Washoe County, the DA’s Office & Health District Spent Taxpayer Dollars on Lobbying—And What It Reveals

The Punch Line: When you've got budget shortfalls and big regulatory battles brewing, rolling the dice on lobbying is sometimes seen as the smarter bet than silent suffering—or public backlash.

Washoe County Lobbying Expenses for 2025

The Takeaway; is it smart of scandalous? It depends on your frame:

Smart: They engaged with nearly 70% of bills affecting county operations; lobbyists helped craft language in successful bills and defend against damaging ones.

Lobbying Expenditure Summary for 2025

Political Cover: Campaigns—like DA Hicks’s re‑election in 2026—mean every misstep in court or health policy ends up in public criticism; legislative lobbying helps pre‑emptively shape outcomes.

Washoe County and its associated offices weren’t spending big lobbying dollars out of luxury—they were gearing up for a high‑stakes legislative battlefield where everything from public health policy to criminal justice philosophy and affordable housing funding was being decided.

The Interim Washoe County Manager’s cover letter.