Nevada governor to expand on top priorities in key speech

New Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo gives his first “State of the State” address to a packed joint-session of the Democratic-controlled Legislature in the Assembly Chambers in Carson City, Nev., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Gabe Stern)

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is set in his State of the State address to expand on plans for increased school choice and a potential raise for Nevada state employees, weeks after taking office on a pledge to work with the Democratic-run Legislature. 

The speech will offer more clarity on how he plans to fulfill promises made on the campaign trail and in early remarks, including vows to diversify Nevada’s casino and tourism-dependent economy and make unprecedented investments in education. 

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Lombardo, the former Clark County sheriff, also has talked about walking back criminal justice reforms passed under Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak that he has called soft on crime. 

Lombardo defeated Sisolak in November, becoming the only Republican challenger to defeat a Democratic incumbent in a governor’s race in 2022. Democrats hold the majority in the Senate and a supermajority in the Assembly.