A new civic engagement venture called The Nevada Forum launches today in Las Vegas, dedicated to bringing people together across the political divide. Backers see it as a tool to help tackle some of the state’s biggest problems.

The Nevada Forum is a project of "The People," a national nonprofit with similar aims, supported by a diverse group of nonpartisan philanthropic funders. Lead architect Andrew Shue is a civic innovator and actor best known for his role in the TV series "Melrose Place." He started working on this project 10 years ago, troubled by the divisions paralyzing the United States.

"This is the first time ever we have a process for citizen-created legislation that really could become our way out of our divisions and our solution to the biggest problems of our day," Shue said.

Organizers ask people to check out their platform and take a short survey to identify and comment on what they think are the most pressing issues. The plan is to hold deliberative forums, then convene a civic assembly for three days in late August. Then they will present Nevada lawmakers with clear, actionable insights, endorsed by 70% of the participants.

Leaders from both sides of the aisle in Nevada have signed on, including Greg Bailor, the former head of the Republican National Committee in Nevada; and Chris Miller, the former chairman of the Clark County Democratic Party.

Miller said Nevadans must come together, both rural and urban, to find compromise to solve tough issues.

"We have problems that need to have a conversation started," Miller said. "Housing costs, the cost and availability of health care, water, and public lands are four big ones in this state."

The Forum is nonpartisan, does not accept funds from political parties, and will not endorse candidates. A similar effort is now taking shape in New Hampshire and South Carolina, two other states well known for their early spot on the presidential primary calendar.

Source: Public News Service