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Non-profit

Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities

Website:

guinncenter.org
Location:

Las Vegas, NV, United States
Tax ID:

46-4075622
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $444,233
Expenses: $421,884
Assets: $180,822

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The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities (KGCfPP) is a moderately left-of-center think tank based in Las Vegas that focuses on Nevada education, budget, health care, and social welfare policy. 1 2 3

The KGCfPP very prominently brands itself as bipartisan. Its board consists of individuals with ties to both Democrats and Republicans, but who have provided substantially more support to Democratic Party candidates. 4 5

History

The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities was founded in 2014 and named after former two-term Nevada governor Kenny Guinn, who died in 2010. Guinn was a Democrat who became a moderate Republican before being elected governor in 1998. 67

Governor Guinn is remembered for his contentious 2003 campaign to raise Nevada’s taxes by $1 billion the largest tax hike in Nevada history at the time. 8 Guinn failed to get the two-thirds vote from the state legislature required by Nevada’s constitution to approve the tax increase. Guinn responded by securing legislative approval of a state budget that appropriated money as if the tax increase were enacted, which required only a simple majority of the legislature. Guinn then sued legislators in court for failing to raise taxes to fund the approved spending increase.  The Nevada Supreme Court ruled in favor of Guinn and waived the constitutionally-required supermajority requirement to raise taxes. 9 10 11

When the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities was founded, its board was split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. 12

People

Members of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ current board have contributed to both Democrat and Republican candidates for office, but disproportionately support Democratic Party candidates an organizations in federal elections. 13

Tom Gallagher

Tom Gallagher is chair of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities board. He was an unsuccessful Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Congress in 2004, when most of his campaign funds were contributed by unions. 14  Gallagher contributes tens of thousands of dollars to federal election candidates, exclusively to Democrats. 15

Kathleen Conaboy

Kathleen Conaboy is vice chair of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities board. Conoboy was a multi-client lobbyist prior to joining the KGCfPP.  She has donated to three federal candidates, all Democrats, including former U.S. Senator and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). 16

Deane A. Albright

Deane Albright is the secretary and treasurer for Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board. Since 2004, Albright has contributed to three different Republican Party candidates and eight Democratic Party candidates for federal offices, including supporting Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Albright also contributed to a political action committee that supports Democratic Party candidates and to the Democratic Party of Nevada. 17

Michael D. Daubs

Michael Daubs is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board. Daubs donated to four different candidates for federal office, all of whom were Republicans, including supporting President George W. Bush’s reelection campaign in 2004. 18

Alex de Castroverde Daubs

Alex de Castroverde Daubs is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board.  He contributed 12 times to Democrats in federal campaigns, totaling $16,150. He also made two contributions to Republican candidates, totaling $3,000. 19

Dale Erquiaga

Dale Erquiaga is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board. Erquiaga is a former Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction who was appointed by former Governor Brian Sandoval (R). 20 Erquiaga has donated once to the Washoe County (Nevada) Republican Party. 21

Dr. Daniel W. Hamilton

Daniel Hamilton is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board who has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Democratic Party candidates for federal office. 22

Pat Hickey

Pat Hickey is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board and a former Republican state legislator who represented a district outside Reno and served as state Assembly Republican Leader until he was ousted by a more conservative colleague after Republicans took control of the chamber after the 2014 elections. 23 Hickey was appointed to the Nevada State Board of Education in 2016 by then-Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R). 24 He has made two donations to federal election candidates, both to Republicans. 25

Dana Lee

Dana Lee is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board who has contributed 76 times to federal election candidates, PACs, or party organizations. Over 70 of those donations were to Democratic Party candidates or organizations, including to the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. Lee contributed twice to Republican Party candidates, including to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in 2007. 26

Erin McMullen

Erin McMullen is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board, a registered lobbyist in Nevada, and president of the Board of Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates. 27 McMullen has donated to seven Democratic Party candidates for federal office, including to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Chris Roman

Chris Roman is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board. He is a broadcast news business executive who has not contributed to federal election campaigns. 28

Donald D. Snyder

Donald Snyder is a member of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities’ board. Snyder has contributed 30 times to Democratic Party candidates for federal office and seven times to Republican Party candidates, including to George W. Bush’s presidential campaigns. 29

Nancy E. Brune

Nancy Brune is the executive director of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Brune was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in 2016. She has made only one contribution to a candidate for federal office, Democratic Congressional candidate Erin Bilbray, in 2014. 30 31

Funding

The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with revenues of $444,233 in 2017. Expenses in 2017 were $421,884, most of which paid for salaries. 32

Information about who funds the KGCfPP is not publicly available or disclosed. Some revenue is likely from the sale of studies to government entities, as the KGCfPP has submitted proposals and provided data to government entities. 33 34 The KGCfPP has also collaborated on projects with the Brookings Mountain West Institute, a regional affiliate of the national Brookings Institution think tank. 35

