(Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama) – When I first decided to run for office, it was driven by a deep sense of public service to my community. Once in office, I quickly realized the unfortunate reality of how our legislature operates, with a lack of basic transparency and, in many cases, a disregard for ethical standards.
That’s why I proposed simple, commonsense reforms aimed at giving voters a sense of confidence and creating more meaningful and enduring trust in our system of government. You can see for yourself:
Bill 1: Legislative Transparency and Accountability
One of the core principles of democracy is transparency. To uphold this value, I am advocating for legislation that requires all proposed bills to be made public a full 72 hours before they can be finalized. This ensures both legislators and the public have adequate time to review and provide input on proposed laws.
Bill 2: Legislative Transparency and Accountability
This bill introduces several measures designed to increase transparency and accountability within the legislature. These include strict adherence to the Open Meeting Law, prompt responses to information requests, detailed budget transparency through line-item disclosures, and public disclosure requirements for conflicts of interest among legislators.
Bill 3: Governance and Appropriations Transparency
Governance and appropriations transparency are vital for ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. This bill proposes giving the governor line-item veto power over appropriations and restricting direct state funding to non-profits unless accompanied by clear conditions and oversight.
This week, I learned that due to my efforts to introduce these commonsense reforms for the upcoming legislative session, I have become the target of misinformation and attacks by the opposing party.
It’s disheartening to see that this type of behavior is the response to thoughtful proposals. I am especially disappointed to find out that leadership from the opposing party is fueling these falsehoods.
Nevertheless, I remain proud of the contributions I’ve made in the legislature and will continue to work with anyone who values transparency and responsible governance.
I am proud of the support Governor Lombardo has shown for these policy ideas, and I hope my colleagues across the aisle can set aside petty attacks and work with us to create a more transparent and ethical government.
Ms. Kasama represents Assembly District 2 in Clark County
