Donald Trump celebró un mitin el domingo en Las Vegas, uno de los primeros desde que fue condenado por un jurado de Nueva York a finales del mes pasado. El expresidente hizo una parada en Silver State para tratar de influir en los votantes divididos, ya que encuestas recientes han mostrado que Trump tiene una ventaja sobre el presidente Joe Biden. Pero los grupos y líderes progresistas están convencidos de que una segunda presidencia de Trump sería perjudicial para Nevada. El representante estatal Howard Watts dice que muchas comunidades de Nevada ya están sintiendo los efectos del cambio climático, pero sólo un candidato presidencial lo ha convertido en una prioridad.

"El primer día, el presidente Biden se reincorporó al Acuerdo Climático de Paris del que Trump se retiró. Biden ha adoptado más de 320 medidas climáticas durante su mandato y nos ha encaminado hacia la reducción a la mitad de la contaminación climática para finales de esta década," enfatizó además Watts.

Watts asegura que en Nevada, estas acciones han dado lugar a nuevos proyectos de energía limpia, generando más de $12.000 millones en inversiones para el estado y creando casi 16.000 empleos. Señala que durante la presidencia de Trump, se revocaron más de 100 protecciones ambientales. Pero los votantes también están frustrados por otros temas -como la vivienda, la economía y la inmigración- y podrían buscar soluciones en Trump.

Jarrett Clark, del grupo "For Our Future Nevada", agrega que las elecciones presidenciales de este año podrían ser determinadas por los votantes de Nevada. Recuerda que al final de la presidencia de Trump, las familias de Nevada estaban luchando con los impactos de la pandemia y tambaleándose por el alto desempleo. Clark menciona los logros de Biden, como la Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista y la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación, como importantes para el Estado Plateado.

"Ya se están invirtiendo miles de millones de dólares en Nevada para construir proyectos de energía limpia, viviendas asequibles, carreteras e incluso trenes de alta velocidad, algo que hemos estado esperando aquí durante mucho tiempo. Algo que aún no ha sucedido en Estados Unidos y está sucediendo aquí mismo, en Silver State," insistió también Clark.

La ciudad de Las Vegas no tiene acceso al mar y cuenta con tierras públicas administradas por el gobierno federal, lo que impide el crecimiento de las comunidades suburbanas. A principios de este año, los líderes de Nevada, incluido el gobernador republicano Joe Lombardo, pidieron a la administración Biden que permitiera a la Oficina de Administración de Tierras liberar algunos terrenos para permitir más desarrollo de viviendas para satisfacer las demandas.


get more stories like this via email

With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


get more stories like this via email

A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


get more stories like this via email

A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of government office in Western states, including Wyoming.

The training is part of the Grassroots Democracy Program under the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a group organizing in rural parts of the West and includes Wyoming's Powder River Basin Resource Council.

Gwen Lachelt, political director for the group, said the series will help answer a broad range of questions.

"Everything from, 'Am I ready to run for office? How do I organize my campaign?' To, 'how do I govern, and how can I be an effective elected official?'" Lachelt explained.

As of Friday, Lachelt noted about 50 people had signed up for the training. Registration is still open until the event starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Lachelt added she is seeing a lot of interest in running for office from people of all age groups and all backgrounds. She emphasized the group hopes to connect with Westerners who care about natural resources.

"Our goal is to build a bench of elected officials across our regions who will champion democracy and also work to protect the West's land, air, and water," Lachelt stressed.

Guest speakers at the event include Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, who is the House Minority Leader, and Kevin Williams, a board member of Colorado's Delta-Montrose Electric Association.


get more stories like this via email