>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO NEVADA WEEK'S SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR JOSEPH LOMBARDO'S VERY FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WE WILL GO TO HIS SPEECH AS SOON AS IT BEGINS.

AFTER WE WILL JOINED BY JESSICA HILL POLITICS REPORTER FOR LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL.

DAVID DAMORE, UNLV'S DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE CHAIR, WARREN HARDY FORMER REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR AND PRINCIPAL FOR HIS FIRM WARREN HARDY STRATEGIES.

AND CHRIS GIUNCHIGLIANI FORMER DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLYWOMAN AND FORMER CLARK COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

WE WILL GET THEIR INSIGHT INTO NEW GOVERNOR LAID OUT IN HIS ADDRESS AND WHAT COULD BE AHEAD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT STARTS FEBRUARY 6TH.

WE ARE MONITORING GOVERNOR AS WE SPEAK.

WAITING FOR HIM TO APPROACH THE PODIUM.

AND IT IS TIME TO GO TO CARSON CITY FOR THE STATE OF THE STATE.

THE COMMITTEE WILL COME BACK TO ORDER THE HONORABLE JOE LOMBARDO GOVERNOR OF STATE OF NEVADA IS AT THE BAR OF THE ASSEMBLY.

THE POINTED COMMITTEE WILL ESCORT GOVERNOR LOMBARDO AND HIS FAMILY TO SEATS IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER.

PLEASE RISE.

[ APPLAUSE ] PLEASE BE SEATED.

GOVERNOR LOMBARDO, WE WELCOME YOU TO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR MESSAGE.

>> THANK YOU.

SPEAKER YEAGER; MAJORITY LEADER CANNIZZARO AND BABY; LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTHONY; MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY; HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT; CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS; CONGRESSMAN AMODEI, THANK YOU, SIR.

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS; MY FELLOW NEVADANS.

GOOD EVENING.

BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, WE ALL KNOW FAMILIES ARE THE BEDROCK OF OUR SOCIETY AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY FAMILY.

FIRST LADY DONNA LOMBARDO AND OUR DAUGHTERS MORGAN AND LACEY.

[ APPLAUSE ] UNFORTUNATELY, MORGAN COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT, BUT I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MY 1-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON TEDDY.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO MY FAMILY, WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

PLEASE GIVE THEM A WARM WELCOME.

[ APPLAUSE ] I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE EACH OF YOUR FAMILIES, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE SACRIFICES THEY MAKE SO THAT WE CAN BE HERE.

THEIR SERVICE TO OUR STATE IS NO LESS SIGNIFICANT THAN OURS.

MY SINCEREST THANKS TO YOUR FAMILIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO BEGIN BUILDING UPON THE STEWARDSHIP OF THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO CAME BEFORE US.

I WOULD LIKE TO PAUSE TO REMEMBER SOME NEVADA LEADERS WHO HAVE GIFTED US THEIR LEGACY: CONGRESSMAN AND STATE SENATOR JIM BILBRAY, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AND LT.

GOVERNOR BOB ROSE, ASSEMBLYMAN AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER DAVID HUMKE, ASSEMBLYWOMAN JANE HAM, ASSEMBLYWOMAN AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER MYRNA WILLIAMS, AND STATE SENATOR SPIKE WILSON.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE OF A NEVADAN WHO SERVED IN THE ASSEMBLY 54 YEARS AGO - ALBEIT FOR ONLY ONE TERM - BUT A MAN WHO, WHETHER YOU AGREED WITH HIM OR NOT, NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING FOR NEVADA ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP - US SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID.

[ APPLAUSE ] JOIN ME FOR A MOMENT OF REFLECTION AS WE EXTEND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE REID FAMILY AND THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHOSE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR STATE WILL BE REMEMBERED.

VETERANS AS A MILITARY VETERAN, I WANT TO SALUTE THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN OUR MILITARY AROUND THE GLOBE.

WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT NEVADA HAS NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS STATIONED IN NUMEROUS FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

AS WE SIT HERE THIS EVENING, OUR ADJUTANT GENERAL ONDRA BERRY IS IN ROMANIA VISITING THE NEVADA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 137TH MILITARY POLICE DETACHMENT.

OUR MILITARY FAMILIES SERVE OUR NATION AND TONIGHT, WE HONOR THEM.

AND WE HONOR THEIR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN WHOSE SACRIFICES HELP TO KEEP US SAFE.

[ APPLAUSE ] ON BEHALF OF A PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL STATE, WE APPRECIATE ALL THEY DO TO DEFEND OUR LIBERTIES.

OUR VETERANS DESERVE NOTHING LESS THAN OUR BEST EFFORT.

[ APPLAUSE ] I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE A VETERAN SERVING IN MY ADMINISTRATION, MY BUDGET DIRECTOR, AMY STEPHENSON.

AMY, WHERE ARE YOU?

THERE SHE IS.

[ APPLAUSE ] AMY IS A DISABLED US NAVY VETERAN WHO HAS WORKED FOR NEVADA FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN NUMEROUS DEPARTMENTS.

PLEASE HELP ME THANK AMY FOR HER SERVICE TO THE STATE AND TO THE NATION.

THANK YOU, AMY.

[ APPLAUSE ] UH-OH.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S TEDDY'S BEDTIME.

THAT'S DISAPPOINTING.

[ LAUGHTER ] EARLIER THIS MONTH, I SAID IN MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS, OUR NEVADA HISTORY TEACHES US TO PERSEVERE WHILE OTHERS SETTLE FOR LESS.

TIME AND AGAIN, WE HAVE GATHERED OUR RESOLVE AND DOUBLED OUR DETERMINATION WHEN OTHERS TELL US IT CAN'T BE DONE OR SHOULDN'T BE TRIED.

WE INSTINCTIVELY DO THE OPPOSITE.

AS GOVERNOR, I AM FILLED WITH HOPE AND OPTIMISM OF WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH IF WE SIMPLY SUMMON THE WILL TO WORK TOGETHER.

IT IS MY INTENTION TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH ALL OF YOU TO WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER OF NEVADA HISTORY, THAT WILL RECORD, THAT WE DID IT THE NEVADA WAY - NEVER [ APPLAUSE ] NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER STOP DREAMING.

I AM HERE TO SAY TO YOU TONIGHT OUR STATE OF THE STATE IS GROWING STRONGER EVERY DAY.

[ APPLAUSE ] BUT THE PANDEMIC LAID BARE JUST HOW VULNERABLE OUR ECONOMY IS, AND IN AN UNEXPECTED TWIST OF FATE, THE PANDEMIC ALSO CREATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS, AN UNPRECEDENTED BUDGET SURPLUS.

WITH THIS IN MIND, MY REMARKS WILL BE CANDID.

ON THE ONE HAND, WE HAVE EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR GRASP BUT, ON THE OTHER, WE MUST NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO GIVE WAY TO THE TEMPTATION TO OVERSPEND.

WE MUST REMAIN DEDICATED TO THE TWIN PROPOSITIONS OF SAVING FOR AND GUARDING AGAINST.

THE NEXT UNEXPECTED EVENT THAT SHAKES OUR ECONOMY AND RATTLES OUR LIVELIHOODS.

AS A FORMER NEVADAN NAMED SAMUEL CLEMENS, BETTER KNOWN BY THE PEN NAME MARK TWAIN, ONCE WROTE, “THE SECRET TO GETTING AHEAD IS GETTING STARTED.

” MY FELLOW NEVADANS, LET'S GET STARTED.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY EXECUTIVE BUDGET NOT ONLY LOWERS THE TAX BURDEN ON WORKING FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES, BUT IT ALSO RESERVES MORE THAN $1 DOLLAR IN SAVINGS FOR EVERY NEW DOLLAR IN GENERAL FUND SPENDING.

[ APPLAUSE ] YOU CAN CLAP.

IT BEARS REPEATING, WE WILL RESERVE MORE THAN $1 DOLLAR IN SAVINGS FOR EVERY NEW DOLLAR IN GENERAL FUND SPENDING.

THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET REVERSES CUTS TO SOME PROGRAMS MADE DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND ADDRESSES LONG-OVERDUE INVESTMENTS IN PEOPLE, PROGRAMS, AND FACILITIES.

BUT IT DOES SO RESPONSIBLY.

NOT A PENNY OF THE STATE'S ONE-TIME SURPLUS WILL BE USED TO FUND ANY RECURRING PROGRAMS.

[ APPLAUSE ] FOR EXAMPLE, BY USING ONE-TIME MONEY TO FUND $412 MILLION DOLLARS IN DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND PLANNING COSTS.

TAXPAYERS GET SAFER, MORE EFFICIENT, AND MORE FUNCTIONAL STATE BUILDINGS.

MY BUDGET ALSO SAVES TAXPAYERS OVER $260 MILLION DOLLARS IN INTEREST PAYMENTS ON BONDS, ENABLING US TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CREATE MORE CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN FUTURE YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN SIMPLE ECONOMIC TERMS, WE'RE BUYING WITH CASH INSTEAD OF CREDIT.

[ APPLAUSE ] TODAY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MORE MONEY THAN WE CAN RESPONSIBLY SPEND; HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT.

LOOK AROUND.

EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS - GROCERIES, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES.

NOWHERE IS THIS MORE EVIDENT THAN AT THE PUMP.

THE PRICE OF GASOLINE IN NEVADA HAS AVERAGED MORE THAN $4.00 DOLLAR PER GALLON IN THE PAST YEAR, NEARLY $1 DOLLAR HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE MY EXECUTIVE BUDGET SUSPENDS THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL TAX FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IMMEDIATELY REDUCING THE PRICE OF GASOLINE AND SAVING CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES APPROXIMATELY $250 MILLION DOLLARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN TERMS OF A FAMILY OF FOUR, THAT TRANSLATES TO HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN SAVINGS.

WORKING WITH LOCAL GAS STATION OPERATORS, THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION, WE WILL MAKE CERTAIN THAT THESE SAVINGS EXCLUSIVELY BENEFIT TAXPAYERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] USING OUR BUDGET SURPLUS TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF WON'T NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR FUEL-TAX FUNDED ROAD AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM OR IMPAIR BONDS.

WE MUST ALWAYS REMAIN MINDFUL THAT OUR FINANCIAL SURPLUS COMES FROM THE POCKETS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.

APPLAUSE >> THERE YOU GO.

YES.

AND AS SUCH WE WILL NOT STOP SEARCHING FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO RETURN MONEY TO THE TAXPAYERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN THAT SAME SPIRIT MY BUDGET LOWERS THE MODIFIED BUSINESS TAX AND COMMERCE TAX IN THAT SAME SPIRIT, MY BUDGET LOWERS THE MODIFIED BUSINESS TAX RATE BY 15 PERCENT TO 1.17 PERCENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] FURTHERMORE, MY BUDGET RAISES THE EXEMPTION FOR BUSINESSES SUBJECT TO THE COMMERCE TAX BY 50 PERCENT FROM $4 MILLION TO $6 MILLION DOLLARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS REPRESENTS THE FIRST TIME THE COMMERCE TAX EXEMPTION HAS BEEN ADJUSTED IN FAVOR OF TAXPAYERS EVER.

