LT. GOVERNOR LORRAINE HUNT-BONO (1999 - 2007)

The administration of Lorraine T. Hunt as Lieutenant Governor of Nevada began January, 1999 and for eight years (through January, 2007) was marked by aggressive advocacy on behalf of Nevada's tourism industry and on behalf of economic growth and diversification. Acting in the roles of Chair for the Nevada Commission on Tourism - (NCOT) and the Nevada Commission for Economic Development (NCED), Lieutenant Governor Hunt, with the support of Governor Kenny Guinn, set a new standard for championing the causes of Nevada tourism, small businesses, and economic  diversification. As a result of those efforts, the State of Nevada experienced unprecedented revenues, producing a budget surplus for the first time in decades.

 

Constitutional authority for the Lieutenant Governor is codified in the Nevada Constitution, Article 5, Section 17 & 18. The Nevada Constitution authorizes the Lieutenant Governor's role in presiding as President of the Nevada State Senate and serving as chief executive when the Governor is unable to serve for any reason or is absent from the state. The Nevada Constitution further authorizes the roles of the Lieutenant Governor with regard to NCED, NCOT, the Nevada Department of Transportation, and the Executive Branch Audit Committee in NRS 231 .040, NRS 231.170, NRS 408.l 06, and NRS Chapter 224 respectively.

 

This document provides a brief chronology highlighting some of the key accomplishments that can be directly attributed to the administration of the duties and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor's office during the tenure of Lieutenant Governor Lorraine T. Hunt.

 

In 1999 when Governor Kenny Guinn and Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt were elected the state faced a serious budget deficit. In 2006, the Guinn administration will leave the state a budget surplus.

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A strong tourism and business economy were the catalyst to prosperity that enabled the administration to replenish the state's "rainy day fund" that had been obliterated by deficits and the effects of September 11, 2001 on Nevada's tourism economy and provide funding for: 

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•    Millennium Scholarships

•    Senior Prescription Program

•    State financial support for public schools from $570.5 million in 1999 to $1.7 billion in 2006

•    Extra money for signing bonuses for new teacher training

•    $100 million to help schools not meeting the Federal No Child Left Behind standards

•    Building mental hospitals in Sparks and Las Vegas

•    Increasing "one shot', appropriations from $1.6 billion in FY 2000 to $3 billion in FY 2007, and increase of 81%
•    Increased economic incentive programs for business and tourism development in Nevada's rural communities

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

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1999: Shortly after taking office, Lieutenant Governor Hunt led the NCED's successful application for a Kauffman. Foundation Grant to assist in the development of strategies and initiatives to improve Nevada's entrepreneurial business climate. 

1999: Lieutenant Governor Hunt brought together the science, engineering and technology fields from the public and private sectors at the Nevada Economic Development Science Engineering and Technology Conference (NEDSET) in Carson City and Las Vegas. The forums enabled public and private sectors to form lines of communication in order to establish and work towards mutually beneficial goals. The conferences resulted in the initiation of a study of potential strategies and economic development opportunities conducted by the Battelle Memorial Institute. 
2000: The White Pine County Economic: summit is held in Ely, Nevada as part of Lt. Governor Hunt's commitment to promoting economic development in rural Nevada. 2000: Publication of the Battle Memorial Institute's study, which ultimately resulted in six ''Strategies and Actions": 

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•    Increase the focus of the state's economic development efforts on technology ­based opportunities

•    Enhance the research, development and industry partnering roles of the university system

•    Build the Nevada New Economy workforce

•    Accelerate the growth of the entrepreneurial economy

•    Create a permanent and effective organizational vehicle for implementing the Nevada technology plan

•    Leverage current and future federal investments in Nevada

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2001: Lt. Governor Hunt initiates and successfully advocates the passage of Senate Bill 558 during the 71st Session of the Nevada Legislature. As part of the ongoing effort to improve the business climate of Nevada. SB 558 provides additional protection for trade secrets and proprietary information by defining an employer's right to intellectual property created by an employee. 

