Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Pushes for Bipartisan Solutions on Housing and Healthcare

Nevada’s Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is seeking bipartisan collaboration with the state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to address pressing issues such as affordable housing and healthcare.

Lombardo emphasized the need for cooperation, urging lawmakers to set aside partisan differences and work together to solve these challenges, warning that inaction would only exacerbate the state’s problems.

He unveiled plans to restructure the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, creating the Nevada Health Authority to streamline services like Medicaid and mental health programs. The goal is to improve healthcare access, including better insurance options for state employees and Medicaid recipients.

Lombardo also pointed to federal land management as a barrier to affordable housing in Nevada, asking President-elect Donald Trump for assistance in securing more land for development. He expressed confidence that Trump could help address the issue, which is complicated by the federal government’s reluctance to release land for housing projects.

Additionally, Lombardo aims to build on his 2023 efforts, including expanding school choice, increasing teacher pay, and diversifying the state’s economy beyond its reliance on tourism and casinos. His proposed budget includes permanent pay raises for teachers, extending to charter schools as well.

In response, the Nevada Democratic Party criticized Lombardo for not offering substantive solutions to the state’s rising costs of living, accusing him of obstructing Democratic efforts to address housing, food insecurity, and other critical issues during the 2023 legislative session.

Lombardo vetoed a record 75 bills, including those intended to protect renters, reform eviction laws, provide free school lunches, and offer insurance stipends for substitute teachers.

This pattern of divided government is also playing out in Arizona, where Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has expressed optimism about finding common ground with the GOP-controlled Legislature as the session begins.

 

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