THESE TAX REDUCTIONS ENSURE THAT RISING PRICES DON'T CREATE INCREASED BURDENS FOR NEVADA BUSINESSES.

NO SUNSETS.

NO COURT DECISIONS.

NO GIMMICKS.

JUST PLAIN OLD FASHION TAX CUTS THAT ALLOW NEVADANS TO KEEP MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO BRACE OURSELVES DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE DRAINED THE RAINY DAY FUND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

RESERVES WERE NOT DEEP ENOUGH TO STAVE OFF CUTS TO EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND OTHER CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICES.

I REGRET TO SAY IT BUT NEVADA WILL LIKELY FACE ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF INSTABILITY AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO, NOR SHOULD WE, RELY ON FEDERAL BAILOUTS TO FUND GOVERNMENT.

YOU CAN CLAP.

[ APPLAUSE ] I LIKE THAT ONE.

TO PROTECT US IN THE FUTURE, MY EXECUTIVE BUDGET INCREASES SAVINGS IN THE RAINY DAY FUND FROM 20 PERCENT TO 30 PERCENT [ APPLAUSE ] AND FULLY FUNDS THAT ACCOUNT.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE WILL PLACE ANOTHER $630 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE RAINY DAY FUND TO BE USED WHEN DARK CLOUDS AGAIN GATHER ON THE HORIZON.

MOSS [ APPLAUSE ] AS I SAID BEFORE, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IS THE BACKBONE OF MY BUDGET.

AND I MEAN IT.

OVERALL, MY BUDGET SETS ASIDE MORE THAN $2 BILLION DOLLARS IN TOTAL SAVINGS TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST CUTS TO EDUCATION AND CRITICAL PROGRAMS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

TWO BILLY I DON'T KNOW DOLLARS FOLKS, TWO BILLION.

[ APPLAUSE ] INCLUDED IN THOSE SAVINGS IS $315 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE NEVADA WAY FUND, A NEW SUB-ACCOUNT TO BE USED FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN AREAS SUCH AS EMERGING MARKETS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH ENDS OF THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY, AS WELL AS IN OTHER EMERGING MARKETS IN NEVADA.

APPROVAL OF THE NEVADA WAY FUNDS WILL BE AUTHORIZED BY THE NEWLY FORMED NEVADA WAY LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE, MADE UP OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE BIPARTISAN LEADERSHIP OF THE NEVADA LEGISLATURE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE NEVADA WAY FUND SIMPLY REAFFIRMS THAT WE NEVER STOP DREAMING AND THAT WE ARE FULLY PREPARED TO ACT ON THOSE TIMES WHEN MARKET OPPORTUNITY AND NEW CAPITAL MERGE.

IN MATTERS OF OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, I THINK THE BEST POLITICS IS NO POLITICS.

[ APPLAUSE ] LET'S AGREE TO SET ASIDE POLITICS AND TURF GUARDING TO DEAL WITH THE STUBBORN FACTS REGARDING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN NEVADA.

NEVADA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERFUNDED AND HAVE HISTORICALLY UNDERPERFORMED FOR OUR CHILDREN.

BOTH OF THOSE FACTS MUST CHANGE.

[ APPLAUSE ] TONIGHT, I'M PROPOSING THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN K-12 EDUCATION AND RAISING THE BAR ON EXPECTATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO A LEVEL NOT YET SEEN IN NEVADA.

MY BUDGET CONTAINS $2 BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW FUNDING FOR OUR STUDENTS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THAT'S AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 22 PERCENT FROM WHAT WAS APPROPRIATED IN THE CURRENT BIENNIUM.

THAT'S TWO BILLION NEW DOLLARS FOR LITERACY, FOR INSTRUCTION, FOR OUR CHILDREN.

[ APPLAUSE ] PERHAPS MOST GROUNDBREAKING IS THE COMMITMENT TO EQUITY.

WHEN THE PUPIL CENTERED FUNDING PLAN WAS CREATED, EQUITY WAS BUILT INTO THE FORMULA THROUGH THE WEIGHTS, FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, AT-RISK STUDENTS, AND GIFTED AND TALENTED LEARNERS.

I'M EXCEEDINGLY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT MY BUDGET FULLY FUNDS THE TARGETED WEIGHTS IN THE PUPIL CENTERED FUNDING PLAN, STREAMLINING THOSE DOLLARS TO THE CLASSROOMS AND STUDENTS WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

[ APPLAUSE ] WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, MY BUDGET PROPOSES SPENDING MORE THAN $2,000 DOLLARS PER STUDENT MORE NEXT YEAR.

AFTER YEARS OF CELEBRATING A HUNDRED DOLLARS HERE AND THERE, THIS INVESTMENT IS TRULY HISTORIC.

[ APPLAUSE ] HERE'S THE TOUGH PART.

ALONG WITH THIS FUNDING, I EXPECT RESULTS.

I WON'T ACCEPT A LACK OF FUNDING AS AN EXCUSE FOR UNDERPERFORMANCE.

I'LL BE WORKING WITH THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO ENSURE OUR SYSTEMS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ARE ROBUST AND ENFORCED.

AND IF WE DON'T BEGIN SEEING RESULTS, I'LL BE STANDING HERE IN TWO YEARS CALLING FOR SYSTEMATIC CHANGES TO THE GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP IN K-12 EDUCATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] EVERY NEVADA CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO A QUALITY EDUCATION AND SHOULD BE COLLEGE OR CAREER READY BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT - AND SHOULD NOT - BE THE ONLY OPTION.

[ APPLAUSE ] PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MAGNET SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, MICRO SCHOOLS, VIRTUAL SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOLING ARE ALL VIABLE ALTERNATIVES THAT CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR STUDENT SUCCESS.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY GOAL AFTER WE FINISH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS TO GIVE NEVADA PARENTS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CHOICES TO MAKE ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] I WILL BE SUBMITTING LEGISLATION TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL CHOICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO EVALUATE EVERY AVAILABLE OPTION AND THAT ALL EDUCATION PROVIDERS ARE HELD TO SIMILAR STANDARDS.

[ APPLAUSE ] NEVADA'S PUPIL CENTERED FUNDING PLAN IS BUILT ON THE IDEA THAT EDUCATION DOLLARS SHOULD CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND SHOULD FOLLOW THEM NO MATTER WHAT SCHOOL THEY ATTEND.

[ APPLAUSE ] I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH PARENTS WILL AN ADVOCATE INSIDE A GOTH PROMOTING EXPANSION OF SCHOOL CHOICE IN NEVADA.

[ APPLAUSE ] SENATOR HEIDI GANSERT ON EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

SHE'S BEEN A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE VOICE ON THIS CENTRAL COMPONENT OF SCHOOL CHOICE AND, DUE TO HER LEADERSHIP AND OTHERS, I FULLY EXPECT OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS TO RECEIVE A RECORD AMOUNT OF FUNDING THIS SESSION.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN TOTAL, MY EXECUTIVE BUDGET PUTS MORE MONEY IN PUBLIC K-12 SCHOOLS AND INTRODUCES MORE STUDENT AND PARENTAL CHOICES THAN ANY BUDGET IN NEVADA HISTORY.

[ APPLAUSE ] TEACHERS DESERVE A SAFE AND STABLE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN TEACH AND STUDENTS CAN LEARN.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEVADA HISTORY, WE WILL ALLOCATE OVER $730 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE EDUCATION STABILIZATION ACCOUNT, WHICH IS A RAINY DAY FUND SOLELY DEDICATED TO K-12.

[ APPLAUSE ] INTEREST FROM THIS ACCOUNT WILL BE INNOVATIVELY USED TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WHO ATTEND NEVADA COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES, AND WHO ARE WILLING TO TEACH IN NEVADA SCHOOLS FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] ADDITIONALLY, CAREER AND TECHNICAL ACADEMIES, SIGNATURE ACADEMIES AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHOULD BE USED TO INCREASE THE PIPELINE OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

AND, TO FURTHER ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE SHORTAGE, WE SHOULD ALLOW RETIRED EDUCATORS TO DRAW BOTH THEIR RETIREMENT AND A SALARY, WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED AND NO UNNECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES TO CLEAR.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO HELP KEEP THE TEACHER PIPELINE FULL, MY BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR THE TEACH NEVADA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES $30 MILLION DOLLARS IN STIPENDS AND TUITION FOR STUDENT TEACHERS.

COME ON.

[ APPLAUSE ] THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

CHILDREN WHO DO NOT LEARN TO READ PROFICIENTLY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAVE A LOWER CHANCE OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, AND A MUCH HIGHER CHANCE OF FACING DIFFICULT LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES AND CREATING A COST BURDEN TO THE STATE.

GOVERNOR SANDOVAL CHAMPIONED WHERE ARE YOU?

WHERE IS GOVERNOR SANDOVAL?

THERE HE IS.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] GOVERNOR SAND VAL CHAMPIONED NEVADA'S READ BY THREE LAW IN 2015.

THAT LAW WAS AMENDED IN 2019 AND REMOVED A REQUIREMENT THAT STUDENTS FAILING TO MEET PROFICIENCY STANDARDS IN THIRD GRADE, BE HELD BACK UNTIL THOSE STANDARDS ARE MET.

WE NEED TO REINSTATE ADEQUATE ACCOUNTABILITY.

[ APPLAUSE ] THEREFORE, I WILL BE IMPOSING A NEW FIVE-YEAR RULE: SCHOOLS HAVE FIVE YEARS TO IMPROVE LITERACY SCORES AND TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN READING DO NOT ADVANCE BEYOND THIRD GRADE, UNTIL THEY ARE BROUGHT UP TO GRADE LEVEL.

[ APPLAUSE ] THERE IS A SECOND ISSUE AFFECTING OUR STUDENTS' LITERACY SCORES.

FAR TOO MANY STUDENTS ARE ALREADY BEHIND BEFORE THEY EVER ATTEND THEIR FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.

MY BUDGET APPROPRIATES $60 MILLION DOLLARS TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND PREK OPPORTUNITIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL BE CHARGED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE CORE PREK PROGRAMS, MEASURING RESULTS, AND PROVIDING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO ENSURE MORE STUDENTS ARE READY FOR SCHOOL, WHEN THEY GET TO SCHOOL.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN 2019, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AB 168, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE PUBLIC-SCHOOL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE LAW.

WHILE WELL INTENDED, THIS LAW HAS LED TO INSTANCES OF DISRUPTIVE AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

IT HANDCUFFS SCHOOLTEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, LEAVING THEM POWERLESS TO ADDRESS HABITUALLY MISBEHAVING AND ALL TOO OFTEN VIOLENT STUDENTS.

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON SEVERAL LEVELS, MOST NOTABLY CREATING AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

TO BE CLEAR, EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY IN SCHOOL.

