The LA raids, the shooting on the Strip, the summer heat, the groundbreaking of the A’s stadium — there's a lot going on. So we asked listeners to chime in, as we do on our Wednesday, one-hour open mic show.
Shannon Miller, editor of Las Vegas Weekly, was on hand to chip in with answers and comments. Here’s a smattering of what people are talking about.
Punk Rock Bowling No Place For White Supremacists
Punk Rock Bowling is a downtown Las Vegas music festival. It turned 25 years old a few weeks ago, and during the festival, a man showed up in a T-shirt featuring the Nazi SS symbol on back. Caught on video, festival-goers berated and shoved the man until he left. Las Vegas Weekly had several reporter there.
”It’s pretty clear from the beginning, from the founder, Shawn Stern, that they're pretty against fascism, and so the Nazi SS symbol, I think, is tied to that,” Miller said. “And you know, obviously violence is not good. I don't condone that, but I think that they make a pretty clear stance about where they stand in terms of what's going on in the country and with fascism.”
Movie Tax Credit Goes Nowhere
A caller wanted to know if TV and film production crews would come here despite failure of a bill to increase transferrable tax credits to the film industry. The bill would have provided more than $100 million per year in credits, beginning after film studios built gigantic sound stages in Las Vegas.
So crews can still film here. Nevada’s incentives just aren’t as hefty as other states, such as Arizona. It has an annual tax credit set to increase to $125 million in 2025.
Neither of two competing tax credit bills in the Legislature got to the governor’s desk for approval or veto.
Will LV Protests Be Like LA’s?
Las Vegas police fired tear gas and projectiles at protesters in downtown Las Vegas Wednesday night. But will the protests in Vegas—a nationwide protest is expected Saturday—be like those in LA, where some cars were burned and looting took place?
Miller said Pew Research indicates that Nevada has the highest share of household with unauthorized immigrants at around 9 percent. Despite that, Las Vegas is in the midst of its summer heat, she noted. “It’s very hot and almost dangerous for people to be out there to…exercise their First Amendment rights.”
With Fewer Visitors, Will Strip Resorts Lower Prices?
A million fewer people have visited Nevada in the first four months of the year. So Strip resorts lately have been marketing to get locals into their casinos. One listener said she and her husband decided to do that, but “were shocked at the prices.”
“The cheapest glass of wine (in a restaurant they visited) was $25,” said the caller, Terry. “We are seniors on a fixed income.”
Locals mostly avoid the Strip, leaving it to tourists. What would get them to go there?
“If they made a significant change,” Terry said. “But you know, it would have to be something meaningful to locals. I don’t know what (the resorts’) breaking point is, but I’m not optimistic.”
Another caller, Sterling, said he worked in casinos for 40 years, 20 of those in Las Vegas. “We should have some kind of dining passport where locals don’t have to pay for parking, especially if it’s a staycation. I’m sure the restaurants can afford it.
“If you give 25 percent off of the dining experience, and not the liquor, they would still make out and get us to come and dine.”
Guests: Shannon Miller, editor, Las Vegas Weekly Magazine
