Democrats Block Phone Testimony, Sparking Bipartisan Outrage
Picture this: You’re a working mom in Ely who wants to speak up about a bill that affects your kids. You’re a trucker from Tonopah who can’t take a day off to drive to Carson City. You’re a senior citizen in Henderson who doesn’t drive anymore.
Too bad. The Nevada Assembly just told you to sit down and shut up.
In what can only be described as an outrageous attack on free speech, Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and Democratic leadership decided to block all telephonic testimony during Nevada’s 36th Special Session. No advance warning. No public discussion. Just a sudden decision that if you can’t physically show up in Carson City or Las Vegas, your voice doesn’t matter.
The Law Is Clear – Or Is It?
Here’s the kicker: Nevada law actually guarantees your right to public comment. NRS 241.021 specifically requires public bodies to take comments from the general public.
The statute says comments must be taken either at the beginning and end of meetings, or after each agenda item. Period. It doesn’t say “only if they can show up in person.”
Even more telling, NRS 241.020 requires that when meetings are held using remote technology systems, the notice must include information on how the public can “provide live public comment during the meeting.” The law recognizes that modern technology should make government more accessible, not less.
Yet somehow, Speaker Yeager decided the Assembly doesn’t need to follow the same rules as everyone else. While the Senate apparently hasn’t made the same restrictive decision, the Assembly has effectively told thousands of Nevadans their opinions don’t count.
Strange Bedfellows Miss the Mark
The ACLU of Nevada led a coalition of over 25 groups protesting this decision. They sent a strongly worded letter saying,:
“If this is truly the peoples’ house, we would encourage you to reverse course and take the peoples’ phone calls.”
Good for them.
But here’s what’s strange: The ACLU should have reached across partisan lines for this coalition.
Conservatives would have jumped at the chance to defend free speech and government transparency. This isn’t a left-versus-right issue. It’s about whether regular folks get to participate in their government or whether only the political elite and lobbyists who can afford to take time off work get a seat at the table.
Think about it. Who gets hurt most by this decision? Working-class people who can’t miss a shift. Rural Nevadans who live hours from the capital. Parents with young children. People with disabilities.
These aren’t just Democratic voters or Republican voters. They’re all of us.
What They’re Really Afraid Of
Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch, a Democrat from Reno, actually stood up against her own party leadership during the session. She worried that:
“Nevada residents [aren’t] knowing what was going on in Carson City right now.”
She pointed out that most Nevadans can’t make it to Carson City on a Thursday afternoon to testify in person.
This move fits a troubling pattern. Government officials love to talk about transparency and public participation when they’re campaigning. But once they’re in power, they find ways to shut out voices they don’t want to hear.
Remember, Nevada’s Open Meeting Law exists for a reason.
NRS 241.010 declares that:
“all public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business”
and that:
“their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.”
Blocking phone testimony violates both the letter and spirit of this law.
What You Can Do
Don’t let them get away with this. Call your assemblymember’s office and demand they restore telephonic testimony. Write letters to the editor. Show up at town halls and ask why they’re afraid to hear from regular people. Make this an issue in the next election.
The Nevada Assembly needs to remember who they work for. Not the lobbyists who can afford to hang around Carson City. Not the special interests with deep pockets.
They work for us – the people of Nevada. And we deserve to be heard, whether we’re calling from Reno, Las Vegas, or any small town in between.
If they won’t take our phone calls, maybe it’s time we stop taking theirs when they come asking for our votes.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
