Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has vetoed Assembly Bill 388, which would have expanded paid family-leave benefits for state employees and private-sector workers after just 90 days on the job. The plan sought to increase leave from eight to twelve weeks and pay full wages for most workers—but Lombardo argued it carried “broad, burdensome mandates” that undercut Nevada’s business-friendly climate and small business growth  .

This veto isn’t an attack on families—it’s a lesson in fiscal responsibility. By protecting employers from heavy-handed government rules, Lombardo is preserving economic freedom and shielding businesses from inflated costs and legal risks. In his broader campaign, he has repeatedly asserted that government shouldn’t hijack industries or pick economic winners—especially when many Nevadans favor accountability over expanded spending.

Supporters of the bill framed paid leave as a stepping stone to fairness, yet higher costs often shift to consumers, employees, or taxpayers. Critics on the left may argue the policy would uplift working families, but Lombardo warns it would discourage growth, particularly at small-to-medium enterprises already balancing tight margins . If freedom means anything, it includes the right for business owners to invest, hire, and thrive—without fearing new government-imposed payroll burdens.

Nevada has made strides toward workplace security and family care—but heavy-handed mandates aren’t the answer. True progress requires safeguarding both worker rights and economic opportunity. With this veto, Lombardo reinforces the principle that prosperity grows best where freedom and responsibility guide the way.

Source: Nevada Current, MyNews4/Fox11, The Nevada Independent 

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