tabitha_mueller

The view from the frontlines of Nevada’s youth suicide crisis, where resources are scarce and families bereft The conversations were emotional and difficult to hear. But parents wanted to share stories about who their children were and the unimaginable loss they experienced, writes reporter Tabitha Mueller.

"The conversations were emotional and difficult to hear. But parents wanted to share stories about who their children were and the unimaginable loss they experienced," writes reporter @tabithamueller.bsky.social in an essay for the Center. Read more: ow.ly/1RH650W4vEN

Thank you for reading and sharing!!

IndyTalks: Nevada's changing health care landscape Moderated by The Nevada Independent CEO and Founder Jon Ralston and Indy Capital Bureau Chief Tabitha Mueller. Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fontainbleau, Las Vegas Panelists include: Patrick Kelly, President and CEO of the Nevada Hospital Association Mike Willden Consultant Stacie Weeks, Nevada Medicaid Administrator Location Fontainebleau Las Vegas, BleauLive Theater 2777 South Las Vegas Blvd Schedule Cash Bar available starting at 5:00 p.m. — come mix and mingle for happy hour! Main Event 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Ticket Information Tickets are required to attend Ticket cost is $10 per person Parking Complimentary parking provided by Fontainebleau

Mark your calendars for this discussion on March 25!

We'll discuss various health care topics, including the proposed DHHS split, the state's Medicaid program and how officials are working to ensure children receive services in their communities.

one.bidpal.net/indytalksveg...

What's next for Nevada if Medicaid cuts come from Congress? With potential cuts to Medicaid coming from Congresssome Nevada lawmakers are sounding the alarm, saying the cuts could cost the state billions of dollars in h

My colleague @tabithamueller.bsky.social discussed this topic with Evan Schreiber yesterday morning.
News 3 KVBC Las Vegas
@thenvindy.bsky.social

What's next for Nevada if Medicaid cuts come from Congress?

news3lv.com/news/arc/wha...

Senators asked for the department's response in writing by February 14. They said representatives of the DHHS should be prepared to testify on the information before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and at a future review of the Medicaid budget.

(4/4)

With 800,000 ppl on Medicaid in NV, the senators wrote Medicaid cuts would lead to a "massive increase in the number of uninsured Nevadans, a hole in the state budget that could exceed several billion dollars, and major financial disruptions for physicians and hospitals."

(3/4)

House G.O.P. Floats Medicaid Cuts and More to Finance Trump’s Huge Agenda (Gift Article) President Trump wants a massive tax cut and immigration crackdown bill. Now Republicans must decide what to cut to help pay for it.

The letter referenced reporting from @nytimes.com noting that members of the House GOP are discussing cuts to Medicaid as a way to help finance President Trump's massive tax cut and immigration crackdown bill.

(2/4)

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/u...

Sen. Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, Finance Chair Marilyn Dondero Loop and HHS Chair Fabian Doñate sent a letter to COS Ryan Cherry & DHHS Director Richard Whitley requesting information about the potential effects of federal Medicaid cuts.

(1/4)

embed.documentcloud.org/documents/25...

This is what the saying "when hell freezes over," means...

Calvin, lying in a nice warm bed: "BRRR, IT'S FREEZING OUT THERE! I DONT WANT TO LEAVE MY NICE WARM BED." "ON DAYS LIKE THIS, I WISH MOM WOULD COME IN, LAY AN EXTRA BLANKET OVER ME, PAT MY HEAD, AND AS I SINK INTO THE PILLOW UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE COVERS, SHE'D SAY..." CALVIN'S MOM INTERRUPTS THE THOUGHT BY YELLING, "HEY, LET'S MOVE IT!! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE CALLED YOU! YOU'RE GOING TO MISS THR BUS! LET'S GO!!" CALVIN GETS OUT OF BED. "THESE MORNINGS ARE GOING TO KILL ME."

Good morning 🥶

The Nevada Faculty Alliance notes with concern the decision of the new administration to freeze all meetings, travel, communications, and hiring within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) until approved by new political appointees. These actions have a chilling effect on vital academic research that not only serves to protect the health of the American people but generates significant economic benefit to our state. The NIH is a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services and serves as the nation’s medical research agency. The agency has an annual budget of more than $47 billion dollars and runs multiple programs important to academic training and research across the country. The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is the largest recipient of NIH Grants in Nevada. NIH awards exceed $30 million in the state, supporting 977 jobs and generating over $200 million in economic activity. A politicized slow-down of these vital funds will harm researchers, universities, an

The Nevada Faculty Alliance released a statement about President Donald Trump's EO, freezing all meetings, communications and hiring at the National Institutes of Health.

"These actions have a chilling effect," the statement said.

Full statement here: nevadafacultyalliance.org/NewsArchive/...

An #nvleg budget update: Sources close to the governor's office said the office will begin submitting budget amendments as early as Friday, and the process will be completed by Jan. 29.

‘Beyond frustrating;’ Democrats criticize $335M deficit in Lombardo’s budget - The Nevada Independent State officials acknowledged the shortfall and said they have already made revisions to the proposed budget, but an $85 million deficit remains with those changes included.

Read our full coverage here:

thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...

It’s worth noting that Gov. Joe Lombardo’s Chief of Staff Ryan Cherry apologized for the budget mishaps in his closing remarks today, saying, “ I will take full responsibility for the issues that have occurred ... We are moving forward to correct it.”

After the statement, Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro said many issues, including a $1.8 billion increase in the general fund operating budget, contributed to a "structural deficit in the budget. She said today's hearing is likely the first of many, and blame should not fall on educators.

