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Nevada State AFL-CIO Announces Support of AJR5, Cites Need for Increased Mental Health Services in Nevada

Stephanie Justice
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CARSON CITY —  This afternoon, the Nevada State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez testified in support of Assembly Joint Resolution 5, which would amend Nevada’s constitution to establish a state lottery. Revenue from the lottery would go toward funding youth mental health services across the state.

“Our country is experiencing a dire mental health crisis, and unfortunately, Nevada is experiencing the worst of it. Measures to improve mental health services in our state have been put on the backburner for too long, and unfortunately, Nevada’s youth is paying the price,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez. “Bold action is required to combat this problem, and that’s why it is critical that the legislature votes to pass this resolution. I thank Assemblyman Miller for shining a light on this fundamental issue.”

You can read Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez’s testimony, as prepared, below:

Thank you, Chairwoman Gorelow and members of the committee, for the opportunity to speak this afternoon.

My name is Susie Martinez, and I’m the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO.

On behalf of over 150,000 members and 120 unions, the Nevada State AFL-CIO supports Assembly Joint Resolution 5.

Every Nevadan deserves access to affordable, high-quality health care services—and that includes mental health services.

Unfortunately, our state is experiencing a widespread mental health crisis, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic.

We consistently rank at the bottom for youth mental health, and for the sake of our state’s future, we must ensure that we have a way to fund and improve our mental health services.

This legislation will  guarantee that we have a consistent revenue stream for such services so that Nevada’s future generations can be happy and healthy.

I thank Assemblyman Miller for bringing this resolution forward, and I strongly urge the committee to support Assembly Joint Resolution 5. Thank you.

 

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