BUT, THERE ARE OBJECTIVE LIMITS AND THERE SHOULD BE NO ISSUE WITH THE TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF A DISRUPTIVE STUDENT RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE MEETING WITH PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IF CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS CONTINUE, THE STUDENT WILL BE EXPELLED.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE HAVE TWO NEVADA EDUCATORS FROM LAS VEGAS AND SPARKS AMONG US, WHO BOTH RECENTLY EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL ASSAULT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

THEY ARE HERE TONIGHT IN AN ACT OF ADVOCACY FOR THEIR FELLOW EDUCATORS AND TO HELP EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR NEW SAFETY AND SECURITY PROTECTIONS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] THESE TEACHERS, AND OTHER TEACHERS JUST LIKE THEM, DESERVE OUR TRUST AND ADMIRATION.

TO THOSE OF US IN THIS ROOM AND TO THOSE LISTENING AND WATCHING, LET'S SHOW THESE TEACHERS HOW MUCH WE RESPECT AND SUPPORT WE HAVE FOR THEM.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE EXAMPLES OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE.

WE'VE SEEN ENOUGH.

IT'S TIME TO ACT AND REPEAL THE MOST ONEROUS SECTIONS OF THIS LAW AND IN THEIR PLACE CREATE A STRUCTURE THAT WORKS FOR EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS.

SKIP HIGHER EDUCATION PLAYS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR STATE.

AMONG THE STIFFEST BARRIERS TO ATTRACTING NEW BUSINESSES AND RETAINING EXISTING BUSINESSES IS HAVING A WORKFORCE THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF BUSINESS.

TO OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE, MY BUDGET RESTORES NSHE'S OPERATING BUDGET TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS AND SETS ASIDE $5 MILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR A STUDY OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA.

[ APPLAUSE ] YOU PROBABLY WON'T SMILE AFTER THIS.

[ LAUGHTER ] PART OF THE FUNDING STUDY WILL REQUIRE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THEIR SELF-SUPPORTED BUDGETS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A DECADE SINCE THIS FORMULA WAS UPDATED, AND IT'S TIME FOR A NEW FORMULA TO REFLECT THE CURRENT STATE, OF OUR SYSTEM.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE WILL ALSO: INCREASE FUNDING FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION, TO BETTER RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING; INVEST $75 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE LONG-TERM STABILITY OF THE STATE'S MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; [ APPLAUSE ] INVEST $65 MILLION DOLLARS IN DEFERRED MAINTENANCE FOR AGING BUILDINGS; PUT $20 MILLION DOLLARS MORE IN GRADUATE STUDENT STIPENDS AND TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT OUR SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS; [ APPLAUSE ] NOBODY CLAPPED FOR FIXING THE BUILDINGS?

[ LAUGHTER ] IT'S NOT SEXY, RIGHT?

[ LAUGHTER ] ADD $9 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD-UP THE FACULTY AT UNLV MEDICAL SCHOOL, SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE MORE MEDICAL STUDENTS.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND APPROPRIATE $6 MILLION DOLLARS TO CONTINUE STATE SUPPORT FOR PROMISE SCHOLARSHIPS, FOR NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ATTENDING OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

[ APPLAUSE ] THERE MAY ARE NO MORE DYSFUNCTIONAL PART OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAN IN THE SERVICE PROVIDED TO OUR WORKFORCE.

DELAYS, FRAUD, AND SYSTEM FAILURES HAVE BECOME COMMON PLACE.

TO FIX IT, I AM PROPOSING THAT WE CONSOLIDATE THESE SERVICES UNDER A SINGLE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE.

THE OFFICE WILL DEVELOP AND EXECUTE AN INTEGRATED PLAN AND WILL OVERSEE THE 17 REVENUE STREAMS SOURCED TO THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE FIVE STATE AGENCIES, THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ADMINISTERING OVER $200 MILLION WORKFORCE DOLLARS.

THEY ARE NOT ALIGNED, MUCH LESS COORDINATED.

RIGHT NOW, WE LARGELY IGNORE THE VITAL CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THESE MUST FUNCTION AS A SINGLE, INTEGRATED SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A STATE WORKFORCE PLAN THAT IGNORES THE DIVERSITY OF REGIONAL ECONOMIES.

WE HAVE DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS BETWEEN NONPROFITS AND STATE AGENCIES.

WE DON'T MAKE IT EASY TO ACCESS PROGRAMS TO HELP WOULD-BE WORKERS WITH TRANSPORTATION OR CHILDCARE BECAUSE THAT'S IN A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE WASTING MONEY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE WASTING TIME IN GETTING ALL NEVADANS THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THEY DESERVE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE CAN BE THE SOLUTION TO THIS DYSFUNCTION.

AS A LIFETIME CRIME FIGHTER, I CAN SAY THERE IS ARGUABLY NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT TO THE 3.2 MILLION NEVADANS IN OUR STATE THAN PUBLIC SAFETY.

[ APPLAUSE ] AB 236 FROM THE 2019 LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED SWEEPING REFORMS OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AT THE TIME, SOME CHANGES I AGREED WITH AND SOME I DIDN'T BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE, I DID NOT OPPOSE THE BILL.

THREE YEARS HAVE GONE BY, AND WE CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT SOME OF THOSE CHANGES DIDN'T PRODUCE THE OUTCOMES SOME WERE PREDICTING.

IN FACT, THEY MADE THINGS WORSE.

TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEM AREAS, I WILL BE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION THAT MAKES IT HARDER -NOT EASIER - TO COMMIT A CRIME IN THE STATE OF NEVADA.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY BILL WILL INCLUDE: HOLDING CAREER CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE BY STRENGTHENING THE HABITUAL ENHANCEMENT FOR THOSE OFFENDERS WHO REPEATEDLY VICTIMIZE THE COMMUNITY; STRENGTHENING THE DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC BATTERY BY STRANGULATION.

PROTECTING BUSINESSES BY LOWERING THE FELONY THEFT THRESHOLD; EMPOWERING JUDGES AND PROBATION OFFICERS TO IMPOSE TOUGHER SANCTIONS FOR PAROLE VIOLATIONS; [ APPLAUSE ] DISALLOWING DIVERSION FOR CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY; [ APPLAUSE ] STRENGTHENING DRUG LAWS BY REDUCING WEIGHTS FOR POSSESSION AND TRAFFICKING, WHILE INCREASING PENALTIES; [ APPLAUSE ] FIGHTING THE FENTANYL EPIDEMIC.

[ APPLAUSE ] FENTANYL POSSESSION IN ANY AMOUNT SHOULD BE A CATEGORY B FELONY; [ APPLAUSE ] ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEM AREAS WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ON REDUCING CRIME AND HELPS ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS.

MOSS APPLAUSE IF WE LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER, THERE ARE CLEAR DISPARITIES IN NEVADA'S PUBLIC SAFETY COMPENSATION STRUCTURES AND IT'S UNFAIR.

TO ADDRESS THIS, WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RETAIN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL.

THEREFORE, I'M PROPOSING A -- YOU CAN CLAP.

YOU CAN CLAP.

[ APPLAUSE ] THEREFORE, I'M PROPOSING TWO-GRADE INCREASE FOR ALL PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES ABOVE WHAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO HELP BRING THEM CLOSER TO PARITY WITH LOCAL AGENCIES [ APPLAUSE ] AND TO ENSURE WE ARE AGENCIES, AND TO ENSURE WE ARE NO LONGER THE TRAINING GROUND FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICE FORCES.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ALL KNOW TOO WELL THAT CRIME IS OFTEN THE RESULT OF POOR DECISIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.

INCARCERATION SHOULD BE THE LAST RESORT.

HOWEVER, JAILS AND PRISONS ARE ALL TOO OFTEN PLACES WHERE WE HOUSE THOSE WE HAVE FAILED TO EDUCATE, FAILED TO TREAT, OR OTHERWISE FAILED TO GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE SEEING THE EFFECT OF THIS ON OUR STREETS IN THE FORM OF INCREASED HOMELESSNESS; WE ARE SEEING IT IN OUR SCHOOLS, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO TREATMENT ARE ACTING OUT; AND WE ARE SEEING IT OUR ECONOMY, WHERE THE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS IS PARAMOUNT.

I WILL MAKE SURE GOVERNMENT DOES ITS PART BY INCREASING REIMBURSEMENT RATES IN AREAS OF ACUTE NEED, ESPECIALLY IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY BUDGET INCLUDES AN ENHANCEMENT IN MEDICAID, TO EXPAND COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS $17 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION WILL ADD UP TO SIX CLINICS ACROSS THE STATE IN UNDERSERVED AREAS INCLUDING NORTHERN AND RURAL NEVADA.

[ APPLAUSE ] ENSURING MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN NEED, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE NEED FOR FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS ALSO CRITICAL.

IT'S AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN NEGLECTED.

MY BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING TO CONVERT A PORTION OF THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS JAIL INTO A FORENSIC HOSPITAL, TO BUILD OUT A POD AT THE RAWSON-NEAL HOSPITAL FOR FORENSIC SERVICES, AND MONEY FOR A BRAND-NEW GROUND UP FORENSIC HOSPITAL IN SOUTHERN NEVADA.

[ APPLAUSE ] I LACK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH LEGISLATURE TO FUND THESE PROJECTS.

NICOLE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH CANDIDLY.

THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS ONE OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT IS NOT ONLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PROCESS ITSELF HAS INTEGRITY BUT ALSO THAT THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE PROCESS IS FREE AND FAIR.

[ APPLAUSE ] WITH THIS SAID, THERE ARE CERTAIN ELECTION REFORMS THAT ARE JUST COMMON SENSE.

MOST NOTABLY, ALL MAIL-IN BALLOTS SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY THE TIME POLLS CLOSE ON ELECTION DAY.

[ APPLAUSE ] AS OPPOSED TO 5:00 P.M. FOUR DAYS FOLLOWING AN ELECTION.

SIZCO GAVE ME A DIRTY LOOK.

THIS PUTS NEVADA BACK IN LINE WITH NATIONAL NORMS AND ENSURES OUR ELECTION REPORTING DOES NOT DRAG ON FOR DAYS WHEN THE BALANCE OF THE NATION HAS MOVED ON.

SECOND, NEVADA CREATED UNIVERSAL MAIL-IN BALLOTS AS A RESPONSE TO COVID.

WITH THE PANDEMIC BEHIND US, THIS EXPENSIVE PROCESS IS SIMPLY UNNECESSARY.

[ APPLAUSE ] ANYONE WHO WANTS OR NEEDS A MAIL-IN BALLOT SHOULD HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE ONE.

[ APPLAUSE ] HOWEVER, SENDING BALLOTS TO MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS IS INEFFICIENT AND UNNECESSARY.

NOT TO MENTION, IT'S ESTIMATED TO COST NEARLY $7 MILLION DOLLARS IN THIS BUDGET AND WILL INCREASE TO OVER $11 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUTURE BUDGETS.