“It appears the Legislature's concerns about Governor Lombardo's executive budget are related to funding for teachers and Pre-K education. Last session, the Legislature appropriated one-time funds for teacher raises and preschool expansion, leaving educators and parents wondering whether funding would be available in future years. As he said in his State of the State speech last week, Governor Lombardo is committed to making teacher raises and Pre-K education permanent. As such, he included the raises in his budget as ongoing operating expenses rather than a one-time cost. The Governor hopes the Legislature shares his commitment to teachers and parents and will join him in making these expenditures permanent. The executive budget remains balanced through one-time funding.” –Elizabeth Ray, Spox for Governor Lombardo

A spokesperson for Gov. Joe Lombardo said the Legislature's concerns about Lombardo's executive budget are related to teacher funding in 2023 and preschool expansion.

She said the governor will be able to meet a deadline for a budget amendment submission by 5 p.m. on Jan. 29.

Here's a quick thread of some noteworthy quotes/moments in the legislative budget hearing today:

YouTube video by Nevada State Legislature 1/21/2025 - Legislative Commission's Budget Subcommittee

Tiffany Greenameyer, the state budget director, said during the first legislative budget meeting, "the governor's recommended budget as submitted, included errors."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oaP...

Scoop: Sources say Lombardo's administration asked Amy Stephenson to step down from her role as state budget director Friday. Tiffany Greenameyer has replaced her. The news comes as Democrats have raised concerns about the budget + ahead of an 8:30 budget meeting this morning.

The State of the State address by Gov. Joe Lombardo this Wednesday serves as the unofficial kickoff to what we like to cal #nvleg seasonthe start of the 120 days of madness in Carson City. As in years past, The Indy is sending a team of three reporters to work in Carson City full-time. So, let us introduce our legislative team for the 2025 session: First, Tabitha Mueller will be returning to Carson City as the Indy's Capital Bureau Chief. This is Tabitha's third legislative session, and she has become a scoop machine and best-sourced reporter in the state capital. The team will be rounded out by reporters Eric Neugeboren and Isabella Aldrete, both of whom bring unique and diverse skill sets and perspectives to the table.

Some ~ personal ~ news: I'm excited to take on the role of Capital Bureau Chief and government accountability reporter for @TheNVIndy. Be sure to follow our Carson City team Eric Neugeboren, Isabella Aldrete and @calvertphoto.bsky.social as we bring you the latest news from the #nvleg.

The Nevada Independent - Your state. Your news. Your voice. The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focuse...

The Indy's first edition of the "Behind the Bar" newsletter for the 83rd legislative session is out at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

You don't want to miss it.

Sign up to receive it:

thenevadaindependent.com/newsletters

Warner Bros. and Birtcher Development drop partnership in bid to expand Nevada film tax credits - The Nevada Independent It’s not yet clear how the dissolution of the partnership will affect the two separate efforts to expand Nevada’s film tax credit program.

Breaking: A partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery and Birtcher Development, key proponents to expand Nevada's film tax credit program, has dissolved.

thenevadaindependent.com/article/warn...

Republican governors head to Mar-a-Lago It's a chance for them to reaffirm their loyalty — the biggest currency in Trump world.

A spokesperson for Gov. Joe Lombardo confirmed to @thenvindy.bsky.social that Lombardo will join other governors for a dinner with President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday at Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.

More on the dinner from @politico.com:

www.politico.com/live-updates...

A fun research find of the week is this Nevada LCB record of all the Secretaries of the Senate and Chief Clerks of the Assembly from 1864 to 2017.

It includes their hometown and/or county of residence, too!

t.co/J3UuyImdw2

State commits nearly $200 million for overhaul of behavioral health care system - The Nevada Independent Read current Nevada news from The Nevada Independent: State commits nearly $200 million for overhaul of behavioral health care system. Learn more >>

You can read more about the state's commitment of nearly $200 million during the next three years to “transform” its behavioral health care system for children in foster care and with significant behavioral health needs here:

thenevadaindependent.com/article/stat...

Commitments include:

- Children who may have a behavioral health disability will be screened, assessed and provided service coordination
- Children w/disabilities will have access to expanded home- and community-based services
- Strengthened quality assurance

To increase community integration for these children, Nevada has made significant commitments in this agreement, including: Children who may have a behavioral health disability will be screened and assessed, and provided with service coordination; Children with behavioral health disabilities will have access to expanded home- and community-based services. These services include wraparound facilitation, mobile crisis and stabilization services, respite care, individual and family therapy, behavioral support services, family peer support and youth peer support; Nevada will improve diversion and transition processes to ensure children with behavioral health disabilities are being diverted from, and transitioned as quickly as possible from, segregated placements; and Nevada will strengthen its quality assurance and performance improvement system.

Inbox: Last week, the DOJ reached an agreement with the state of Nevada to ensure children with behavioral health disabilities can live in their homes and communities.

Entire agreement here: justice.gov/crt/media/13...

Press release: justice.gov/opa/pr/justi...

*Staring at my inbox and social media after a long holiday break*

🎶 Hello darkness, my old friend... 🎶

Office of the Governor Announces Date for the 2025 State of the State Address CARSON CITY, NV – Today, the Nevada Office of the Governor announced that the 2025 State of the State Address will take place on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM. As per tradition, the address will be held two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming legislative session, convening in the Assembly Chambers of the Nevada State Legislature. I look forward to sharing the progress my administration has made since my inaugural address, and I’m excited to outline my common-sense vision for our state ahead of the upcoming legislative session,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “We’ve worked hard to keep taxes low, balance our state budget, and make historic investments in our students and workforce. As we look ahead, I’m eager to build on our progress in education, economic development, healthcare, housing, and public safety.” Additional details will be released next week.

It's official: Gov. Joe Lombardo's State of the State address will be held Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

More details to come.

“She was the heart and soul of the family,” Monique Laxalt said. “It’s a huge loss and there are a lot of people in mourning this morning. We will miss her terribly.”