Gov. Joe Lombardo lays out priorities in first State of the State address

CARSON CITY (KTNV) — Monday night, Gov. Joe Lombardo will lay out his vision for Nevada in his first State of the State address.

The speech is expected to last just shy of an hour, with a response from Democratic leaders to follow.

Nevadans are eager to hear what the governor's top priorities are for the Silver State ahead of the 2023 Legislative Session. State leaders will determine how to spend extra money in pandemic funds from the federal government, which came with a three-year spending deadline.

Education officials believe Lombardo may stay true to his campaign promise to become the "Education Governor."

Lombardo has vowed he and his staff will work with the Democratic-controlled state legislature to achieve his goals.

KTNV's Tricia Kean is in Carson City to bring viewers full coverage of Lombardo's State of the State address. Tune in live at 6 p.m. to watch the speech and the Democratic response that follows.

Lombardo starts off his State of the State Address by discussing the issue of the prices at the pump.

Lombardo says he's suspending the state's gas tax for the next 12 months, saying it will save consumers an estimated $250 million.

His budget also proposes $2 billion in new funding for K-12 education.

Lombardo says, “Here’s the tough part.” He says if there isn’t any change in two years, he will call for systematic change in governance and leadership.

Lombardo calls for the creation of the Office of School Choice under the state’s department of education.

Lombardo says schools will have 5 years to improve literacy scores or students cannot advance beyond the 3rd grade until brought up to grade level; proposes $60 million to continue and expand pre-K opportunities.

On the public safety front, proposing 2 grade increase for law enforcement officers above what is recommended to bring them closer to parity with local agencies.