Rep. Horsford Visits Nevada Workers Supporting Vulnerable Communities

Nevada Welfare Office: A Beacon of Support Amidst Federal Cuts

In the bustling office of the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) in West Las Vegas, a dedicated team of state workers stands ready to assist those in need of essential services such as healthcare and nutrition assistance. Despite its proximity to the opulent Las Vegas Strip, the office is a world away, focusing on the day-to-day struggles of local residents.

For Dawn Ashford, a family support specialist, aiding families is not just a profession but a heartfelt commitment. “It’s a lot of work. It is challenging and things are changing rapidly. But we wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t care,” Ashford states.

Recently, Ashford and her colleagues, members of AFSCME Local 4041, had the opportunity to share their experiences with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV). Horsford visited the site to assess the situation firsthand and offer support.

As co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, Horsford has been vocal against the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a controversial measure that slashed SNAP and healthcare benefits in favor of tax breaks for wealthy individuals. Ashford expressed the challenges this legislation has imposed, complicating her work while Nevada, a state grappling with one of the highest unemployment rates, sees increased demand for assistance.

Ashford highlighted the increasing complexity of her duties, often requiring up to two hours to process new applications, while around 20,000 individuals remain in the backlog. With federal cuts looming, approximately 43,000 Nevadans could lose their nutrition assistance in the coming weeks.

Horsford commended the efforts of Ashford and her team, stating, “Dawn, I really respect your work because it’s the dignity in the work that you do and the compassion that you provide to these people who walk through these doors.” He emphasized the importance of unionization through AFSCME for workers' empowerment.

Across the state, the momentum for unionization is growing, with administrative and clerical workers recently moving to vote for their AFSCME union. Horsford reiterated, “Right now, we have people who are trying to take our rights away, our freedoms away, and our opportunities away. But the power is in the people. When we show up and vote together, we win together. And that’s how I think we can uplift all of our communities.”