Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) listed his current priorities — including fiscally responsible budget, school safety, school choice, government efficiency and crime reduction — in a press release published on Twitter May 25.
“I will not sign any budget bills until my priorities are addressed. Period,” Lombardo wrote.
One of the key bills regarding Lombardo’s agenda is Assembly Bill 400, which focuses on expanding school choice, according to The Nevada Globe. AB 400 would broaden the scope of Opportunity Scholarships, which provide funding for private schools by raising the income threshold to include a greater number of students. This would involve raising the income threshold from $89,000 to $150,000 for families of four. The bill would also create an Office of School Choice within the Nevada Department of Education and allow charter schools to apply for public funding for student transportation.
In his Statement on Budget Bills, Lombardo said that state Democrats were fast-tracking five bills related to Nevada’s budget. However, Lombardo added that he wouldn’t consider any of the bills until his “day one priorities” had been addressed. The governor also threatened to veto the budget entirely and call a special session, raising concerns of a potential legislative standoff.
“Before the Senate and Assembly take final action on these five bills today, tomorrow or the next day, I suggest they reconsider their decision and delay final passage until the policy priorities that I spelled out on day one are on my desk,” Lombardo said in the statement. “If they choose to test my resolve, I’ll make it easy for them. The people of Nevada hired me to protect their interests, and that is what I intend to do.”
Many Nevada politicians and educators voiced their concerns regarding AB 400, worried about diverting funds from public schools. Elementary school teacher Vicki Kreidel argued that the state’s education system can’t afford further budget cuts, and the public school classrooms would see a decrease in quality, putting the quality of education at risk, according to The Nevada Globe.
