Washoe County families feel the brunt of Gov. Lombardo’s decision as school meal programs are slashed, leading to a backlash from parents and local officials.
In a move that has ignited a fierce political and humanitarian debate, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo’s veto of a bipartisan bill guaranteeing school meals for all students is causing an uproar across the state. The decision, which has forced Washoe County to halt its guaranteed meals program just weeks into the school year, has been met with harsh criticism from Nevada Democrats, parents, and local officials, who say it leaves vulnerable children without access to their only reliable source of nutrition.
Lunch Boxes and Letters: A Direct Appeal to Republicans
This week, Nevada Democrats delivered lunch boxes containing a letter from Washoe County School Board President Beth Smith to Republican offices in a symbolic protest against Governor Lombardo’s veto. Smith, also a mother of two, wrote an impassioned letter expressing her frustration, stating that Lombardo’s decision has devastating consequences for the students and families who rely on school meals. The letter detailed the immediate impact on Washoe County, which drained its savings to cover school meals for just the first month of the year.