THIRD, IT IS IMPORTANT TO VERIFY THE IDENTITY OF VOTERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] SIGNATURE VERIFICATION IS A TIME-INTENSIVE AND CUMBERSOME PROCESS.

WE REQUIRE PEOPLE TO HAVE A VALID FORM OF IDENTIFICATION TO GET ON A PLANE, TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE OR TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL OR CIGARETTES, BUT NOT TO CAST A VOTE IN AN ELECTION.

THAT IS ILLOGICAL.

[ APPLAUSE ] FOURTH, UNREGULATED BALLOT HARVESTING NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

TO BE CLEAR, HARVESTING BALLOTS WAS A FELONY PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, AND NOW, IT'S A COMMON CAMPAIGN PRACTICE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE VOTER OR AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER TO CAST THEIR VOTE IN AN ELECTION, THAT PERSON SHOULD BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED, AND HAVE SOME REASONABLE LIMITATIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED UPON THEM.

[ APPLAUSE ] FINALLY, NEVADA NEEDS TO END PARTISAN REDISTRICTING.

[ APPLAUSE ] NEVADA VOTERS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SELECT THEIR ELECTED LEADERS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT, NONPARTISAN COMMISSION THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETING LAW TO REDRAW DISTRICTS EVERY TEN YEARS.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT'S TIME WE DO THIS.

[ APPLAUSE ] MARK MY WORDS.

IF THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T MAKE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN THIS CRITICAL AREA, THESE REFORMS SHOULD BE PLACED BEFORE THE VOTERS DURING THE NEXT ELECTION.

[ APPLAUSE ] TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO OUR STATE EMPLOYEES, WE HAVE PRIDED OURSELVES ON HAVING A SMALL AND EFFICIENT STATE GOVERNMENT.

IN FACT, THE MOST RECENT US CENSUS OF GOVERNMENTS RANKS NEVADA SECOND TO LAST IN TERMS OF STATE EMPLOYEES PER 1,000 RESIDENTS.

NO, DON'T APPLAUD FOR A THAT.

THE SOLE PURPOSE OF STATE GOVERNMENT IS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA.

BUT, THIS CAN'T BE DONE EFFECTIVELY WHEN WE HAVE A STATE JOB VACANCY RATE ABOVE 20 PERCENT, A REMOTE AND DISCONNECTED WORKFORCE, AND OUTDATED COMPUTER SYSTEMS.

WHICH IS WHY ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID UPON TAKING MY OATH WAS TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING ALL STATE EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC OFFICE HOURS BY JULY 1.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE TRUTH IS WE ASK OUR STATE EMPLOYEES TO DO THEIR JOBS, BUT WE'RE NOT PAYING FAIR WAGES FOR A FAIR DAY'S WORK.

THEY DESERVE BETTER.

[ APPLAUSE ] MY BUDGET INCLUDES AN 8 PERCENT INCREASE FOR ALL STATE WORKERS NEXT YEAR AND AN ADDITIONAL 4 PERCENT INCREASE THE YEAR AFTER.

THE LAST TIME STATE EMPLOYEES RECEIVED EVEN A 5 PERCENT INCREASE WAS 1995.

AND THE LAST TIME THEY RECEIVED ANYTHING IN EXCESS OF 5 PERCENT WAS 1985.

THE INCREASES INCLUDED IN MY BUDGET, ARE A MAJOR FIRST STEP IN A SUSTAINABLE PATHWAY TO INCREASING STATE EMPLOYEE PAY TO WHERE IT DESERVES TO BE.

[ APPLAUSE ] MOREOVER, RETENTION OF OUR EXISTING EMPLOYEES IS ALSO CRITICAL.

AS SUCH, MY BUDGET INCLUDES $2,000 DOLLAR ANNUAL BONUSES, FOR EVERY EXECUTIVE BRANCH STATE EMPLOYEE, TO BE PAID QUARTERLY.

THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JULY 1, THOUGH.

I'VE INCLUDED MONEY TO PAY OUT THOSE $500-DOLLAR QUARTERLY BONUSES STARTING THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND I'M ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION AS ONE OF ITS FIRST BILLS, TO FUND THESE BONUSES, STARTING AT THE END OF MARCH.

[ APPLAUSE ] STATE EMPLOYEES ALSO DESERVE A SAFE AND PLEASANT WORKING ENVIRONMENT.

OF THE LAST THREE MAJOR STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED, ONE HAS BEEN TORN DOWN, THE OTHER IS GETTING THE ROOF REPLACED, AND THE GRANT SAWYER BUILDING NEEDS MAJOR REHABILITATION.

MY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND MONEY FOR, THREE NEW STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS SO OUR EMPLOYEES CAN PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR CONSTITUENTS IN A SAFE AND STABLE WORKSPACE.

[ APPLAUSE ] A TOP PRIORITY OF MY ADMINISTRATION WILL BE TO RESTORE NEVADA'S REPUTATION AS A PRO-BUSINESS, PRO-DEVELOPMENT STATE.

[ APPLAUSE ] I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE NEVADA SHOULD BE THE MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL-FRIENDLY STATE IN THE NATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE LOST GROUND IN THIS AREA AND IT'S OUR JOB TO INFORM THE WORLD NEVADA HAS RE-OPENED FOR BUSINESS.

[ APPLAUSE ] OUR BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH ARE PROVIDING, A PRO-BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR THE 350,000 BUSINESSES THAT CURRENTLY CALL NEVADA HOME AND OFFERING A PRO-DEVELOPMENT INVITATION FOR THE EXPANSION OF NEW BUSINESS.

AND INDUSTRY.

[ APPLAUSE ] WHETHER IT'S CLOSING THE LITHIUM LOOP, UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT IN LOGISTICS, ENTERTAINMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, OR EMBRACING ENTREPRENEURSHIP, THE MESSAGE IS, THAT NEVADA IS READY TO PARTNER.

[ APPLAUSE ] CASE IN POINT, I'M LOOKING FORWARD FORWARD TO JOINING ELON MUSK AND THE TEAM AT TESLA TOMORROW WHEN THEY UNVEIL PLANS TO BUILD A BRAND NEW $3.5 BILLION-DOLLAR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN NORTHERN NEVADA FOR THE COMPANY'S ALL-ELECTRIC SEMI-TRUCKS.

[ APPLAUSE ] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MATTERS.

I'M PROUD TO DECLARE THAT NEVADA IS BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

[ APPLAUSE ] WITH THAT SAID, PROCEEDS FROM OUR ECONOMIC INVESTMENTS MUST BE RESPONSIBLY REINVESTED, AND WE MUST ENSURE THEY ARE USED TO ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION, HOUSING, AND PUBLIC SAFETY DEMANDS CREATED BY OUR CONTINUED GROWTH.

TAX DOLLARS SHOULD RIGHTLY FOLLOW THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL BOUNDARIES.

I AM ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO WORK WITH ME TO ENSURE THAT AS EXPIRING TAX ABATEMENTS BECOME NEW TAX DOLLARS, THOSE INCREMENTAL FUNDS ARE DIRECTED TO THE COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED BY OUR STATE'S GROWTH.

[ APPLAUSE ] FINALLY, WE ALL KNOW SOUTHERN NEVADA HAS LONG BEEN THE ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND HAS BECOME A MECCA FOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS.

THIS NOVEMBER, WE WELCOME YET ANOTHER SPECTACULAR INTERNATIONAL EVENT FROM FORMULA ONE RACING, THE INAUGURAL LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX.

[ APPLAUSE ] PLEASE MAKE WELCOME STEFANO DOMENICALI, THE CEO OF FORMULA [ APPLAUSE ] ONE, WHO TRAVELED FROM ITALY TO TO BE WITH US TONIGHT.

AND [ APPLAUSE ] LOOKING TO SEE IF HE WILL LET ME DRIVE ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND RENEE WILM, THE CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU WITH US IN CARSON CITY AND TO HAVE THE RACE OF RACES TAKE PLACE IN LAS VEGAS.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] SPEAKING OF HOSPITALITY AND GAMING, CONCERNS HAVE SURFACED RELATED TO A LACK OF BALANCE BETWEEN THE “GOLD STANDARD” OF OUR GAMING REGULATIONS AND THE TIME REQUIRED TO GAIN APPROVAL FROM THE GAMING CONTROL BOARD LAB, FOR NEW PRODUCT.

THE RESULT IS THAT NEW PRODUCTS ARE LIKELY BEING INTRODUCED WITH MORE SPEED OUTSIDE OF NEVADA WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE COMPETITIVE POSITION OF NEVADA'S GAMING OPERATORS.

WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE CONTROL BOARD TO ENSURE THE LOGJAM IS CLEARED.

ANOTHER ISSUE OF CONCERN TO OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IS SB4, FROM THE 2020 SPECIAL SESSION.

THAT LAW IMPOSED MANDATORY COVID DAILY CLEANING AND TIME OFF REQUIREMENTS, IN OUR HOTELS THAT ARE NO LONGER RELEVANT.

PERSONAL TIME OFF AND DAILY CLEANING REQUIREMENTS ADD TO THE LABOR SHORTAGE AND EXCEED CURRENT CDC GUIDANCE.

CLEARLY MUCH MORE IS KNOWN TODAY ABOUT TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS THAN WHAT EXISTED WHEN THIS LEGISLATION WAS PASSED IN 2020.

YET, OUR HOTEL OPERATORS' HANDS ARE TIED BY THIS BURDENSOME LEGACY LAW, AND IT SHOULD BE REPEALED.

[ APPLAUSE ] LET'S MAKE IT ONE OF THE FIRST BI-PARTISAN THINGS WE GET DONE THIS SESSION.

.

[ APPLAUSE ] ONE MORE ISSUE FROM LAST SESSION THAT WARRANTS STRAIGHT TALK.

THE PUBLIC OPTION WAS PASSED IN 2021 BUT WON'T BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL 2026.

I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, PASSING LAWS THAT DON'T HAVE ANY PRACTICAL EFFECT, IS POLITICAL THEATER.

SERIOUS QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE RUSHED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC OPTION, AGENCY AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTE, AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

GETTING NEVADANS INSURED IS THE GOAL.

AT A MINIMUM THIS LAW NEEDS TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED, OR BETTER YET REPEALED, SO WE CAN RE-FOCUS ON THE REAL PROBLEM WHICH IS GETTING ELIGIBLE BUT UNINSURED NEVADANS THE COVERAGE THEY NEED.

[ APPLAUSE ] I CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO ANOTHER AREA OF CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY: ENERGY.

CALIFORNIA DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH ELECTRIC GENERATION WITHIN ITS OWN STATE TO MEET ITS ELECTRICITY NEEDS - AND IS NOW RELYING ON THE BROADER WESTERN ELECTRIC MARKET TO IMPORT ENERGY.

