speed fiber internet from Reno-based Uprise Fiber. Nearly 3 years later, there is no progress whatsoever and $9 million allocated to the project by the state is missing. Now, investigations have been launched and the story has shifted to the Nevada legislature. The story may not have been uncovered and certainly would not have received the amount of attention it has if not for the dogged efforts of KRNV News 4 evening anchor and investigative reporter Joe Hart. This episode, host Ben Margiott and Joe walk listeners through the Uprise Fiber scandal from the start. How did this happen? Who is to blame? Are the people responsible being held accountable? And how can the state put in safeguards to prevent this from happening again?
Uprise owner resigns from family business amid News 4 investigation into missing funds
Probe launched as $9.1M Lovelock internet plan unravels, raising accountability worries
Nevada senator raises alarm over missing $9 million in fiber optic project
'We're done,' staffer abruptly ends interview with News 4 over failed fiber optic project
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
36:39
Eggs, Daylight Saving Time and Medicaid: What’s happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislative session?
What's happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislature? From a fast-tracked egg prices bill and ending Daylight Saving Time to possible Medicaid cuts, there's been a flurry of activity recently after a few slow weeks to start. One month in, we thought it would be a great time to check in on the biggest debates of the 83rd session with two of the best legislative reporters.
The Nevada Independent's Tabitha Mueller and Nevada Public Radio's Paul Boger join host Ben Margiott for another remote podcast inside the legislative building in Carson City to get you up to speed on the first month of #nvleg.
Don't know how the Nevada legislature works? Listen to our last episode: Nevada Legislature 101 with veteran lobbyist Will Adler
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
36:09
Nevada Legislature 101 with veteran lobbyist Will Adler
The clock is ticking at the 83rd session of the Nevada legislature, which kicked off last week in Carson City. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the session, we wanted to start with an approachable, easy-to-understand primer for people who are brand new to #nvleg. How does our unusual citizen legislature work? How does a bill become a law? And how does the building really operate?
Veteran lobbyist Will Adler, principal of Silver State Government Relations, joins host Ben Margiott for a laid-back Silver State civics class. Ben and Will explain the ins and outs of the Nevada legislature in simple terms for people who are interested in following the process for the first time.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
38:42
Gov. Joe Lombardo's former chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer on his second State of the State speech
Welcome back to season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada! We'll kick off season 2 with a deep dive on the first major political event of the odd years in Nevada politics - the Governor's State of the State address.
That speech sets the stage for what's to come in the upcoming legislative session. This week, we have the perfect guest to give us some insight - former Lombardo chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer.
Kieckhefer has worn many hats over his years in Nevada politics — Associated Press reporter, Reno-area Senator and Nevada Gaming Commission member, just to name a few.
This week, Ben joins host Ben Margiott to chat about what the governor hoped to accomplish in his State of the State address, his 2025 legislative priorities, the structural budget errors and Lombardo's governing strategy.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ballot Battleground: Nevada is a show where we take deep dives into the issues, people, policies and debates shaping Nevada politics in our critical swing state. Many voters find themselves confused or overwhelmed when they walk into the voting booth. Our goal is to explain the issues that matter most to everyday Nevadans so they're fully informed before casting their ballot.
Listen to Ballot Battleground: Nevada, The Find Out Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
USA