‘Nevada is on the move’: Gov. Sisolak gives State of the State address

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KOLO) - The COVID-19 pandemic, small business recovery, education, child care and infrastructure were among the issues addressed during Governor Steve Sisolak’s State of the State speech Wednesday from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The governor opened his speech first with recognizing first responders, teachers, and support staff, like bus drivers and cafeteria workers, thanking them for leading the way through the pandemic.

“Because of you, the state of our state is resilient and getting stronger every day,” the governor said. “Nevada is on the move.”

The governor acknowledged the rising costs Nevadans are facing, including gas prices, groceries, child care, and housing. During his address, he announced a number of proposals aimed at helping Nevada families to bring costs down.

Announcements included:

• The Home Means Nevada initiative, a $500 million investment using federal funds to lower the cost of housing, help people stay in their homes, and create good-paying jobs.
• An additional $160 million investment to help lower childcare costs for parents and keep childcare workers on the job, doubling the number of families the State will be able to support.
• Nevada will join the Northwest Prescription Drug Consortium, along with Oregon and Washington State. By negotiating with drug companies together, states can start holding companies accountable to bring costs down.
• For the next two years, the State will use federal dollars to cover the cost of school lunches for all students.
• Creating a working group to focus on a statewide heat strategy to help fight climate change.
• Convening a bipartisan task force to further red tape when it comes to occupational licensing to help spur business and economic development, along with the first ever Nevada Small Business Accelerator Program -- to help new startups get off the ground and expand.
• Directing the Governor’s Workforce Development Committee to explore ways to make community college or other apprentice and training programs free for more Nevadans by 2025.
• Committing to providing raises for Nevada State Police in the budget proposal the Governor will submit to the legislature.

Gov. Sisolak closed his speech, urging Nevadans to work together. “When we put aside party labels, put down our heads and get to work. That’s the true battle born spirit that has propelled our state forward for the last 157 years.”

GOP RESPONSE:

Senate Republican Leader James Settelmeyer delivered the official GOP response to Gov. Sisolak’s speech. He addressed pandemic spending, saying in part:

“The governor has so far relied on how Nevada will spend the $6.7 billion in relief assistance from the federal government. But spending money is not leadership. Leadership is about making our government more efficient and effective for the people. This money will be spent to grow the government’s size but with no thought on how to fund that growth when the money is gone.”

Settelmeyer also addressed how schools are navigating the pandemic, and noted shortages throughout the state, including in Washoe County.

“Just last week, the Washoe County School District decided to rotate which schools will lose bus service each week. This year, the Clark County School District has had more than 6,000 school violence instances. These are problems that are not being addressed. Schools feel unstable and unsecure. This turmoil in education is leading to real world consequences for students, teachers, and their parents.”

To watch Settelmeyer’s response in its entirety, click here.

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