State treasurer swings through Fallon

Since he became Nevada’s state treasurer in January, Zach Conine has developed a special affinity for rural Nevada.

Conine and Senior Policy Director Erik Jiminez have traveled to numerous communities and talked to residents about the services provided by the state treasurer’s office. When Conine and Jiminez visited Fallon on Labor Day for the pancake breakfast and parade, they were in the middle of a five-day trip. By the end of the week, they had stopped in Austin, Eureka, Ely, West Wendover, Elko, Wells, Jiggs, Spring Creek, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca, Hungry Valley Nixon and Gerlach.

During the past year, for example, Conine has visited Fallon eight times, and his family attended the annual Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair where his daughter won her age group for Cutest Cowgirl.

“In West Wendover, we held a townhall on education and refinancing bond issues,” Conine said. “They will save $1 million over the life of the bond.”

Conine said West Wendover’s leaders will be able to put that money back into the community. The trip also gave Conine the opportunity to spend time in other eastern Nevada communities by talking to people and government leaders about ways for them to further their economic efforts and help their citizens. He also met with the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and its Chairman Len George, the Wells Band Colony, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony to strengthen relations and find ways for tribal leaders to access his officer easier. Conine said the tour showed him how similar all parts of the state are and how the people’s needs remain the same.

“It’s a question of how we can get more resources in your communities,” Conine added. “We are meeting the needs of our citizens. No matter the size of the communities, the needs are the same.”

Conine also said Nevada’s Pre-Paid Tuition Plan is solvent and is 142% funded, a concern that arises often

“I want to make sure this money is protected,” Conine said, noting parents depend on the funds to help with their children’s higher-education needs.

By visiting Nevada’s rural communities, Conine said the reception has been good, and many residents were surprised to see the state treasurer visiting their communities in a non-election year. His plan is to visit rural communities annually if not more.