Youngkin Backs Lombardo Education Record in Las Vegas

The Virginia governor visited a Las Vegas academy to highlight new school funding initiatives and private education programs.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Scholarships

Youngkin Backs Lombardo Education Record in Las Vegas

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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin visited Founders Classical Academy on October 22 to endorse Governor Joe Lombardo's education record. The event focused on new school funding measures and efforts to boost private education options in the state.

Why it matters

The visit highlights an ongoing push to increase private school funding and expand choice, strategies Joe Lombardo promotes to improve Nevada's education outcomes. Supporters argue these initiatives provide necessary competition, while opponents cite the state's low national ranking as evidence that these policies are insufficient.

Eligible Nevada taxpayers can redirect up to $1,700 in federal income taxes to scholarship organizations, while the Nevada Opportunity Scholarship offers awards of up to $10,094. The program is supported by $2 billion in additional school funding.

The players

Glenn Youngkin

He is the Governor of Virginia who visited Nevada to endorse Joe Lombardo's education platform.

Joe Lombardo

He is the current Governor of Nevada focusing on private school funding and education reform.

Aaron Ford

He is the Attorney General of Nevada who has publicly opposed Governor Lombardo's education policies.

The details

Joe Lombardo has secured $2 billion in school funding and oversaw a 5% rise in childhood literacy since 2022, though he faced criticism for vetoing a 2023 bill regarding school meals. The upcoming Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program, taking effect January 1, 2027, aims to further diversify education funding through redirected income taxes.

The Nevada Opportunity Scholarship program was established in 2015.
Joe Lombardo first ran for governor in 2022.
Lombardo sought to boost scholarship funding in 2023.
Glenn Youngkin visited Founders Classical Academy on October 22, 2026.
The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Culture Shift

The expansion of private education funding represents a broader move toward school choice models that challenge traditional public school systems. This shift reflects a trend where states look to public-private partnerships to address lagging education outcomes.

Families interested in private education can apply for scholarships of up to $10,094 through the Nevada Opportunity Scholarship program. Taxpayers may also look for guidance on how to redirect up to $1,700 of their federal income taxes starting in 2027.

The takeaway

The new federal tax credit program provides a mechanism for individuals to redirect tax dollars to support private school scholarships. Residents should consult a tax professional to understand how the $1,700 credit limit applies to their specific financial situation.