Governor Lombardo Scrambles to Resurrect Failed Agenda, Eyes Dragging Lawmakers Back to Force a Billionaire Handout

NEVADA - After failing to pass most of his legislative agenda during Nevada’s biennial session, Governor Joe Lombardo now wants taxpayers to foot the bill for a special session. 

Despite setting a record for the most vetoed bills, Lombardo seeks to pass legislation previously defeated by his own party, including an unpopular film tax credit bill. This proposal would divert substantial taxpayer funds away from essential services, hurting schools and adding pressure to parents already burdened by rising costs and harsh economic conditions worsened by tariffs. Joe Lombardo vetoed bills aimed at helping Nevadans in favor of pursuing an agenda of rewarding out-of-state and out-of-touch billionaires. 

Andrew Clarke, Revenue Coalition Manager of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“While 265,000 Nevadans are about to lose the ability to put food on the table, Governor Lombardo is seated at another table – not with the veterans, schoolchildren, or working families he was elected to serve, but with billion-dollar Hollywood executives.

Instead of using his power to call a special session to tackle real kitchen-table issues – crumbling infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and basic services on the brink – the Governor is playing Monopoly with our tax dollars, handing out sweetheart deals to corporate insiders. A Silver State that bends the knee to the Silver Screen isn’t just selling out its values, it’s failing to provide for its people.”

Tess Opferman, Nevada Women’s Lobby, issued the following statement:

“Life isn’t like a movie. In Nevada, the reality of being a woman isn’t Hollywood glamour – we face some of the worst maternal and reproductive health outcomes in the country. During the last legislative session, the Nevada Women’s Lobby advocated for our state’s dollars to go toward big issues: affordable child care, universal pre-k, maternal and infant health, and better access to care overall. These are not pipe dreams. They’re practical goals – but only if our leaders choose to prioritize them. 

We are disheartened that the film tax credit may be the focus of a special session. State film tax credits are not a big-issue goal for Nevada’s women and families. We urge Governor Lombardo to prioritize families over film.”

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement: 

“Joe Lombardo had the chance to stand with Nevada families but chose instead to veto bills that would have improved their lives. Now, he’s demanding taxpayers pay for a special session aimed at pushing through favors for wealthy elites, like billion-dollar film studios. This is the same governor who has cheered the catastrophic cuts from the Trump administration’s “big, beautiful bill” that will slash funding for our schools and families while bankrolling billionaires across the country.

The governor consistently talks about building a better environment for businesses to succeed, but never about creating a better future for Nevada’s workers, families, and kids. Nevadans deserve better leadership that prioritizes our families, schools, and communities, not billionaire handouts.”

Alexander Marks, Deputy Executive Director, Nevada State Education Association, issued the following statement: 

“The Hollywood Handout is back for a third installment, and it’s the worst kind of trilogy: tired, tone-deaf, and totally out of touch with Nevada’s priorities. Since 2023, Governor Joe Lombardo and legislators have tried, and failed, to green-light a deeply unpopular and economically debunked film tax break. While Nevada continues to rank 47th in funding with the largest class sizes, the Governor is now considering a costly special session to revive a sequel that Nevadans didn’t ask for.

While educators plead for more school funding and parents struggle with rising back-to-school costs, the Governor continues to focus on this misguided financial flop. In his last budget, per-pupil funding increased by just $2, yet Lombardo continues to push a billion-dollar handout for Hollywood. It’s a script written by and for the wealthy while Nevada’s students are left on the cutting room floor. Nevadans don’t need another sequel. We need sustainable investments in public education. It’s time for the Governor to cancel this third act and roll credits on the Hollywood Handout once and for all.”

ABOUT THE GOVERNORS' VETOES: Joe Lombardo vetoed 87 bills during the 83rd (2025) Session. Vetoed bills included AB388, which guaranteed Paid Family Medical Leave, a set of bills aimed at helping tenants, alongside bills that would have protected students in schools from ICE. 

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