WITH CALIFORNIA RETIRING ITS UNITS AND CHANGING ITS TRANSMISSION RULES, WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REDUCE OUR RELIANCE ON THE MARKET AND SEEK ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL NEVADANS.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO ADDRESS THIS, I WILL ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ALLOWS ELECTRIC PROVIDERS, TO DEVELOP DEDICATED IN-STATE GENERATION RESOURCES, TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE NO LONGER FORCED TO RELY ON THE BROADER ELECTRIC MARKET.

[ APPLAUSE ] OUR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE WILL SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LEAD TO JOB CREATION, AND DRIVE LOWER-COST ENERGY FOR ALL NEVADANS.

[ APPLAUSE ] OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE OVER THE NEXT DECADE MAY VERY WELL BE WATER.

DEALING WITH IT WILL REQUIRE BOTH PARTISANSHIP AND LEADERSHIP.

DID I SAY PARTISANSHIP?

SORRY.

PARTNERSHIP.

[ APPLAUSE ] THERE YOU GO.

THE COLORADO RIVER IS IN THE MIDST A 22-YEAR DROUGHT AND LAKE MEAD IS AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE 1937.

SOUTHERN NEVADA'S UNIQUE ABILITY TO CAPTURE, TREAT AND RETURN WATER TO THE COLORADO RIVER IS A CLEAR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, BUT OUR FUTURE IS DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO CONSERVE AND PRIORITIZE OUR USE OF WATER.

IT IS ALSO DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO WORK WITH THE SEVEN BASIN STATES AND MEXICO TO DEAL WITH SHORT AND LONG-TERM WATER RESOURCE SOLUTIONS.

NEVADA MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND DEMONSTRATE OUR FIRM RESOLVE TO ACHIEVE A NEW BALANCE ON THE RIVER.

GOING FORWARD, I WILL BE MORE INVOLVED ALONG WITH NEVADA'S BEST WATER EXPERTS, IN FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHER STATES, PURVEYORS, AND USERS TO BRING ABOUT NECESSARY CHANGE.

[ APPLAUSE ] AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST APPLY THE SAME DILIGENCE AND RESOLVE TO PROTECTING LAKE TAHOE, SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF NEVADANS CAN ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS WE HAVE.

[ APPLAUSE ] THERE ARE NO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE COMPLICATED WATER CHALLENGES, BUT WE MUST BE ASSURED THAT OUR NEIGHBORS SHARE THE SAME COMMITMENT THAT WE ASK OF OURSELVES.

[ APPLAUSE ] ANOTHER ISSUE THAT REQUIRES ACTION IS THE TIMELY RELEASE OF PUBLIC LANDS.

CURRENTLY, BLM MANAGEMENT HAS JURISDICTION OF OVER 48 MILLION ACRES IN NEVADA.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US, IN COORDINATION WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, PROMOTE A MORE PREDICTABLE APPROACH TO THE TIMELY RELEASE OF FEDERAL LANDS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE DISPOSITION OF FEDERALLY MANAGED LANDS WITHIN, AND ADJACENT TO, CITY AND COUNTY BOUNDARIES IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING [ APPLAUSE ] IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE SOUL OF NEVADA CAN BE FOUND IN THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT MAKE UP OUR RURAL COUNTIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] I'M LOOKING AT YOU.

STAYING CONNECTED TO TOWNS LIKE CARLIN AND CALIENTE, GABBS AND GERLACH, AND WELLS AND WADSWORTH IS A TOP PRIORITY OF MY ADMINISTRATION.

TO MAKE THIS A REALITY, I AM VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TONIGHT THAT WE WILL BE MAKING A $400 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND TO ACCELERATE STATEWIDE CONNECTIVITY.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN ADDITION, IT'S CRITICAL THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT RURAL AFFAIRS, AS WELL AS WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND LAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES.

TO HELP WITH THIS, I HAVE DESIGNATED A STAFF PERSON IN MY OFFICE, TIM ROBB, TO WORK WITH YOU CAN CLAP FOR TIM.

[ APPLAUSE ] IS TIM HERE?

THERE THERE HE IS.

UP THERE.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO WORK WITH DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIRECTOR JJ GOICOECHEA AND [ APPLAUSE ] DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIRECTOR JAMES [ APPLAUSE ] SETTELMEYER TO COORDINATE WITH NEVADA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES, SO THAT RURAL NEEDS IN NEVADA ARE NOT OVERLOOKED.

[ APPLAUSE ] UNDERSTANDING RURAL NEVADA GOES HAND IN HAND WITH UNDERSTANDING NEVADA'S MINING INDUSTRY.

FOR MOST OF THE LAST CENTURY, THE MINING INDUSTRY HAS ENJOYED A PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH MOST OF NEVADA'S STATE AGENCIES.

RECENTLY, THERE IS A SENSE THE RELATIONSHIP HAS MIGRATED AWAY FROM THAT.

MY OFFICE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE FIVE KEY STATE AGENCIES WITH JURISDICTION OVER MINING ISSUES ARE WORKING IN COOPERATION WITH THE INDUSTRY.

THIS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY.

[ APPLAUSE ] ALL OF US WERE SENT TO CARSON CITY TO CARRY OUT THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

IT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR OATH.

IT REMAINS OUR DUTY TO KEEP.

THE BUDGET PRIORITIES I'VE LAID OUT BEFORE YOU TONIGHT ARE PREDICATED UPON A COMBINATION OF COMMON SENSE, FISCAL DISCIPLINE, AND HIGH-LEVEL ENGAGEMENT.

IN SUMMARY, MY BUDGET: *DOESN'T RAISE ONE DIME OF NEW TAXES, IN FACT, WE CUT TAXES FOR HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES [ APPLAUSE ] *PAYS DOWN DEBT *SAVES $1 FOR EVERY NEW DOLLAR YEAH, YOU CAN CLAP.

SAYS $1 FOR EVERY NEW DOLLAR SPENT IN THE GENERAL FUND [ APPLAUSE ] *INVESTS MILLIONS IN THE NEVADA WAY ACCOUNT [ APPLAUSE ] *PAYS STATE EMPLOYEES A FAIRER WAGE [ APPLAUSE ] *OFFERS MORE SCHOOL CHOICE [ APPLAUSE ] *GIVES MORE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS WITH STRICTER ACCOUNTABILITY [ APPLAUSE ] *PROVIDES FOR SAFER SCHOOLS [ APPLAUSE ] *DIRECTS MORE FUNDING TO HIGHER ED AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT [ APPLAUSE ] *RE-ENERGIZES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT [ APPLAUSE ] *RETURNS TO SENSIBLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM [ APPLAUSE ] *BUILDS MORE CAPACITY IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES [ APPLAUSE ] *AND RESTORES FAITH IN NEVADA ELECTIONS [ APPLAUSE ] THESE VARIOUS PROGRAMS ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS I HEARD FROM COUNTLESS NEVADANS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THE URGENCY IN THEIR VOICES WAS UNFORGETTABLE TO ME.

I PROMISED THEM, THEIR CONCERNS WOULD NOT BE LOST WHEN I GOT TO CARSON CITY.

I KNOW WE WON'T LET THEM DOWN.

[ APPLAUSE ] PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER SAID, “THE SUPREME QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP IS INTEGRITY.

” ABOVE ALL ELSE, MY ADMINISTRATION WILL GOVERN WITH TRANSPARENCY, CANDOR, AND INTEGRITY.

THAT IS MY SOLEMN COMMITMENT TO YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, I BELIEVE THE BEST OF OUR HISTORY LIES BEFORE US.

OUR CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE GREAT DEEDS WILL NEVER BE IN QUESTION.

BECAUSE WE WILL FOLLOW THE NEVADA WAY - NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN, AND NEVER STOP DREAMING.

[ APPLAUSE ] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'VE LEARNED OVER MY LIFETIME THAT THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR DISCIPLINED HARD WORK.

THERE JUST ISN'T.

I DO NOT FEAR WHAT LIES AHEAD.

INSTEAD, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE WITH GREAT HOPE AND ANTICIPATION.

I TRUST THAT, YOU DO, AS WELL.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN CLOSING, AS I THINK OF MY 1-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON TEDDY AND THE THOUSANDS OF NEW YOUNG NEVADANS HIS AGE IN OUR STATE, I RECALL THE SIMPLE BUT MEANINGFUL WORDS THAT UNDERSCORE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TASK THAT LIES BEFORE US: LET'S PLANT THE TREES THAT SOME OF US MAY NEVER SEE.

[ APPLAUSE ] GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

GOD BLESS NEVADA.

AND GOD BLESS AMERICA [ APPLAUSE ] >> THAT WAS NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNOR JOSEPH LOMBARDO.

HIS FIRST OF STATE OF STATE ADDRESS FOR ANALYSIS WHAT WE JUST HEARD.

LET'S START WITH FELLOW REPUBLICAN WARREN HARDY.

WARREN, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHAT YOU JUST HEARD YOUR TAKE AWAY >> I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY GOOD SPEECH.

I THINK HE HIT HIGH POINTS OF THINGS HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS FIRST SESSION.

I WAS REALLY ENCOURAGED WITH WHAT HE HAD TO SAY REGARDING THE CHANGES ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND BRINGING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THAT AND FOCUS THAT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND REALLY ENCOURAGED WITH WHAT HIS PLANS FOR MENTION HEALTH.

THAT IS SUCH A CRITICAL THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M REALLY ENCOURAGED TO HEAR HIM GIVE SO MUCH EMPHASIS TO THAT.

>> WE WILL GET BACK TO THAT QUESTION.

WHAT STOOD OUT FOR YOU?

>> I DELIVERED BETTER THAN WHAT I WAS GOING TO TWO HE'S NOT THAT KIND OF ROLE IN PAST.

HE'S GETTING INTO THAT SIDE OF IT AND GOVERNING.

I HAVE SO TO SAY THE PRE-K FUNDING WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THAT'S A BIG WIN IN PLACE HE CAN BRING A COMPROMISE AND WORK WITH THE DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE AISLE.

YOU HAVE TO FIND THOSE LITTLE NUANCED PLACES.

FOR FORENSIC HOSPITAL WILL BE KEY.

WE NEED TO LOOK HOW WE GOVERN AND HOW WE POLICE.

I THINK THERE FEW THINGS.

I THINK THE STATE EMPLOYEE INCREASES ARE ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL.

LONG OVERDUE.

I WISH THERE WERE SOME THIS THERE FOR TEACHERS BUT THEIR WAS PROGRAMMING MONEY BUT THERE WAS ACKNOWLEDGMENT IN STATE EMPLOYEES AND FACT THAT THEY ARE SO SHORT STAFFED RIGHT NOW THAT, THE SALARY INCREASE IT WON'T GET THEM COMPETITIVE -- WE WON'T STOP LOSING THEM COMPLETELY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BUT IT CAN HELP WITH THAT FLOW.

>> DAVID ANYTHING YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO OR TAKE AWAY?

>> I THINK A LOT MORE FRIENDS -- I THINK YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE HE IS VERY MODERATE SPEECH >> YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK YOUR MIC MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF.

