Governor Lombardo’s Record-Breaking Veto Spree Ends with 87 Rejections
Yesterday marked the end of an era for Nevada. Governor Joe Lombardo had until June 12 to make his final decisions on bills passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature. When the dust settled, he had vetoed an unprecedented 87 bills from this session alone – shattering his own 2023 record of 75 vetoes.
Think about that for a minute. In just two years as governor, Lombardo has rejected 162 bills. That’s more than the previous Republican governor, Brian Sandoval, vetoed in eight full years in office.
Looking at the bills he vetoed on the final day shows exactly why limited government advocates should be pleased. Let’s break down some key rejections:
Election Bills
Assembly Bill 534 would have centralized too much election authority in a single office, inherently weakening the role of trusted local officials and community input, and raises election integrity concerns, according to the governor’s veto message.
Assembly Bill 597 sought to allow non-affiliated individuals to participate in partisan primaries. Lombardo noted that Nevada voters had already rejected this idea, saying it was inappropriate to override their clear decision.
Healthcare
Senate Bill 217 would have forced Nevada to provide in vitro fertilization coverage through Medicaid without adequate funding.
Lombardo explained that:
“Without dedicated and sustainable funding this mandate is fiscally impossible considering the current posture of the state’s budget”.
Senate Bill 182 attempted to impose rigid nurse-to-patient ratios on hospitals.
The governor argued this:
“removes the flexibility that hospitals and care teams need to respond in real time to fluctuating patient needs, emergencies, and staffing availability”.
Property Rights
One of the most telling vetoes involved Senate Bill 303, which dealt with recreational immunity for landowners.
Lombardo wrote that the bill, “overcorrects in a way that may create new problems” and could “have a chilling effect on community-driven land use and recreational development”.
Looking Ahead: The Political Fallout
These vetoes will likely become major campaign issues in future elections. Democrats are already using Lombardo’s record to argue that Nevada needs different leadership. They’re framing each veto as evidence that he’s out of touch with regular Nevadans.
But here’s what they’re missing: many Nevada families understand that every government program comes with a cost. Every new mandate means higher taxes or reduced services elsewhere. Every regulation makes it harder for businesses to create jobs.
What Conservatives Can Do
First, stay informed about which bills were vetoed and why. The governor’s office releases detailed veto messages explaining his reasoning. These documents are educational tools that show the real-world impacts of proposed legislation.
Second, support local candidates who understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and limited government. Nevada’s divided government – with a Republican governor and Democratic legislature – shows how important executive leadership can be in checking legislative excess.
Third, get involved in the 2026 elections. With new legislative maps and changing demographics, every vote will matter. The veto pen is only as strong as the person holding it.
Finally, recognize that vetoes aren’t the end of the story. The 43 bills Lombardo vetoed after the session will not be transmitted back to the Legislature until the next regularly scheduled legislative session, set to begin in 2025. Only at that time will lawmakers have the opportunity to attempt to override any of those vetoes.
The Bottom Line
Governor Lombardo’s record-breaking 87 vetoes represent more than just political opposition. They show what happens when someone who believes in limited government actually has the power to enforce those beliefs. Each veto was a choice to prioritize fiscal responsibility over feel-good legislation, property rights over government control, and local decision-making over state mandates.
For Nevada conservatives, these vetoes are victories worth celebrating. They prove that elections have consequences and that principled leadership can make a real difference in protecting our freedoms and keeping government in check.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
