Governor Shows Strong Support
Governor Joe Lombardo has thrown his full support behind a proposal that would force Nevada lawmakers to follow the same open government rules they created for everyone else.
On Wednesday, the governor posted on social media:
“If local governments and the executive branch are subject to open records laws, the Legislature should be too. I fully support AJR3, Nevadans deserve transparency from every branch of their government,”
The proposal he’s backing is Assembly Joint Resolution 3 (AJR3), introduced by Republican Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama of Las Vegas. This constitutional amendment would make the legislature subject to the same public records and open meeting laws that apply to other government bodies across the state.
If local governments and the executive branch are subject to open records laws, the Legislature should be too.
I fully support AJR3, Nevadans deserve transparency from every branch of their government.https://t.co/P6e5LVNULQ
— Joe Lombardo (@JoeLombardoNV) March 26, 2025
Why This Matters to Conservatives
For folks who believe in limited government, transparency is a powerful check on power. When lawmakers can hide their actions from the public, government tends to grow bigger and spend more of your tax dollars with less accountability.
This resolution goes straight to the heart of conservative principles – that government officials work for the people, not the other way around. When lawmakers exempt themselves from rules they create for others, it’s a perfect example of the “rules for thee but not for me” attitude that frustrates so many voters.
The Nevada Legislature currently enjoys a special carve-out from the state’s public records laws. They passed these laws acknowledging they would “foster democratic principles by providing members of the public with prompt access” to government records – but then conveniently exempted themselves.
What’s in the Resolution
Looking at AJR3’s text, the proposed amendment would specifically:
- Make lawmakers follow the same public records laws as other government agencies
- Require timely responses to record requests from the press and public
- Force legislators to publicly disclose any relationship they or family members have with entities receiving state money
- Require regular publication of potential conflicts of interest
- Make the legislature subject to the same Open Meeting Law as other public bodies
There are some exceptions – personnel files, legislative audits, and security information would remain confidential. But overall, it would be a major step toward equal treatment under the law.
The Path Forward
The joint resolution must pass both houses of the legislature with a majority vote this session. Then it sits until the next legislative session in 2027, when it would need to pass again. If successful, voters would get the final say at the ballot box.
With the Governor’s backing and support from the Nevada Open Government Coalition, the $64,000 question is whether Democratic leadership will allow it to move forward for a full vote.
Some critics might argue that legislative work requires greater privacy or that transparency could slow down the lawmaking process. But these arguments fall flat when you consider that other government entities manage to function while following these same rules. If city councils and state agencies can operate in the sunshine, there’s no reason the legislature can’t do the same.
The public’s right to know how their representatives vote, what influences them, and how they spend tax dollars isn’t a partisan issue – it’s a fundamental principle of good government that conservatives have long championed.
After all, what do lawmakers have to hide?
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