WE WILL HAVE TO GET THAT FIXED.

FOR NOW LET'S GO TO JESSICA AND WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU?

>> I THINK THAT IT WAS REALLY GOOD SPEECH.

I THINK HE DID FOLLOW ALONG WITH THINGS HE IS TALKING ABOUT THROUGHOUT HIS CAMPAIGN.

YOU SEE ALL OF THOSE PROMISES IN HIS SPEECH.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING LIKE DAVID DAMORE SAID HOW MUCH HE WILL BE ABLE TO GET DONE IN DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE SPECIFICALLY WITH SOME OF THOSE LITTLE EXTRA REFORMS SUCH A CHANGING MAIL-IN BALLOT DATES THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT COULD EVER GET DONE.

DAVID LET'S GO BACK TO YOU.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, IT'S A GOOD TO BE A NEW GOVERNMENT AND BIG BUDGET SURPLUS.

HE GETS TO GO IN THERE PLAY SANTA CLAUS A LITTLE BIT NOT HAVE TO BRING CUTS INSPECT I THINK THE SPEECH WAS VERY MODERATE REALIZING SORT OF CONTEXT HE'S IN FINDING THOSE AREAS HE CAN COMPROMISE BUT TRYING TO THROW RED MEAT TO CONSERVATIVES ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

CHRIS AND WARREN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET HE DOES PROPOSE SEVERAL CUTS, TAX CUTS.

BUT 37 LOT OF SPENDING IN THERE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN YOUR HEAD DOES IT ALL ADD UP?

DOES IT MAKE SENSE?

>> I WAS TRYING TO ADD UP IN MY HEAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT ACTUALLY LANDS.

I WAS ALWAYS FRUSTRATED WHEN WE STARTED THE RAINY DAY FUND IT WAS ACTUALLY WHEN WARREN AND I SERVED I WANT A SAVING ACCOUNT BUT NOT AN OVERLY PROSPEROUS SAVING ACCOUNT ESPECIALLY WHEN THEREFORE TO MANY NEEDS WITHIN STATE IAN HE CAN'T ADDRESS IN LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN.

SO I THINK $630 MILLION IN INCREASING THAT BY 10 PERCENT IS HUGE LEAP.

REFUNDING IT, YEAH.

OKAY.

THAT WAS NECESSARY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU WANT THAT BALANCE.

BUT YOU KNOW, SCHOOLS, THEY DID PUT HE RECOMMENDED SOME MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S ENOUGH.

TEACHER SALARIES ARE NOT COMPETITIVE.

SO THERE WAS NO ADDRESSING THAT PART OF IT.

I THINK THE MENTAL HEALTH PIECE, I APPLAUD AND I AGREE WITH WARREN ON THAT.

I THINK REFOCUSING JUST OUR STUDENTS BUT ALSO OUR COMMUNITIES IS A TRYING TIME AND RECOGNIZING THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND YOU HAVE TO DO THAT BOTH WITH STAFFING, PSYCHIATRISTS AND BRINGING IN SOCIAL WORKERS AND AWFUL THOSE PIECES THAT MAKE IT WORK IN LONG RUN.

I THINK HE PUT FEW BUZZ WORDS AND PROBABLY RED MEAT FOR THOSE.

I DON'T SEE VOUCHER GOING ANYWHERE.

IF YOU DON'T FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADEQUATELY YOU'RE THROWING MONEY AWAY AND GIVE IT TO OPPORTUNITY GRANTS.

I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

>> LET'S GET MORE INTO SCHOOL CHOICE.

BUT BEFORE THAT, IF SHE CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF THE BUDGET, CAN YOU?

>> NO.

CHRIS WAS A GOOD A BUDGET AS ANYBODY MAYBE BOB.

AND I THINK THAT THE RAINY DAY FUND WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE THREE THINGS CHRIS AND I AGREED ON IN OUR 20 YEARS OF SERVING TOGETHER.

HERE'S THE ENCOURAGING THING TO ME ABOUT BUDGET.

WE WILL HAVE TO DIG INTO THIS AND FIGURE OUT HOW HE DID ALL OF THAT.

I THINK WE GOT SOME INDICATION WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT THE GAS TAX AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO USE A PORTION OF SURPLUS TO SUPPLANT THAT MONEY TO GIVE TAX BREAKS TO THE NEVADANS RIGHT NOW ENCOURAGING TO ME IS THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT BUDGET THAT ACCORDING TO HIS SPEECH TONIGHT, THAT WILL CREATE ONGOING EXPENSES.

IT WILL BE ALL SORT OF ONE SHOT MONEY.

I HOPE THERE'S A LOT IN THE BUDGET THAT WILL GIVE TAX RELIEF TO NEVADANS WITH USING SURPLUS.

BECAUSE THAT'S AN EFFECTIVE THING TO DO.

I REMEMBER IN YEARS WE DID MONEY FROM DMV WE SENT BACK.

THAT WAS JUST A HUGE REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.

I WAS IN LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME AND I DIDN'T LIKE THAT.

THIS APPROACH IS BETTER I THINK.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE DETAILS OF IT.

BUT MY, MY SENSE IS WITH BEN KIECKHEFER THERE I MENTIONED BOB.

MAYBE NOBODY KNOW STATE BUDGET BETTER THAN BEN KIECKHEFER EITHER.

IT WILL WORK.

I HAVE HIGH LEVEL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT WITH BEN THERE TO HELP NAVIGATE THE PROCESS IT WILL WORK.

>> WHAT MAY NOT WORK IS SCHOOL CHOICE.

I HEARD WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID POLITICS SHOULD NOT PART OF EDUCATION I HEARD YOU SCOFF A LITTLE BIT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

>> I MEAN OBVIOUSLY HE CAMPAIGNED ON THAT AND AN ISSUE CONSERVATIVE HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR AROUND WHILE.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WILL HAVE TO GIVE YOU TO GET THAT.

I THINK THAT WILL BE INTERESTING THING WHEN WE GET DOWN TO LAST DAY OF JUNE AND NEGOTIATIONS ARE HAPPENING.

SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW MUCH IF THAT IF HE CAN >> WHAT DO YOU THINK JESSICA?

>> LIKE I SAID I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HE WILL DO IF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BUDGET.

IF HE COULD YOU KNOW SUSPEND GETTING BUDGET FILLED OUT JUST IN ORDER TO THE SCHOOL CHOICE DONE.

IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE.

SOME OF THOSE THINGS I DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL BE ABLE TO GET DONE.

>> YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

THERE ARE WAYS TO DO SCHOOL CHOICE WITHOUT FUNDING CHANGES?

YES YOU BE DO OPEN ZONING A VARIETY DIFFERENT STRUCTURES YOU CAN CHANGE.

LET PARENTS AND STUDENTS PICK SCHOOLS BASED ON THEIR INTEREST.

BUT YOU HAVE TO GET SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PUT BACK IN I THINK CAREER READY MIDDLE SCHOOL.

YOU NEED DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS WE GOT RID OF AND THEN PARENTS SAY I WANT MY KID TO GO OVER ELECTRIC THERE.

THEY ARE TEACHING X INSTEAD OF JUST ONLY FOUR MAGNET SCHOOLS OR ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE CAN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES.

SPREAD THAT OPPORTUNITY AROUND.

SO THERE'S WAYS TO RESTRUCTURE PUBLIC EDUCATION TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SCHOOL CHOICE IT'S A REALITY WITHOUT TAKING PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS TO GIVE AWAY TO PRIVATE OR PAROCHIAL OR CHARTER OR ANYTHING ELSE.

>> BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU SEE CHARTERS FASTING GROWING PART OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SECOND BIGGEST DISTRICT IN STATE HERE.

YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE MOVE AND MAKE THE CHOICE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS >> THERE HAD BEEN DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND EDUCATION.

YOU MENTIONED WHILE WE WERE LISTENING TO SPEECH IT WAS NOT ADDRESSED, WARREN.

DO YOU THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE?

>> WELL I THINK IT'S A BIG BITE OF THE APPLE.

I WAS ENCOURAGED 5 MILLION TO LOOK AT HIGHER ED THE LONG OVERDUE AN ISSUE I RECOGNIZED WHEN I WAS THERE 20 YEARS AGO.

BUT $5 MILLION I THINK WE CAN FUND MORE OF GLOBAL REVENUE STUDY IN STATE OF NEVADA THE NOT JUST STUDY BUT A PLAN.

WHEN CHRIS AND I WERE THERE THEY HAD THE PRICEWATERHOUSE STUDY IN 1989.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT TAX STRUCTURE IN NEVADA SINCE THEN.

WE NIBBLE AROUND EDGES.

I CALL IT TAX BY AD HOC.

WHO ARE WE GOING TO TAX THIS SESSION AND NEXT SESSION.

OUR TAX POLICIES IS JUST BROKEN IN NEVADA.

NOT REALLY LEGISLATURE'S PART WE PUT LOT TAX POLICY IN THE CONSTITUTION WHICH IS NO WAY TO GOVERN.

BUT WHEN WOO NEED TO TAKE STEP BACK, TAKE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK TO SEE IF OUR REVENUE STRUCTURE OR OUR TAX STRUCTURE AND REVENUE STRUCTURE MATCHES OUR ECONOMY.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF US KNOW THAT.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

I WAS THERE.

CHRIS WAS THERE WHEN WE DID THE PROPERTY TAX CAP THERE WERE THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED THAT NEVER EVEN CAME UP.

WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE CONNECTION.

TIME FOR NEVADA TO STEP BACK, SPEND THE MONEY AND $5 MILLION WILL DO IT.

TO DO A COMPREHENSIVE, NO THE JUST STUDY, BUT PLAN FOR HOW OUR REVENUE STRUCTURE WORKS IN NEVADA.

AND IT'S GOING TO T. MIGHT BE HARD BUT IT MIGHT BE POLITICALLY DIFFICULT BUT I THINK YOU CAN START BY DOING IT IN TAX REVENUE NEUTRAL WAY.

I'M SUSPECT OF ANY TAX PROPOSAL OR ANYTHING WE DO UNTIL WE'VE GOT THAT KIND OF COMPREHENSIVE STUDY IN OUR POCKET.

>> ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> I WOULD AGREE.

YOU NEED TO PLAN TO LOOK BACK PEW PRICEWATERHOUSE.

WE STILL HAVE OUR COPIES AROUND.

WHAT IT DID IS REALLY ANALYZED WHAT DOES SALES TAX DO.

WHO DO YOU REALLY HIT WITH SALES TAX.

PROPERTY TAXES IT IS NOT ADEQUATE AND CAST DEFEATS THE WHOLE PURPOSE 2347 THAT WAS KNEE JERK REACTION TO PROP 13 THAT WAS COMING INTO NEVADA.

THAT'S REALLY HOW THAT ALL CAME ABOUT.

