By Assemblymember Shea Backus, Nevada State Assembly District 37
As a third-generation Nevadan, I truly understand that “Home Means Nevada.” My paternal great-grandparents traveled across country to Eureka for employment in the early 1900s, while my maternal grandparents moved to Las Vegas in the early 1950s as my grandfather secured employment at the Nevada Test Site. In the 1960s, Vegas Village, a historic retail store, employed my grandmother as a checker, mother in the bakery and father as a boxer.
I was almost born at a UNLV basketball game. I attended Howard Wasden Elementary School, Mable Hoggard Sixth Grade Center, Hyde Park Junior High School and E. W. Clark High School. Benefiting from my public education, I went on to secure a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Science from University of California, San Diego, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Arizona State University. While at ASU, I completed the Indian Law Certificate Program, including interning at the Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice. This opportunity allowed me to assist the director in drafting testimony to present before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
After law school, I returned to Las Vegas to practice law. My practice primarily focuses on civil and commercial litigation. My firm represents clients ranging from small business to grocery stores to large franchisors. I have been practicing law for over 23 years and have been a shareholder for over 13 years. I understand what it takes to run a business and provide for my employees.
It was not until 2016 when I decided to run for public office. In the late summer, I read about the passing of former First Lady Bonnie Bryan. I learned that Ms. Bryan in her public capacity worked hard to keep nuclear waste out of Yucca Mountain and supported our public schools. That was the moment when I wanted to do more for my community than the pro bono and other civil engagement work that I had already been doing.
I have now served three regular sessions and five special sessions in the Nevada Assembly. I chaired Revenue, vice chaired Ways & Means and chaired the K-12/NSHE/CIP Subcommittee the last two sessions. In the interim, I chair Sunset Committee and Audit Subcommittee, vice chair Revenue, and serve on Legislative Commission and Interim Finance Committee.
I have passed bills to address affordable housing by working with localities to address zoning barriers making it difficult to add accessory dwelling units and for access to medical care by passing a bill addressing prior authorizations, including allowing diabetic patients to not have to wait for prior authorization to fill their diabetic test strip prescriptions. I have also worked on economic development, including a recent bill to establish inland ports, and a teacher pipeline to address Nevada’s historic educator shortages. I bring my knowledge and understanding of insurance and business with me to the legislature.
My personal success is my marriage to my husband Marc, a commercial airline pilot, for over 22 years. We have one dog – Carson – who also enjoys living part time in Carson City.