If you are watching television in Nevada right now, you have probably seen the campaign ads.

One ad tells us what Joe Lombardo has done for education. Another reminds us that Aaron Ford was a teacher and supports public education.

But campaign ads are not always the most reliable way to understand public policy.

So instead of focusing on the ads, LEAN wanted to take a closer look at what Nevada has actually done.

During the 2025 Legislative Session, Nevada passed one of the largest education overhauls in state history. Senate Bill 460, an omnibus education bill nearly 200 pages long, made sweeping changes to public education—from literacy and teacher recruitment to school choice, governance and accountability.

A year later, Nevada is reaching an important next step.

Beginning this month, the Nevada Department of Education is piloting a new framework for evaluating the performance of entire school districts, not just individual schools.

The idea is to identify problems earlier.

Is a district financially stable?
Can it recruit and retain enough teachers?
Is its leadership effective?
Most importantly, are students succeeding?

Eventually, districts that continue to struggle could face increasing levels of state intervention and oversight. But the full system is not expected to be in place until at least 2028 or 2029.

For Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, this raises an important question:

What does meaningful accountability look like?

Accountability matters. Nevada families deserve strong public schools, qualified educators, responsible leadership, and systems that help every child thrive.

But accountability cannot simply mean identifying which schools and districts are struggling.

We also have to ask why they are struggling.

Teacher shortages, poverty, housing instability, chronic absenteeism, special education needs, transportation challenges, and the realities facing rural communities all affect what happens in a classroom.

As Nevada continues implementing SB 460 and prepares for the 2027 Legislative Session, LEAN will be watching closely.

Will Nevada’s new accountability system simply identify which districts are struggling—or will we also invest in the educators, resources, families, and communities necessary to help them succeed?

Public education is about more than numbers on a dashboard.

It is about Nevada’s children, families, educators, and the future of our communities.

Data centers and energy costs: 

Ford supports requiring data centers to provide their own power so their energy demands do not increase costs for residential ratepayers. He recently announced a new policy on data centers.

Lombardo did not give a direct yes/no answer, arguing Nevada already has mechanisms through the PUC and economic-development incentives to protect ratepayers. 

Education funding: 

Ford supports bringing Nevada’s per-pupil funding to the national average, an estimated $2 billion increase, but says he would do it without raising taxes.

Lombardo has not committed to reaching the national average and says future proposals depend partly on state revenue projections.

Both support retaining third graders who do not meet reading-proficiency requirements, though Ford says adjustments could be considered. 

Housing: 

Ford supports limiting corporate purchases of single-family homes and targeting predatory landlords.

Lombardo has not directly endorsed a numerical state cap; he vetoed a corporate-purchase cap in 2023 and has since discussed other approaches to corporate ownership.

Voting: 

Lombardo supports requiring photo identification to vote.

Ford opposes the requirement, arguing there is insufficient evidence of voter fraud to justify adding another requirement.

Editiorial note: Nevada voters approved the constitutional voter-ID question in 2024, and it must pass again in November 2026 to take effect.

Criminal justice: 

Lombardo favors lowering Nevada’s felony-theft threshold from $1,200 to $750 and supports retaining the death penalty.

Ford supports keeping the $1,200 threshold and says he would sign legislation repealing the death penalty.

Resources Used:

The Nevada Independent

Joe Lombardo

Aaron Ford

As Nevada experiences the contained growth in data center proposals, one question deserves more attention:

A new investigation by The Nevada Independent found that several companies are seeking zoning changes, permits, and other approvals while holding only purchase options or agreements, not ownership of the land itself.

This raises important questions for communities across Nevada.

When counties approve projects before a developer has made a long-term commitment, local governments may begin planning for roads, utilities, emergency services, and other infrastructure without knowing whether the project will ultimately move forward. It also opens the door for development approvals to become assets that can later be transferred or sold.

As people of faith, we believe stewardship means carefully considering how land, water, energy, and public resources are used. Decisions of this scale should be guided by transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation.

Nevada’s rapid data center expansion is reshaping our state. That makes it all the more important that our policies keep pace—ensuring communities have a voice, public resources are protected, and development serves the common good rather than speculation.

Thoughtful planning today will help ensure Nevada’s future is both innovative and sustainable.

As students, parents, teachers, and staff return to playgrounds, classrooms, hallways, and lunchrooms across Nevada, we give thanks for the educators and school staff who show up every day to support, encourage, and inspire a new generation of leaders.

We pray for students as they learn and grow, for teachers and staff as they begin another year of service, and for families as they support their children along the way.

We also pray for schools across Nevada—that they may be places where every student feels safe, welcomed, supported, and ready to learn.

From Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, thank you to Nevada’s educators and school staff for all you do.

Have a safe, joyful, and wonderful school year!

Across the country, a hunger crisis is unfolding. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 4.5 million people have lost SNAP benefits since July 2025, including an estimated 1.5 million children.

And more changes are coming.

Beginning October 1, federal support for administering SNAP will be cut in half. At the same time, states are facing the possibility of being required to pay a portion of SNAP benefits for the first time.

For Nevada, this isn’t an abstract federal policy debate. It could become a significant issue when the Nevada Legislature returns to Carson City in 2027.

When states are forced to absorb millions of dollars in new costs, the consequences ultimately reach our communities: families trying to put food on the table, seniors living on fixed incomes, children who depend on reliable meals, and food banks and congregations already working to meet growing needs.

Food banks and churches do incredible work, but charity cannot replace SNAP.

As Congress considers the Farm Bill, Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada joins advocates across the country calling for a Farm Bill that strengthens SNAP, protects access to food assistance, and gives states the resources they need to serve eligible families.

As people of faith, we believe feeding our neighbors is not simply an act of charity. It is part of our shared responsibility to build communities where everyone has enough.

The decisions being made in Washington today will shape the choices Nevada faces tomorrow.

Contact your lawmakers today. Customize your message with your experiences and values.

Find your Member of Congress Here

Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro, 202-224-3542, https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/

Senator Jackie Rosen, 202-224-6244, https://www.rosen.senate.gov/

Rep. Dina Titus, (202)-225-5965, https://titus.house.gov/

Rep. Mark Amodei, (202)-225-6155, https://amodei.house.gov/

Rep. Susie Lee, (202)-225-3252, https://susielee.house.gov/

Rep Steven Horsford, (202)-225-9894, https://horsford.house.gov/

If you would like to schedule time with your legislator, please reach out to Pastor Paul,and he is willing to work with ELCA Advocacy Partners to secure a time.

ACT NOW