NOW YOU'VE DISPARATE IN YOUR PROPERTY TAX VERSUS IF YOU'RE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

ONE YOUR NEIGHBOR GROWING LESS YOU'RE GROW THING MORE DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT THAT WOULD BE A WORTH WHILE TAX FORCE TO TAKE ON CAROL'S NOTES ARE STILL SOMEPLACE OR SHE WILL CHANNEL IT.

WE TRIED TO CHANGE IT FROM DEPARTMENT OF TAXES TO DEPARTMENT OF REF KNEW.

WE WAND PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND REVENUE MEANS RECEIPTS.

IT'S WHAT YOU COLLECT AND WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT WHEN YOU'RE GOVERNING.

A BETTER WAY TO TRACK WHERE SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS GO.

>> THE CHALLENGE IN NEVADA YOU HAVE CAN'T LOOK AT ANY INSTRUCTIVE WAY AT ANY OTHER STATE.

YOU LOOK BACK AT THE TAX SHIFT.

SOME PEOPLE CALLED IT TAX SHAFT.

RIGHT ON CUE.

IN 1981 WHERE WE, IT MADE PERFECT SENSE IN OUR ECONOMY TO THINK ABOUT MOVING AWAY FROM A PROPERTY TAX STRUCTURE TO SALES TAX STRUCTURE.

IT HASN'T WORKED.

AND SO AND THAT WAS DONE IN A VACUUM.

WE MAKE ALL OF THESE DECISIONS IN VACUUM.

EVERY TAX POLICY I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH AND LIKE MOST REPUBLICAN I SAY SUPPORTED MOST OF THE TAX INCREASE SOME LEVEL IN MY TIME IN SENATE BECAUSE I SAW THE NEED FOR SERVICES.

BUT THEY ARE NOT INFORMED BY A BASE STUDY ABOUT WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT NEVADA.

WE ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

YOU CAN'T PUT US INTO SAME BOX OR LOOK AT OTHER STATES IN AN INSTRUCTIVE WAY.

WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> SAME WITH EDUCATION, JESSICA YOU WERE INTERESTED IN LEARNING WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

HOW CHILDREN WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE PUNISHED AND WHAT CHANGES THAT WERE MADE EFFECTIVE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HIS PROPOSALS IN SCALING THAT BACK?

>> WE SAW THERE'S LOT IN CAMPAIGN.

BIG TALK AMONG MANY REPUBLICANS.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

ALL VIOLENT STUDENTS ARE BEING LET OUT WHEN THEY SHOULD BE SUSPENDED.

HOWEVER I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S REALITY OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS.

USUALLY REFERRED TO NONVIOLENT MISDEMEANORS MAYBE A KID IS CAUGHT WITH MARIJUANA OR SOMETHING.

OR THERE'S A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO CHILDREN.

THEY KIND OF FIGURE OUT HOW TO TALK THE DIFFERENCES OUT RATHER THAN YOU KNOW BEING SUSPENDED.

SO I THINK THERE'S JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MISCOMMUNICATION WITH WHAT THE REALITY OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IS.

NICE THING TO TALK ABOUT YOU CAN POINT TO SOME VIOLENT INCIDENT INCIDENCES WITH STUDENTS, HARASSING TEACHER AND GETTING ARRESTED THOSE ARE ONE OFFS WITH THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS.

AS FORMER TEACHER CHRIS?

>> I WOULD SAY WITH 320,000 STUDENTS THEY ARE ONE OFFS.

YOU HAVE SOME BAD APPLE AND YOU'RE GOING TO BAD APPLES BUT PUTTING IN MEDIATION PROGRAM FOR EXAMPLE.

PUTTING IN BRING BACK SOME OF IN HOUSE SUSPENSIONS SO KIDS AREN'T DUMPED OUT IN STREET.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT CAN DONE PEOPLE ONE THAT WROTE THREE STRIKES YOU'RE OUT TRUANCY LEGISLATION BECAUSE TEACHERS WERE FRUSTRATED WITH HABITUAL OFFENDERS AND NO ONE WAS ADDRESSING TO GET THE ATTENTION IT REALLY IS MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT YOU'RE NOT FINDING SOCIAL WORKER STILL YOU.

UNLV GOT RID PROGRAM AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK FULL FLEDGED.

THEN WE WEREN'T PAYING THEM ENOUGH.

A PRINCIPAL WITH THEIR BUDGET OH, YOU GOT TO HIRE, THIS, AND THIS AND THIS AND MAINTENANCE.

THAT PERSON.

WE REALLY DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HOW A SCHOOL SHOULD WORK AND FUNCTION.

SO JUST MENTIONING MENTAL HEALTH MAKES ME HAPPY TO HEAR.

BECAUSE AT LEAST IT NOT BEING DISMISSED I THINK YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

SOME OF STUFF JUST PASSED.

YOU HAVE TO SEE HOW IMPLEMENTED.

IF YOU HAVE LEADERSHIP THAT DOESN'T WANT IT TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND DOESN'T WANT IT TO WORK I MEAN I STILL VOLUNTEER REGULARLY ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES.

AND SUPERINTENDENT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

WARREN ANY RESPONSE DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE INTO MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT?

>> I THINK IT ALL RELATED.

I THINK WE HAVE JUST COMPLETELY DROPPED THE BALL IN NEVADA.

I REMEMBER IN '91 WHEN WE HAD THE CRISIS AND HAD TO CUT MENTAL HEALTH.

WE NEVER FULLY RECOVERED >> WE NEVER RECOVERED.

>> AND RECESSION TOO.

SAME THING.

>> THAT SEEMS TO BE THE FIRST PLACE WE GO.

I WILL TELL YOU I'M MORE THAN JUST ENCOURAGED BECAUSE WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT IN HIS BUDGET, REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH IS SPOT ON TO THE PROBLEM.

I THINK IT IS INFORMED BY HIS TIME AS SHERIFF.

THAT IS THE FACILITY AT THE JAIL AND THE FACILITY AT THE NEAL FACILITY THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY TRIAGE THESE FOLKS.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW LAW ENFORCEMENT JUST TAKES THEM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND THAT'S NOT HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

SO IF WE'RE NOT EVEN IT I BELIEVE EFFECTIVELY TRIAGE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WE CAN'T EVEN START TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH.

SO I THINK WHAT GOVERNOR PROPOSED HERE NOT ONLY LIKE AM I THRILLED IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME TO SEE IT IN THERE BECAUSE OF TIME IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT I THINK IT'S SPOT ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> DAVID, WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK WILL BE BIPARTISAN THAT >> THE EDUCATION FUNDING.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO FUND EDUCATION.

I THINK THE HIGHER ED STUFF WITH CAVEAT MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WITH AUDITS.

I THINK THAT WILL BE A WELCOME NEWS.

WHAT YOU DIDN'T HEAR WHAT A MODERNIZATION STUFF HOW STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS.

I THINK YOU NEED TO GET THERE TO REALIZE HOW DYSFUNCTIONAL IT WAS.

THAT WAS AN AREA THAT SISOLAK WAS MOVING TO BUT DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

ALSO INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT POTENTIAL BREAK UP WITH CPSD.

THAT HAD BEEN SOMETHING HE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ON THE CAMPAIGN OBVIOUSLY MEASURE DIDN'T QUALIFY.

UNCLEAR IF HE WILL BRING A BILL BUT SOMETHING ELSE IN TERMS OF STRUCTURAL ISSUES AND GO INTO IT, GO INTO CCSD.

INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT >> FOR VIEWER WANTING TO KNOW WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT, WHAT MIGHT ACTUALLY HAPPEN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

WHO WILL GIVE AN ANSWER TO THAT?

>> JESSICA.

>> OH, SURE.

[ LAUGHTER ] THE 12 PERCENT INCREASE IN SALARY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES I CAN SEE THAT BEING A REAL POSSIBILITY OF GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> THAT ALSO CREATES LONG-TERM -- I THINK THERE A CONCERNS FROM A STATE, AND I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED.

ENROLLMENTS AREN'T A FUND.

WE FUND LOT OF THAT STUDENT ENROLLMENT DOWN ROAD IT SOUNDS GREAT SHORT-TERM WHAT DOES THAT MEAN LONG-TERM?

>> AS AWE MENTIONED THERE WERE NO RAISES SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED FOR TEACHERS.

WHEN HE CAMPAIGNED ON BEING NEVADA'S EDUCATION GOVERNOR.

>> YEAH I WAS SURPRISED.

I'M THRILLED ABOUT THE PRE-K FUNDING AND SOME OTHER COMPONENTS.

I WAS SURPRISED HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE NOT COMPETITIVE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND YOU GO TO MY OLD SCHOOL JIM BRIDGER I'M TOLD THEIR 25 I THINK SUBSTITUTE THINGS ON CAMPUS.

THEY ARE NOT COUNTING AND REPORTING THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE EVEN THOUGH A LAW WAS PASSED LAST SESSION TO DO SO.

AND THAT IS DESTABILIZING.

WARREN SUPPORTED ME WHEN I WROTE THE GET'S ONE FIFTH MORE RETIREMENT CREDIT YOU WORKED ON OUR MORE NEEDY SCHOOLS OUR LOW INCOME SCHOOLS AND SO FORTH.

ASK THAT KEPT TEACHERS IN PLAY ASK KEPT ATTRACTING THEM RATHER THAN FLEEING TO THE BURBS.

AS FAR AS THAT IS CONCERNED.

WE NEED TO LOOK STRUCTURES THERE.

SUPERINTENDENT IS GOOD.

JOAN HE BETTER WILL BE GOOD CHAMPION TAKING LOOK AT IT YOU NEED PEOPLE ON GROUND THAT UNDERSTAND HOW THINGS WORK ONCE YOU PASS A LAW.

AND NOT ONLY THE SALARIES DISHEARTENED TEACHERS ALREADY LEAVING IN DROVES, IT'S NOT GOING TO KEEP ANYBODY HERE EITHER.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE FRUSTRATED WITH SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT THAT GOING ON >> WARREN HE DID INCLUDE THERE ABOUT RETAINING OR BRINGING BACK RETIRED TEACHERS.

AL SCHOLARS SHIPS FOR STUDENTS THAT BECOME TEACHERS LOCALLY.

WHAT ELSE DID YOU THINK >> FIRST OF ALL I'M PRODUCT JIM BRIDGER HIGH SCHOOL, JR. HIGH SCHOOL.

SO I WAS THERE BEFORE YOU >> YEAH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH.

SO THAT'S AN EXCELLENT POINT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ENCOURAGING TO ME TONIGHT A LOT OF WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF ONGOING EXPENSES HITS DIRECTLY AT THINGS THAT ARE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE GONE UNADDRESSED FOR A LONG TIME.

COMPETITIVENESS OF THE TEACHERS.

THAT, THAT'S LOW HANGING FRUIT.

RIGHT?

ALLOW TEACHERS TO COME BACK AND TEACH WITHOUT PENALTY TO THE RETIREMENT.

THAT'S AN EASY THING T. TO DO.

