LG Stavros Anthony Elected RLGA Finance Chair

The Republican Lieutenant Governors Association (RLGA), a caucus of the Republican State Leadership Committee, announced its 2024 Executive Committee.  In 2022, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) made a significant $300,000 investment to help elect Stavros Anthony as the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada–a stunning upset to flip that seat from Democrat to Republican.

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the largest organization of Republican state leaders in the country and only national committee whose mission is to recruit, train, and elect Republicans to multiple down-ballot, state-level offices.

“In 2024, the RLGA is laser focused on protecting all of our Lieutenant Governors against the onslaught of money pouring in from national outside liberal spending groups in key battleground states across the country,” said Nevada Lieutenant Governor and RLGA Finance Chair Stavros Anthony in a released statement. “I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work with the executive team at the RLGA, where we will continue to ensure that we raise more money than ever to maintain our high rate of success this November.”

Although the Democrats hold a supermajority in the State Assembly, thanks to the lopsided legislative redistricting maps, Republican Lieutenant Governor Anthony defeated Democratic incumbent Lisa Cano Burkhead by one of the largest margins of the 2022 midterm elections.

The Globe had the opportunity to sit down for an interview with Lieutenant Governor Anthony during the last legislative session. During session, the Lieutenant Governor presides over the State Senate and shared what small businesses can expect from his sponsored legislation and budget:

“My budget was approved, two bills to support small businesses and passed out of committee unanimously. SB24 creates the Office of Small Business Advocacy. If small businesses, like food trucks for example, owned by one to three people, cannot navigate through all the state or county licensing requirements, they can call my office and talk to our folks who can answer their questions and take care of them. Small business owners will now have an office they can call or visit to answer their questions and navigate for them. So SB24 will fund the staff needed to directly help small businesses,” the Lieutenant Governor noted.

His second bill, crafted with Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, will fund upgrades to Silver Flume, Nevada’s business portal, and ultimately provide a “one-stop shop” for small business owners.

“If you want to open up a business, you go the portal and you can pay your fees and licenses to one place instead of separate counties and entities. If this passes, there will be some money to create and implement the technology and creates a working group to make it happen. With these two bills, small businesses owners will now have an office or a portal that will provide them the services they need. These bills will make it easier for people to open a business instead of making them jump through hoops,” he explained.

“If small businesses run into regulations that are redundant, restrictive, or outdated, they can directly come to or call the Office of Small Business Advocacy. We will be the advocate against stupid regulations, and stupid licenses and fees. We are going to be working directly with businesses and I can guarantee you this is going to happen and will be ready within the next two years,” he added.

After the legislative session came to a close, the Lieutenant Governor hit the road (and faced some criticism) to help the Nevada economy after it was nearly destroyed by the pandemic and related shutdowns of small businesses and casinos spearhead by former Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak.

Looks like we finally have a Lt. Gov who takes the job seriously! About time! Thanks @StavrosAnthony for caring about rural NV!
Lt. Gov. Anthony uses office budget for record travel as he makes position ‘full time’ https://t.co/W7sXHu0GK3

— NVBusiness (@NVBusiness) March 25, 2024

“My number one job after presiding over the Senate is chairing the Tourism Commission. For me, it is getting Nevadans and people from all over the country and the world to tour Nevada. Spending their money in Nevada helps the Nevada economy. I am looking forward to promoting tourism in the state. I have a background in tourism at Metro and the Las Vegas City Council, but this is a bigger mission to support the rural areas that don’t have a lot of support. I am going to make sure I support those folks.”

Across the country, Lieutenant Governor’s serve as a state’s second-in-command, performing critical tasks such as overseeing small business recruitment, leading economic development, administering fair elections, maintaining homeland security, and managing disaster recovery.