Nevada Teachers Sue the State and Governor Joe Lombardo Over A's Ballpark Funding

Another hurdle has popped up for the A's ballpark funding in Las Vegas

A group of teachers in Nevada, operating as Strong Public Schools Nevada, has filed a lawsuit against the state and Gov. Joe Lomardo. As Schools Over Stadiums has previous noted, the teachers involved believe that SB1, which granted the A's $380 in public funding for their ballpark project, breaks the Nevada Constitution in five places. 

The Athletic also wrote, "The suit alleges that the bill actually required a two-thirds majority vote in both Nevada’s Assembly and Senate to pass, rather than a standard majority vote, because that’s how the state is supposed to treat legislation that creates public revenue." While both chambers passed the bill, neither reached the two-thirds majority the teachers are claiming it needed. 

In the Assembly, SB1 passed with 25 of a possible 42 votes, good for 59.5%. In the Senate, the funding received 13 of 21 votes in support, or 61.9%. 

There was also a press release that went out from the teachers. 

"(Carson City, NV) - On February 5, 2024, Strong Public Schools Nevada together with prominent education leaders filed a constitutional challenge against Senate Bill 1 (SB1) which provides up to $380M in taxpayer funds to construct a baseball stadium.

Senate Bill 1 is riddled with constitutional violations and our goal is to ensure public funds are not used for a misguided stadium project. We believe SB1 violates five (5) sections of the State Constitution and those violations should lead to the bill’s invalidation. 

Vicki Kreidel is a second grade reading specialist, President of NEA of Southern Nevada, and one of the Plaintiffs. “Educators throughout Nevada are frustrated by the lack of focus by politicians on real priorities, like public education. There’s been more planning of a “world class” stadium than there has been implementing a funding plan to ensure a “world class” education for our kids. These misguided priorities are why Nevada continually ranks at the bottom of all the good lists."

Chris Giunchigliani is a career education leader, public servant, and one of the Plaintiffs. “Even though public education and other services are woefully underfunded in Nevada, politicians chose to direct precious tax dollars to a billionaire’s stadium project. Hopefully this legal challenge will reset the debate, so state leaders can instead focus on meeting the needs of everyday Nevadans.”

Nevada ranks 48th in per pupil funding with the largest class sizes and highest educator vacancies in the nation. During the last Legislative Session, with important education issues outstanding, the Governor and Legislature shifted their focus to the needs of John Fisher and his lobbyists. For 8 days, Nevada politicians singularly focused on financing a “world-class” stadium for a California billionaire, while ignoring Nevada’s second-class education system.

Since the misguided proposal to divert public school dollars to for-profit and private schools, Strong Public Schools Nevada has been working to make public education a priority in Nevada. This litigation continues our work to support public education and oppose the diversion of public money for private or corporate use. Strong Public Schools Nevada is in solidarity with our sister committee, Schools Over Stadiums, which is pursuing a referendum to ensure hundreds of millions in public money goes to essential services like public education."

In addition to this lawsuit, the PAC Schools Over Stadiums, a separate group that is also backed by the NSEA, is attempting to get a referendum in front of Nevada voters in November, which would put the A's funding in the people's hands. 

After filing their ballot petition in September, their initiative was challenged and put on hold. Schools Over Stadiums is currently awaiting the results of their appeal to that initial setback before moving forward. If they win the appeal, then they move forward. If they lose, then they will have to re-file their petition before starting to collect a little over 100,000 signatures by mid-summer. 

The full lawsuit can be viewed over at the Nevada Independent.