Governor Joe Lombardo just got back from Washington, D.C., and he didn’t go empty-handed. He went with a clear agenda — pushing for what matters most to Nevada families and businesses.
Lombardo went to Washington with a clear list of priorities that hit close to home for Nevada families and businesses, including housing costs, federal land restrictions, energy development, trade, and tourism.
“Nevada cannot afford to sit on the sidelines when federal decisions directly impact our economy, our land, and our future,” the Governor said.
“In Washington, I made it clear that Nevada is ready to lead.”
That’s what Nevadans want from their leaders.
Why This Matters
The federal government controls about 87 percent of Nevada’s land. That’s not a typo. Nearly nine out of every ten acres in this state is controlled by Washington bureaucrats, not Nevadans.
It means developers can’t easily build new homes, and communities can’t grow. It also means Nevada families keep paying sky-high housing prices because the supply of land is artificially choked off.
Washoe County could run out of buildable land as early as 2027. Clark County faces the same problem by 2032. It’s a problem that starts and ends with too much federal control over land that should be serving Nevada’s people.
Governor Lombardo met directly with Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to talk about attainable housing solutions.
He also sat down with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to discuss responsible federal land management and energy development.
These are the conversations that could actually move the needle.
Energy and Trade on the Agenda Too
Lombardo didn’t stop at housing. He also talked trade and tourism with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Nevada’s economy is heavily tied to tourism and commerce. Having a governor who’s actively working those relationships in Washington is a real asset.
On energy, the discussion focused on development — not the kind that buries projects under years of regulatory red tape, but the kind that actually produces power and jobs. Nevada has enormous energy potential. Getting federal partners aligned on that is crucial.
The Governor also met with Sara Carter, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. That meeting signals that Lombardo isn’t ignoring the ongoing fentanyl and drug crisis hitting Nevada communities hard.
“I am confident that by maintaining open lines of communication with the Trump Administration, we can spur results for the people of our state,” Lombardo said.
What You Can Do
This is a story worth following. If you care about housing costs, energy independence, and getting federal bureaucrats out of Nevada’s business, here’s how you can help.
Contact Nevada’s congressional delegation and urge them to pass legislation that speeds up land transfers. And stay engaged. When a governor is willing to fight for Nevada in Washington, the least we can do is back him up at home.
Nevada has a leader who’s showing up and speaking up. That’s a good thing. Now it’s time to make sure those conversations turn into real results.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
