Economic Woes and Political Backlash: Nevada’s Struggling Tourism Industry
As former President Donald Trump prepares for his upcoming visit to Nevada, the state’s Democratic Party and the Culinary Union have joined forces to critique the economic impact of Trump’s policies, alongside Governor Joe Lombardo’s support for them. Assemblymember Linda Hunt (AD 17), Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge, and members of the Culinary Union gathered to discuss the financial strain on Nevada families.
The “Trump Slump,” a term coined to describe the decline in tourism over the past year, has left working families grappling with rising costs for essentials such as groceries, gas, and healthcare. Despite earlier assurances from Trump and Lombardo to reduce expenses, the economic burden remains. Lombardo, who secured Trump’s endorsement and has supported his policies, is accused of prioritizing the interests of billionaires over ordinary citizens.
Insights from the Press Conference
Assemblymember Linda Hunt (AD 17) expressed concern about the current state of affairs, stating, “Nevada families are suffering. Governor Lombardo has taken Nevada in the wrong direction. He embraced Donald Trump and our community is paying the price. Under their leadership, life has gotten harder for Nevadans.” She highlighted the decline in Las Vegas tourism, which is affecting income for workers reliant on tips. “The Trump Slump is real. It’s hurting us all. As a food server and Culinary Union member for 47 years, I see what’s been going on. There are now fewer tourists in Las Vegas, fewer customers. That means less tips and means less money to support our families.”
Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge questioned Lombardo’s silence on critical economic issues, saying, “Let’s talk about Trump’s number one cheerleader, Governor Lombardo. Where is Governor Lombardo on the cost of gas, the cost of groceries, the cost of our power bills, the cost of car insurance?” Pappageorge criticized Lombardo’s backing of policies that negatively impact tourism and employment in Las Vegas, adding, “Why is Governor Lombardo supporting these crazy tariffs, these stupid wars and this thug-led immigration policy that are affecting tourism in Las Vegas and affecting our jobs? When is Governor Lombardo going to stand up to Trump? The silence is deafening.”
Joe Spica, a Culinary Union member and tipped hospitality worker, shared his personal experiences of financial hardship. “The last year was the worst I’ve ever had in tips. It’s not even close. Every single item and every service that I pay for has gone up ridiculous amounts. Rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, gas now, you name it, gone up,” Spica remarked. The downturn in tourism has led to layoffs, affecting long-term employees and on-call workers. “With the low amounts of guests that are coming to Las Vegas, some of my co-workers have been laid off. I have friends that have worked full time for over 25 years and now don’t have a job. We have on-call workers that haven’t gotten a shift in weeks. Something has to change and it has to change fast.”
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