SISOLAK'S NEW PLANS TARGET HOUSING ROADS INTERNET KIDS

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak outlined his latest plans for spending billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief and other funds with an emphasis on reducing housing costs, upgrading infrastructure and expanding broadband internet access.

In an off-year version of his state of the state speech, Sisolak emphasized he won't propose any new tax increases. He said the $500 million he is proposing in an initiative he dubbed Home Means Nevada” would be the single largest housing investment in state history.

Other new initiatives are intended to lower child-care costs, provide free lunches for all school children the next two years, hire more health care workers, raise salaries for state law officers and combat climate change, he said.

The Democratic governor is seeking re-election against a crowded field of Republicans who've criticized his handling of the pandemic, especially a statewide mask mandate he lifted two weeks ago.

While we still have a lot more work to do, we refused to let the pandemic stop our progress, Sisolak said in the speech to invited guests and media at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas that was broadcast on YouTube.

“The state of our state is resilient and getting stronger day by day, he said. Nevada is on the move.

Sisolak closed casinos and many businesses when COVID-19 first arrived in Nevada in March 2020 until early June 2020 to prevent people from gathering and spreading the virus.

Unemployment skyrocketed, topping 30% — the highest in the nation. Hotel bookings stopped. The effects on the state economy are still being felt.