The federal government has announced a new plan for managing the Colorado River, and beginning in 2027, Nevada, Arizona, and California will be required to use less water.

For Nevada, that means a reduction of 50,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water each year in 2027 and 2028.

Nevada already receives the smallest share of Colorado River water among the seven basin states, just 300,000 acre-feet annually. And while Nevada has become a national leader in water conservation and reuse, the larger reality remains:

There is less water in the Colorado River system than communities have historically planned around.

That raises some important questions for Nevada.

• How do we continue building desperately needed housing while protecting our limited water resources?
• What should we expect from water-intensive industries and new development?
• How do we ensure conservation doesn’t disproportionately burden low-income families?
• How do we respect Tribal water rights and sovereignty?
• And how do all seven Colorado River Basin states share responsibility for protecting a river millions of people depend upon?

These questions are especially important as Nevada continues conversations about rapid growth, data centers, housing, energy production, agriculture, and development across our state.

For people of faith, water is more than a commodity.

Water sustains life.

Water connects communities.

Water reminds us that creation is not simply something to consume, but something entrusted to our care.

Nevada has recently decided to sue the Federal Government.

As Nevada looks toward the 2027, LEAN will continue following the intersection between water, development, affordability, and care for creation. Nevadas response and advocating for policy positions that are aligned with Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.

Because the question isn’t simply how much water Nevada gets.

It is also:

How do we faithfully and equitably share what we have?

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!