The Culinary Union wants the Legislature to tie rent increases to the cost of living and fund mental health services for children, and they warned lawmakers mulling action to “ignore this at their own peril.”

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, spoke Thursday to outline the union’s legislative priorities, which includes passing reforms to tackle the rising costs of housing and the lack of tenant protections. 

Proposals include clarifying local officials’ ability to implement regulation around affordable housing, connecting rent increases to the the cost of living with a 5% cap, and reforming Nevada’s summary eviction system, which is a unique practice to the state that requires a tenant be the first to file with the court after receiving a notice from a landlord. 

“We don’t have any time for platitudes and aspirational goals,” Pappageorge said. “We are not interested in hearing any of that. We expect results from this legislature and our governor.”