Sheriff turned Gov. Joe Lombardo wants to crack down on Nevada crime

SHANNON LONGWORTH: THE CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF, A REPUBLICAN, UNSEATED THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR OF NEVADA, DEMOCRAT STEVE SISOLAK, WINNING BY ABOUT ONE PERCENTAGE POINT IN NOVEMBER.

AS ONE OF NINE NEW GOVERNORS ENTERING 2023, JOE LOMBARDO IS JUST ONE NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW.

LOMBARDO IS A VETERAN. HE SERVED IN THE ARMY, THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE ARMY RESERVE. HE BEGAN HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WITH THE LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT BEFORE BEING ELECTED SHERIFF.

HE SAYS HE’LL REPEAL WHAT HE CALLS “SOFT-ON-CRIME” LAWS AND POLICIES, INCLUDING REDUCED SENTENCES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND BURGLARS.

JOE LOMBARDO | GOV. ELECT NEVADA: “AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, I WILL EXPAND SCHOOL CHOICE AND MAKE SCHOOL SAFETY A PRIORITY.”

LONGWORTH: TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LOMBARDO PLANS TO WORK WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO REPEAL “RESTORATIVE JUSTICE” MEASURES. THOSE ARE WAYS OF DISCIPLINING STUDENTS WHILE AVOIDING PUNISHMENT, SUCH AS SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION. SISOLAK SAYS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IS A TOOL TO GET TO THE ROOT OF STUDENTS’ BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

LOMBARDO HAS ALSO COMMITTED TO ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION, THERE’S A SHORTAGE OF NEARLY 80,000 AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOMES IN NEVADA. IT DEEMS THE STATE THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY ON THIS ISSUE.

LOMBARDO’S STRATEGY IS TO SPEED UP HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BY MAKING THE LICENSING PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT AND REMOVING SOME LAND RESTRICTIONS. 

AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY, LOMBARDO’S GOAL IS TO BRING MORE JOBS TO NEVADA, INCENTIVIZING INDUSTRIES OUTSIDE OF GAMING AND TOURISM BY ROLLING BACK REGULATIONS AND SETTING UP WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, WHICH PROVIDE JOB TRAINING AND OTHER SERVICES.