IN SINCERE APPRECIATION

     Now retired, Sen. Neal thanks all who supported him in his 32 years in the upper house. He will remain engaged (see below) with the great issues, as he has throughout his life. The continuing high volume of traffic to this website reinforces and rewards that commitment. Thank you.

Neal in the News

7-28-2007
Happy Birthday, Sen. Neal: On this date in 1935, Joseph Neal Jr., who has served as Nevada Senate majority floor leader, president pro tempore, acting governor, and at his retirement was tied for longevity of service as a Nevada state senator, was born in Mounds, Louisiana. (Courtesy of longtime Nevada reporter Dennis Myers' almanac.)

Sen. Neal's voice missed at 2007 legislative session
Daily Sparks Tribune 6-10-2007

Déjà vu all over again
Gambling industry shunts green tax incentive to smoking casinos
Like Steve Wynn's art tax, money taken from Nevada schools

Once more unto the breach?
Steve Sebelius, Editor, Las Vegas CityLife on filling the current vacancy on the Clark County Commission: Anyway, almost overlooked in the whole mess was a person who (Assemblyman Morse) Arberry says is supporting him, but who would make a great commissioner in his own right: former state Sen. Joe Neal! Neal lives in the district; he ran against (resigning Commissioner) Gates the last time out, garnering but 21 percent against Gates' 63 percent. Neal's retired now, but if he still has the fire in the belly, we think he'd be a great choice. Plus, think of how the Strip would react if their old foe Neal was put in charge of gambling regulation!
Las Vegas CityLife 1-18-2007

UPDATE: Neal will accept commission appointment if Gov. Gibbons so offers
Daily Sparks Tribune 1-21-2007

Neal testifies at public forum on the Clark County coroner's inquest system
Coroner's inquest of police shootings out of step
Las Vegas Sun 1-14-2007

Neal: We have outsourced our elections
Sen. Titus introducing voting integrity bill at Neal's request

"A private company owns your voting," Neal says,
"and no one in the state really knows if it's secure."

     Neal's proposed audit of electronic voting will undoubtedly get a hearing thanks to Titus carrying the measure. He also plans to meet with Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, about his proposal. Titus said she's "interested in hearing more about it."

     Anyone who votes should be.

Columnist Erin Neff, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sunday, 12-10-2006

UPDATE 12-28-2006 Las Vegas Sun
Neal questions accuracy of state electronic voting machines
"Nobody has done an audit of these since they have been put in place."

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BED SPACE: Mental health concern aired
Official says need persists despite hospital
Las Vegas Review-Journal 1-9-2007

RAWSON-NEAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL:
License issues delay opening of 40 beds
Several out-of-state psychiatrists offered positions at the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital haven't received their Nevada medical licenses and as a result the opening of the institution's remaining 40 beds that were licensed Tuesday has been delayed.
Las Vegas Review-Journal 12-14-2006

40-bed addition to Rawson-Neal southern Nevada mental hospital can't open due to lack of doctors
Las Vegas Sun 12-5-2006

New hospital faces staff shortage

Rawson-Neal Hospital opens

Photos of the grand opening, 8-28-2006

Photo gallery of Rawson-Neal Hospital construction

Governor Guinn announces that new Las Vegas mental health facility will be named Rawson-Neal Hospital
Las Vegas Sun 3-24-2005

Sen. Neal's 2002 universal health care proposal looks visionary in retrospect

Cable greed and lawmaker laxity come back
to haunt Nevada ratepayers
The Wall Street Journal lists Nevada among state legislatures which passed anti-consumer legislation barring municipalities from providing cable and Internet services. Now, the wi-fi cyberchickens are coming home to rue.
Wall Street Journal/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 3-21-2006
The abovelinked article also appeared in the 3-27-2006 Reno Gazette-Journal
TOLJASO DEPT. — Sen. Neal tried to repair the law in 2003, but Cox Cable (southern Nevada) and Charter Communications (nor. Nevada) thwarted his efforts.
Read it and weep.

Sen. Neal refreshes memories on Nevada's landmark fire sprinkler law and hints at publishing his memoirs
Las Vegas Review-Journal 1-23-2006
A bit more on the sprinkler law

FAMILY TIES: Sen. Neal and other Nevadans with Louisiana roots have serious personal stakes in the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina

Sen. Neal appears on Nevada Newsmakers statewide TV/Radio/Webcast programs week of July 25, 2005

Neal's issues continue to resonate
Daily Sparks Tribune 7-24-2005

Las Vegas Sun columnist Jeff Simpson: time for Nevada to look at a new triple-tiered tax for casinos

Powers of police citizen review boards debated
Neal 1997 bill led to creation of LV panel
Las Vegas Sun 7-2-2005

Sen. Neal on ending racism in Nevada
Las Vegas Sun 3-25-2005

Neal and Rawson inducted into Nevada State Senate Hall of Fame Carson City Nevada Appeal 3-24-2005 Photo and caption from Nevada State Legislature website Photo gallery of Rawson-Neal Hospital construction Grand Opening August 28, 2006 Governor Guinn announces that new Las Vegas mental health facility will be named Rawson-Neal Hospital Las Vegas Sun 3-24-2005 Rawson-Neal Hospital updates

Neal comments on his successor
Associated Press 3-19-2005

Neal among four longtime senators not returning to Carson City for 2005 session
Las Vegas Sun 2-7-2005

Neal tribute event scheduled in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Sun 1-21-2005

Neal participates in Nevada African-American history event
Las Vegas CityLife 12-9-2004

Neal lists main commission campaign issues

Neal files for Clark County Commission
NEWSPAPER: "Legendary lawmaker...proposes a moratorium on new casinos and to have the Southern Nevada Water Authority purchase Nevada Power."
Las Vegas Review-Journal 5-15-2004

Neal will not seek re-election to record ninth term
Hints at run for Clark County Commission
Las Vegas Sun 3-24-2004

LOW-TECH POLITICS This sign was put up by 2002 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Gerry Larrivee on U.S. 395 between Reno and Carson City during Sen. Neal's 2000 gaming tax petition campaign. Sen. Neal needs similar grass-roots support during this year's legislative fight for fairness.

On May 20, 2003, the sign read "raise the casino tax." On May 12, it asked "Heard From Any Democrats?" Sen. Neal would understand the sentiments.