LOW HANGING FRUIT.

I TALKED SINCE I ENTERED SENATE IN 2002, 2003 ABOUT THE NEED TO GET TEACHER STATE EMPLOYEE SALARIES UP PARTICULARLY WHEN IT RELATES TO THE HIGHWAY PATROL.

I WAS AN OPPONENT STEADFAST OPPONENT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

EVERY TIME I SPOKE AGAINST IT ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BAY CONVERSATION ABOUT BUT WE HAVE TO DO MORE IF WE'RE GOING TO RETAIN THEM.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH TONIGHT REALLY, REALLY TO ME SHOWS AN IN DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF CORE PROBLEMS IN NEVADA.

HE DIDN'T GET TO ALL OF THE ANSWERS.

HE IF GET TO BUT THING THAT IS ENCOURAGING TO ME IT DISPLAYS AN IN DEPTH UNDERSTAND WHICH I DIDN'T EXPECT FROM A SHERIFF BECOMING GOVERNOR.

IT REALLY IN MY OPINION DISPLAYED REAL UNDERSTANDING OF CORE PROBLEMS OF NEVADA.

WE WILL GET TO ALL OF THEM >> I THINK HE LISTENED.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

YOU WANT PEOPLE THAT CAN LISTEN.

YOU'RE RIGHT, THE STATE WE MOVE THEM CONSTANTLY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, TWO STEP IN THAT PART OF IT AT LEAST AS FAR AS THAT.

BUT I WAS MENTIONING EARLIER, WE STILL HAVE A PROHIBITION FOR PROBATIONARY PERIODS I'M TOLD.

AND STATE OF NEVADA IAN THOUGH YOU QUALIFIED THAT THE JOB YOU NEED PROBATION YOU GET TRANSFERRED OVER OR SOMEPLACE ELSE YOU HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

THAT'S BARRIER HOPEFULLY HIS STAFF AND LEGISLATORS WILL START LOOKING WHERE THERE ARE BARRIER TO SOME OF THESE APPROACHES.

YOU LOOK PUBLIC OPTION.

IT JUST GOT PASSED I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT WAS THROWN IN THERE.

IT DIDN'T QUITE MAKE SENSE.

IT HASN'T BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

IF YOU WANT TO BREAK SOMETHING FIGURE OUT WHERE THE PROBLEM, IF IT'S NOT BROKEN DON'T FIX IT.

SO THOSE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I THINK HE'S STILL GOING TO HAVE TO FLESH OUT HERE AT THE LEGISLATURE THE WILL HELP HIM WITH.

>> I HEARD HIM SAY THAT SAME THING IF NOT BROKEN DON'T FIX WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ELECTION REFORMS.

WHAT DUE THINK ABOUT WHAT HE HAD TO SAY JESSICA IN REGARDS TO THAT TOPIC?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS ALL PLAYS OUT OBVIOUSLY DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE WILL NOT BE KEEN ON LIMITING OR RESTRICTING ANY VOTING RIGHTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS HE MENTIONED YOU KNOW, MOVING MAIL-IN BALLOT DATE BACK, YOU KNOW, TO EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE MAILED IN BEFORE ELECTION DAY RATHER THAN ON ELECTION DAY WITHIN FOUR DAYS TO COUNT.

THAT IS SOMETHING STATE SENATOR TITUS IS ALSO PUSHING FOR AS WELL.

BUT LIKELIHOOD OF ANY OF THOSE PASSING IS NOT LIKELY AT ALL.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER YOU KNOW REAL REFORM THAT IS COULD BE DONE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN FROM HIM.

I KNOW THAT LOTS OF TRIBES IN NEVADA HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT WANTING TO USE TRIBAL ID FOR INSTANCE TO REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE.

THAT'S LIKE A ONE REAL REFORM THAT COULD DONE THAT WE HAVEN'T HEARD.

>> STUDENT ID WAFFLING IF THEY RECOGNIZE A STUDENT ID.

THAT WAS BARRIER LOT KIDS AREN'T GETTING THERE DRIVER'S LICENSE ANY MORE.

SO WHAT I D DO THEY USE?

LITTLE PIECES.

SO HE BROUGHT SOMETHING UP.

I THIS SEE YOU NOW.

I DON'T SEE MOST OF THAT PASSING.

BUT TRANSPARENCY WE NEED ELECTION REFORM CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ETHICAL REFORM.

THOSE ARE SOME PLACES I THINK WE CAN GET A BIPARTISAN BITE AT THE APPLE.

REALLY START GOING ON WHO REALLY PAYING WHO.

WHO FUNDING WHERE.

WHERE PAC MONEY REALLY COMING FROM.

HOUR LEGISLATORS ELECTIVES HIDING BEHIND CERTAIN SHIELDS OR NOT?

I THINK THERE'S SOME ROOM TO DO THE RIGHT THING RATHER THAN WHAT JUST NEEDED TO BE SAVE >> AND THEN WARREN.

THEN WE WILL GO BACK TO YOU.

>> I MEAN I THINK HIS IDEA A LOT OF PEOPLE WON'T BUY IT ONCE IT COMES TO BALLOT IT WON'T HAPPEN.

DEMOCRATS AREN'T GOING GIVE THAT UP >> HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS IT FOR THE AVERAGE VOTER?

>> NONE.

>> IT WORKED SMOOTHLY WHAT WAS BROKEN?

WARREN?

>> THE THING I TEND TO AGREE ON ELECTION REFORM STUFF.

I DO THINK THERE'S A POSSIBILITY ON .1 THAT YOU KNOW WE CAN THE DATE.

I THINK THAT WAS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT FOR US.

IT REALLY SHOULDN'T OUR ELECTION OFFICIALS DID AN AMAZING JOB.

THEY WERE, THEY WERE RESTRICTED BY THE RULES THEY HAD TO WORK WITH.

SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONVERSATION WITH.

BUT I WOULD SAY TO CHRIS'S .1 OF THE THINGS THAT BE WILLING TO A DIALOGUE.

SOME OF THINGS HE BROUGHT UP YOU BROUGHT OTHER THINGS THAT COULD DONE ON SECURING OR RETAINING EMPLOYEES.

IT'S GOING TO LEAD TO A DISCUSSION.

IF WE HAVE LEGISLATURE THAT IS WILLING TO COME UP WITH BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS, WE'RE GOING TO FIRST TIME IN LONG TIME HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS.

AND I, MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S FOLKS, THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH WHOEVER WORK WITH THEM.

MY CONVERSATION WITH THE SPEAKER AND MAJORITY LEADER SENATE SAME THING.

THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PLAYING POLITICS.

NOW WE'LL SEE HOW IT DEVELOPS.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T TAKE POLITICS OUT OF POLITICS.

BUT FOR FIRST TIME, I'VE INVOLVED IN EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN STATE IN ONE CAPACITY OR ANOTHER SINCE '91.

WHEN CHRIS I WERE THERE WE FOUGHT DURING THE ELECTION.

BUT WE PUT THOSE THINGS ASIDE.

AND WE FOUGHT DURING THE SESSION TOO.

BUT WE WERE ALWAYS LOOKING TOWARDS WHAT'S BEST FOR NEVADA.

IT SEEMS LATELY THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BECOME AN EXTENSION OF CAMPAIGN.

WHAT DO WE DO TO GET THIS PERSON.

WHAT CAN WE DO.

WE PUT THEM ON RECORD.

AND I'M ENCOURAGED THAT WE MAY BE IT I BELIEVE FINALLY MOVE ON, NO THE JUST WHAT I HEARD TONIGHT FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THAT'S MY CONVERSATION WITH DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AS WELL.

SO HAVING THE CONVERSATION IN A MEANINGFUL WAY, CHRIS AND I WERE ABLE TO FIND COMPROMISE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

SOMETIMES WE FOUGHT.

BUT IT IS ALL ABOUT THE DIALOGUE.

SO THOSE IDEAS THEY ARE NOT THINKING OF THEM.

AND THEY WILL BRING THOSE THINGS BACK.

YOU TALK ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

POLITICALLY, VERY DIFFICULT.

BUT AS DAVID SAYS THE SCHOOL BREAK UP.

I THINK THERE'S ROOM TO HAVE SOME DIALOGUE ABOUT THAT THIS SESSION.

THAT MAY BE WHY WE END UP ON THAT.

>> I DON'T WANT TO -- >> WHAT WAS IT THAT YOU DIDN'T GET TO?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT I THINK IF REPUBLICAN REALLY FRAMED MOVING THE DATE TO YOU KNOW, NOT TRYING TO RESTRICT ANYONE'S RIGHT RIGHTING TO VOTE I THINK DEMOCRATS COULD GET WITH THE DNC FOR INSTANCE HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR US TO GET A RESULT AND WAS BIG FACTOR.

HOWEVER JOE GLORIA HAS SAID FOR INSTANCE THIS IS THE FUTURE OF ELECTIONS.

PRETTY SOON HE THINKS WE'LL DO AWAY WITH IN PERSON VOTING AS A WHOLE.

SO WE NEED TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION ANYWAY.

BUT I DO THINK SOME OF INSTANCES WITH YOU KNOW BALLOT HARVESTING WE REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT BALLOT HARVESTING THAT WAS ANOTHER POLITICAL TALKING POINT THAT GOVERNOR LOMBARDO USED BUT I DON'T THINK THERE REALLY IS THAT MUCH OF IT.

SOME THOSE THINGS I THIS SEE MOVING FORWARD BUT I THINK THERE A CHANCE FOR GOVERNOR LOMBARDO AND A TO PUSH BY SATURDAY SAN SUPPORT >> HAVING WORKED THE POLLS AS TEAM LEADER MOBILE UNIT, I HAD TWO PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT IN THEIR DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND SHE AND ONE WOMAN GOD BLESS HER SOUL READ THE RULES AND PRINTED OUT WHAT INFORMATION WAS REQUIRED SO SHE HAD GONE ONLINE GOT INFORMATION WILL SO THAT WE COULD ACCEPT HER BALLOT.

SO I DIDN'T SEE SIGNS BOTH IN 2020 >> REAL QUICK WE'RE RUNNING OUT TIME.

IT WAS A FELONY WAS AGAINST THE LAW PRIOR TO COVID.

NOW IT'S NOT.

THAT WARRANTS MORE RESEARCH.

RIGHT?

IF IT WE'RE GOING TO JUST THROW OUT SOMETHING THAT WAS AGAINST THE LAW.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA.

I'M NOT SAYING WE SHOULDN'T DO IT I'M SAYING WE SHOULD DO IT DELIBERATIVE SYSTEM WHERE WE TALK ABOUT IT AND FIGURE OUT WHY >> COMMON GROUND >> ALL RIGHT.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION FRIDAY AT 8:00 P.M. ON THE "NEVADA WEEK."

ALSO TO SEE THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO TONIGHT'S ADDRESS GO TO VEGASPBS.ORG/NEVADA WEEK.

FOR NOW WE JOIN PBS NEWS HOUR ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.