Nevadans are feeling the fallout from Lombardo’s new state system failing and pay out critical programs to Donald Trump halting federal funds many Nevadans rely on.

On Jan 27th, the Trump Administration issued a late night federal funding freeze that could starve state agencies, public programs, and non-profits doing critical work across Nevada of the funding they need to keep serving Nevadans. Federal funding accounts for over 37% of Nevada’s budget and provides millions of dollars for local governments, our court systems, and local nonprofits. Despite this, Governor Joe Lombardo is putting Donald Trump’s agenda above what’s best for Nevadans and has refused to put Nevadans first by calling on  the Trump Administration to rescind its harmful, and illegal, order. 

Trump’s order halting all federal funding and grants is causing chaos and panic as it could impact housing affordability and education programs, health grants, disaster aid, energy and infrastructure grants. Nutrition assistance for mothers and children, guaranteed school lunch and breakfast programs, and Medicaid coverage for more than 800,000 Nevadans might all be on the chopping block. While Nevadans wait for the impacts of this sweeping order to play out, Joe Lombardo’s refusal to defend Nevada and speak out against Trump is poised to have devastating consequences for the state. 

Last week, Lombardo’s new state finance system failed to pay out critical state expenses, including child support and health savings account payments. This came just days after Lombardo bragged that he was “proud to announce that the first phase of the financial system went live on January 2 and is now paying Nevada’s bills”. 

Nevada State Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett:

“If Joe Lombardo had any courage at all, he would be speaking up and fighting to restore all the federal funding to Nevada that the Trump Administration has halted, which threatens key programs that help Nevada families afford food, child care, housing, education and so much more. Instead, Lombardo is showing cowardice in the face of Trump putting a hold on necessary programs that help Nevadans make ends meet in a time when too many folks are living paycheck to paycheck.”