Former Nevada Assemblywoman Annie Black joins Alan Stock on Nevada News & Views Thursday to discuss Nevada politics, education reform, and cultural pushback against “woke” policies.
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Alan Stock 00:00
Good morning! Great to be with you on this Thursday morning — and you know what that means: it’s Nevada News & Views Thursday.
If you want smart commentary and solid information, check out NevadaNewsAndViews.com — great stories about Clark County, Nevada, and the nation. They’ve got top-notch writers and the best insight around.
Joining us this morning is Annie Black — former Mesquite City Councilwoman and former Nevada State Assemblywoman — to talk about a new project she’s launching. Annie, how you doing?
Annie Black 00:44
I’m doing great! This is my favorite day of the week because I get to hang out with you. How are you?
Alan Stock 00:49
That’s very kind. I’m doing great — except for a few mosquito bites!
Let’s talk about this petition you’ve put together. You’re asking people to urge the Governor to include school choice in the special legislative session that’s coming up.
First question: do you know when that session’s going to be held?
Annie Black 01:16
I don’t. I’ve heard November, but no date yet. I know it won’t be on Veterans Day — the Governor’s the grand marshal in the Las Vegas Veterans Day Parade — but beyond that, no one knows.
Alan Stock 01:32
Right. So, what exactly does your petition ask the Governor to do?
Annie Black 01:46
We’re simply asking him to put school choice — the Education Savings Account bill — on the special-session agenda.
Polls show about 82 percent of Nevada parents support it when it’s explained properly. Nevada ranks near the bottom in education, and parents deserve options.
Alan Stock 02:19
Exactly. Every poll I’ve seen says the same thing — support across the board: every race, religion, gender, income level. People want better schools for their kids.
Remember, the ESA program passed back in 2015, but Governor Sandoval and the Republican legislature raised taxes instead of funding it — the largest tax increase in state history. Now, Governor Lombardo supports school choice, but with a Democrat legislature, what are the odds of it passing?
Annie Black 03:33
Honestly, not great. But that’s fine — let’s get Democrats on record voting against school choice.
It’s a popular issue that crosses all party lines. If they vote it down, we can remind voters next election.
Plus, it moves the Overton Window — what seems impossible today can become reality a few years from now. We have to start the conversation.
Alan Stock 04:14
The Governor says he’s calling the special session because the legislature didn’t finish its work. Democrats want film-studio tax credits, which I actually support — thousands of jobs for Nevada, especially in the south.
But if I were the Governor, I’d make it a package deal: film credits and funding for school choice and his crime bill, which they also refused to pass.
Annie Black 04:59
Exactly. Conservatives and plenty of moderates like the film credit idea, but if the Governor offers a fair deal — crime bill, school choice, and film incentives — and Democrats still say no, it exposes them.
He can show he tried to compromise, and they chose politics over progress.
Alan Stock 05:38
Right — cutting off their nose to spite their face. The Governor’s saying, “Can’t we all just get along?” and Democrats are saying, “No, we’ve got the majority.”
Voters need to remember this next year. People focus on the Governor’s race, the Senate, the presidency — but state legislators matter just as much. Without a better legislature, Lombardo can’t pass anything.
Annie Black 06:40
Maybe he’s got a plan we don’t know about. I hope so. But if not, and all we do is pass the film credit, that’s a waste of time.
Alan Stock 06:50
We’ll find out tomorrow morning — Governor Joe Lombardo will be my guest on Vegas at 8. We’ll see what he’s got up his sleeve.
Your petition’s great, Annie. Where can people find it?
Annie Black 07:13
Go to AnnieBlack.com — that’s A-N-N-I-E Black dot com.
Or just Google “Annie Black school choice petition” — it’ll pop right up.
Alan Stock 07:26
And rumor has it you’re thinking about running for office again?
Annie Black 07:31
I’m thinking about it. The Republican caucus recommended someone else for my old seat — my name didn’t make the list, which is odd since I’ve already held it! But that’s politics.
We’ll see what happens with the session and the petition. You never know what’s next.
Alan Stock 08:01
Seems like some Republicans want people who are more “pliable,” willing to compromise every which way. You’re out there fighting — and that’s a good thing! Sometimes the party’s strong; sometimes it’s like overcooked mashed potatoes.
Annie Black 08:28
(Laughs) Yeah. As my friend and mentor Chuck Muth always says, “Be the opposition party, not the minority party.”
Every time I took the floor, spoke up, took off my mask, or challenged Democrats, people noticed. Even if we didn’t win every issue, voters respect someone who fights. That’s what matters.
Alan Stock 09:07
Exactly. We want you to fight — and win. Annie Black with us on Nevada News & Views Thursday.
And speaking of that — if you want solid commentary on Clark County, Nevada, and beyond, head to NevadaNewsAndViews.com. Great writers, great reporting, great leadership from Chuck Muth and his team.
Now, Annie, you wrote a great column this week about NBC News laying off 150 people — finally cutting back on their DEI divisions — and you called it “throwing off the woke yoke.” Tell us about that.
Annie Black 10:32
Yeah — NBC let go about 150 members of its DEI teams. So now they’re all equally unemployed — that’s some DEI I can support!
Seriously though, it’s happening everywhere. People are tired of programs that divide instead of unite.
And when you see stories like a white woman stabbed on a train, or conservative voices like Charlie Kirk attacked, people start realizing that these so-called “equity” policies aren’t making anyone safer or more equal. It’s pushing folks too far.
Alan Stock 11:21
Exactly. And bringing it back to Nevada — Democrats here are still doubling down on woke policies. One example: the transgender locker-room issue.
They want to allow biological males in girls’ locker rooms and restrooms. I’d say 80 percent of Nevadans oppose that kind of insanity.
Annie Black 12:16
Right. And we’ve seen girls get hurt in sports because of it — even paralyzed in some cases — from being forced to compete against biological males. It’s wrong on every level.
Alan Stock 12:33
Exactly. And then they say, “You’re not being fair to him — it makes him feel bad.” Meanwhile, the girls are embarrassed and unsafe. How’s that fair?
Annie Black 12:57
It’s not. But people are waking up. For a while they just went along to get along. Now they’re saying, “No more.” It’s ridiculous, and they’re finally calling it out.
Alan Stock 13:11
That’s why I brought it up — it’s part of the same pendulum swing. Politics went hard left after 2020, peaked around 2021, and now the pendulum’s swinging back to common sense.
And folks like you are helping make that happen by writing and speaking out.
Tomorrow I’ll ask Governor Lombardo about his plans for the special session — we’ll see if school choice and crime legislation make the cut.
Annie Black 14:02
I’ll be listening! If anyone can get answers, it’s you.
Alan Stock 14:08
Annie Black — former Nevada State Assemblywoman and one of the contributors to NevadaNewsAndViews.com.
Always great having you on. Stay safe, keep fighting, and we’ll talk soon.
Annie Black 14:29
Sounds good. Have a great week!
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