2003: Nevada exports totaled more than $2 billion for the year. With a growth rate of 73%, Nevada reported the largest percentage increase in exports of any state in the nation. 

2003: Lt. Governor Hunt led a joint mission of NCED and the Nevada Commission on Tourism to The People's Republic of China. The mission marked the first time a Nevada elected official made an official visit to the People's Republic. 

2004: Lt. Governor Hunt spearheads efforts to bring successful Nevada entrepreneurs together to share their insights and ideas to bring new business to Nevada and to help existing Nevada businesses thrive. Following the Center for Entrepreneurial Round Table, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (CET) began its partnership with the State of Nevada. The vision of the CET is to emphasize the need to diversify Nevada's economy by focusing on start-up businesses incorporating technology as a key element in their business models. 

2004: Lt Governor Hunt hosts a small business focus groups throughout Nevada to gather suggestions and viewpoints and to build consensus on issues that will contribute to the continued prosperity of Nevada's small businesses. The focus groups became a catalyst for the 2004 Small Business Summit which prioritized the needs of the state's small business owners and produced ten recommendations to the governor and the legislature: 

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•   Retain Nevada's low tax environment. No state income tax or gross receipts tax. Establish a "cap" on the payroll tax

• Modify existing NRS health insurance mandates to allow small businesses the flexibility to offer employees affordable health insurance

•   Support workforce development training in fundamental skills & create a "work­ready" program

•   Find creative methods to reward extraordinary and successful teachers

•  Encourage state and local governments to limit or reduce fees and business costs including control of workers compensation premiums 

•   Implement the remaining recommendations of the Governor's Fundamental Review of State Government Committee •   Review and limit areas of government competition with the private sector

•   Encourage high-speed internet connections in Nevada's rural areas

•  Support meaningful and fair tort reform legislation

•   Allow small businesses to establish private insurance cooperatives

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2004: With a budget of only $560,000 more than $10.2 million worth of media coverage was generated by a partnership led by Lt. Governor Hunt and including the Nevada Development Authority, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Northern Nevada Economic Development Authority, and Sierra Pacific Power Company

 

2004: 143 companies moved to or expanded operations to Nevada, creating 6,752 new jobs. Additionally, 24 existing Nevada companies expanded their businesses to create 1,082 new jobs. 

2004: Under the leadership of Lt. Governor Hunt, NCED obtained more than $700,000 in federal funds for trade investment programs which generated more than $15 million in new export sales via trade shows, trade missions, and inbound buying missions. 

2004: Under the direction of Lt. Governor Hunt, NCED produces the first ever Made In Nevada "Holiday 2004 Gift Idea Catalog." 

2005: Describing Nevada as a potential world capital of alternative and renewable energy, Lt. Governor Hunt leads NCED in the granting of incentives to attract the successful Solargenix Energy LLC solar energy power plant to Boulder City, Nevada. 

2005: Lt. Governor Hunt successfully advocates for the passage of legislation to support economic development efforts in Nevada's rural and blighted urban areas. 

2005: Lt. Governor Hunt leads a follow-up delegation to The People's Republic of China resulting in Reno-Tahoe Airport's designation as a diversion airport for air cargo from The People's Republic to the United States by Air China. 

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TOURISM 

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1999: Under the chairmanship of Lt. Governor Hunt, the NCOT launches the "Discover Both Sides of Nevada" campaign to promote the broad range of recreational activities from gaming and entertainment to hiking and outdoor adventure. The Lt. Governor also participates in the creation of a campaign to promote recreational vehicle tourism in rural Nevada, and a campaign to provide support to the reconstruction of the historic Virginia and Truckee Railroad in Northern Nevada. 

2000: Lt. Governor Hunt leads delegations to Singapore and Taiwan to promote Nevada as both a tourism destination and a business opportunity. The visits were instrumental in the successful attraction of direct airline service from Singapore to Las Vegas. 

2001: NCQT launches a bold new advertising campaign. The campaign, under the tag line "Bring It On" targets adventure tourists through outdoor publications, western states print media, and a state published adventure guide. The Lt. Governor also provided the voice for a series of public service announcements titled "Descubra Nevada" (Discover Nevada) aimed at the growing Latino population.