References

  1. Rindels, Michelle. “Guinn Center raises red flags on proposal to boost school funding through county sales tax hike”. The Nevada Independent. May 24, 2019. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/guinn-center-raises-red-flags-on-proposal-to-boost-school-funding-through-county-sales-tax-hike
  2. Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau. “Report: many Nevadans without health insurance qualify for help”. The Nevada Appeal. September 6, 2019. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/report-many-nevadans-without-health-insurance-qualify-for-help/
  3. Snyder, Riley. “Report: Income inequality in Nevada has worsened over last decade, amid stagnant wages and rising household costs”. The Nevada Independent. April 25, 2019. Accesses January 20, 2020. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/report-income-inequality-has-worsened-over-last-decade-amid-stagnant-wages-and-rising-household-costs
  4. Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Guinncenter.org. “About us”. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://guinncenter.org/about-us/
  5. Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Guinncenter.org. “About us”. “Board”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://guinncenter.org/about-us/board/
  6. Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Guinncenter.org. “About us”. “History”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://guinncenter.org/about-us/history/
  7. The Associated Press.” Kenny Guinn, Ex-Governor of Nevada, Dies at 73”. Printed in the New York Times. July 24, 2010. Accessed January 19, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/us/politics/25guinn.html
  8. “Guinn to outline huge tax-increase plan” Las Vegas Sun. January 20, 2003. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/jan/20/guinn-to-outline-huge-tax-increase-plan/
  9. Lawrence, Geoffry. “The end-game: Part II”. Nevada Policy Research Institute. May 24, 2011. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.npri.org/commentary/the-end-game-part-ii/
  10. New, Michael J. “Judicial Nonsense in Nevada”. Cato Institute. August 8, 2003. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/judicial-nonsense-nevada
  11. “Sandoval learned from history to achieve historic tax increase”. KSNV News3LV. June 2, 2015. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://news3lv.com/archive/sandoval-learned-from-history-to-achieve-historic-tax-increase
  12. “Guinn Center aims to be bipartisan”. Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 16, 2013. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/las-vegas-review-journal/20131116/281745562160423
  13. “Sandoval learned from history to achieve historic tax increase”. KSNV News3LV. June 2, 2015. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://news3lv.com/archive/sandoval-learned-from-history-to-achieve-historic-tax-increase
  14. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/races/contributors?cycle=2004&id=NV03&spec=N
  15. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Tom Gallagher”. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Tom+Gallagher&cycle=&state=NV&zip=89120&employ=&cand=
  16. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Kathleen Conaboy”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Kathleen+Conaboy
  17. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Deane Albright”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Deane+Albright
  18. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Michael Daubs”. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Michael+Daubs
  19. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Alex de Castroverde”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Alex+de+Castroverde
  20. Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia.org. “Dale Erquiaga”.Accessed January 20, 2020. https://ballotpedia.org/Dale_Erquiaga
  21. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Dale Erquiaga”. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Dale+Erquiaga
  22. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Daniel W Hamilton”. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Daniel+W+Hamilton
  23. Whaley , Sean. “Longtime Assemblyman Pat Hickey Wont Seek Re-Election.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 4, 2015. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/longtime-assemblyman-pat-hickey-wont-seek-re-election/.
  24. Morton, Neal. “Assemblyman Pat Hickey tapped to fill seat on state Board of Education”. Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 12, 2016. Accessed January 20, 2020.   https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/education/assemblyman-pat-hickey-tapped-to-fill-seat-on-state-board-of-education/
  25. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Patrick Hickey”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Patrick+Hickey&cycle=&state=NV&zip=&employ=&cand=
  26. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Dana Lee”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?cand=&cycle=&employ=&name=Dana+Lee&page=1&state=NV&zip=
  27. Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Guinncenter.org. “About us”. “Board”. Accessed January 20, 2020.   https://guinncenter.org/about-us/board/
  28. Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Guinncenter.org. “About us”. “Board”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://guinncenter.org/about-us/board/
  29. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Donald D Snyder”. Accessed January 20, 2020.   https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Donald+D+Snyder
  30. Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. “Politicians & Elections”. “Donor Lookup”. “Nancy Brune”. Accessed January 20, 2020.  https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Nancy+Brune
  31. Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia.org. “Erin Bilbray”. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://ballotpedia.org/Erin_Bilbray
  32. Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/464075622_201712_990_2018092015711854.pdf
  33. Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Proposal to the Nevada Commission for Women. June 13, 2016. Accessed January 20, 2020. http://admin.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/adminnvgov/content/Boards/Women/Meetings/2016/June%2017,%20Guinn%20Center%20CFW%20Proposal.pdf
  34. Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau. “Report: many Nevadans without health insurance qualify for help”. The Nevada Appeal. September 6, 2019. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/report-many-nevadans-without-health-insurance-qualify-for-help/
  35. Snyder, Riley. “Report: Income inequality in Nevada has worsened over last decade, amid stagnant wages and rising household costs”. Nevada Independent. April 25, 2019. Accessed January 20, 2020. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/report-income-inequality-has-worsened-over-last-decade-amid-stagnant-wages-and-rising-household-costs
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 2014

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Dec Form 990 $444,233 $421,884 $180,822 $1,200 N $444,233 $0 $0 $128,189 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $320,783 $348,268 $162,273 $5,000 N $320,783 $0 $0 $132,864 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $382,627 $237,848 $193,751 $0 N $382,627 $0 $0 $200,132 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $81,814 $123,331 $71,526 $13,149 N $81,814 $0 $0 $118,913 PDF

    Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities

    3281 S Highland Drive
    Las Vegas, NV 89109
    United States