2001: In the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001 Lt Governor Hunt creates the Tourism Stability Task Force. The task force provided a coordinated effort to communicate consistent messaging necessary to gain and maintain consumer confidence in travel to Nevada. 

2001: Lt. Governor Hunt introduces and successfully advocates the passage of Senate Bill 583 in 111e: 71st Session of the Nevada State Legislature. SB 583 established a grant program for the development of projects relating to tourism, particularly in rural Nevada.

 

2003: In an effort to attract visitors to Northern Nevada by promoting key natural resources, Lt. Governor Hunt led a successful effort to improve Wingfield park in downtown Reno, contributing to the ongoing revitalization of the city. A key element in the effort was the Lt. Governor's chairmanship of the Truckee River White Water Steering Committee which created the first kayak slalom course to run through an urban core. Phase one of the Truckee River project was completed in the first year. 

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2003: Under the leadership of Lt. Governor Hunt, NCOT launched an innovative advertising campaign titled "Nevada, Wide Open," the first time the state has advertised on national television. The campaign promoted Nevada and its varied outdoor activities, utilizing direct response television tied to "8001' telephone numbers and the NCOT website. The flexible campaign allowed targeting of individual television/media markets and encouraged people to learn more about the great outdoor recreational opportunities available in the Silver State. 

2003: Lt. Governor Hunt leads the state's first trade and tourism delegation to The People's Republic of China to meet with government officials to encourage air traffic feasibility studies for the transportation of people and cargo between China and Nevada. The meetings also addressed the potential development of agreements leading to an exchange of hospitality education and opportunities for Nevada to become the "Western Gateway" for China to the United States. The Lt. Governor also met with the Executive Director of Macao to discuss the development of the gaming industry there. The Lt Governor's visit provided support to the Harrah's School of Hotel Administration at University of Nevada, Las Vegas in its expansion of educational programs with Chinese universities, 

2004: Lt. Governor Hunt opens the first approved state tourism office in the People's Republic of China. The opening of the office reflecting the Lt. Governor's recognition of a potential market of some 300 million Chinese citizens who have the means to travel internationally. The opening of the office was in recognition of the world's largest potential tourism market, with a population in the People's Republic of China of more than 1.3 billion people. 

2005: During the 72nd legislative session, Lt. Governor Hunt supported legislation creating tourism Improvement Districts. As a result of the legislation, projects may be privately owned and direct reimbursements of project costs are allowed. This makes it easier for tourism related businesses to come to Nevada and develop. 

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GENERAL/ADMINISTRATIVE 

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1999: Upon being sworn into office for her first term, Lt. Governor Hunt is appointed to the Cabinet of newly elected Governor Kenny Guinn, who also appoints the Lt. Governor to his Fundamental Review of State Government Committee and the Executive Branch Audit Committee. 

1999: Lt. Governor Hunt undertakes a complete revamping of the staffing of the Lt. Governor's office in order to provide better representation to Nevada's rural constituency which relies heavily on the support of NCOT and NCED. 

2001: Following an exhaustive review of state government, the Fundamental Review of State Government recommended more than 100 steps to improve the function and efficiency of state government. 

2002: Working in conjunction with the Nevada Commission on Tourism and the Nevada Commission for Economic Development, Lt. Governor Hunt lead delegations to Singapore and Taiwan to promote Nevada as both a tourism destination and a business partner. 

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OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STAFF, JANUARY 1999-JANUARY 2007 
Chief of Staff 
Rennie Schreiber 
Deputy Chief of Staff/Communications Director 
Kristine Absher 
Ira David Sternberg 
Dan Burns 
Robert Walsh 
Deputy Chief of Staff/Rural Representative

Pat Phillips

Susan Fink

Susan Haas 

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Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor

Dennis McConnac 
Judy Cox 

Sheila Wright

Judy Cox 
Joseph Locatelli

Catherine Swain

Loree Burt 
Julie Bell 

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