Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Sandoval: Put extra tax revenue toward public schools

Brian Sandoval

Brian Sandoval

CARSON CITY — Any extra tax dollars from an upswing in Nevada’s economy should be invested in public schools, Gov. Brian Sandoval said.

The Economic Forum meets May 2 to forecast how much tax revenue will be available for the coming two years. Some have estimated it may be as much as $100 million more than earlier projections.

The Legislature must base its budget on the prediction of the Economic Forum.

Sandoval wouldn’t make his own forecast but said the casino business has been “extra strong in March” and it should be good in April. Sales tax receipts also are showing strength, he said.

Some of the harshest criticism of the early Sandoval administration has come from the governor’s proposed cuts for the public schools. Sandoval has suggested cutting the K-12 budget by $200 million, or 6 percent, for the next biennium.

A rally of about 250 teachers, parents and children delivered loud protests to the proposed reductions Monday. Speakers complained that Sandoval has balanced the budget on the backs of teachers.

There were signs that read “Tax mines, not minds,” “Use a tax not an ax” and “Better schools for a better Nevada.”

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, told the rally outside the legislative building in Carson City that adopting Sandoval’s budget would make Nevada last in the nation in funding education.

Sandoval’s budget calls for a 5 percent reduction in salary for teachers and recommends they pay more into their pension plan, equaling a 10 percent cutback.

The governor Tuesday reiterated his stance that he will not sign any bill increasing taxes. He also was firm that any unexpected revenue in the coming two years should be poured into K-12 education.

He said $41 million extra already has been put into programs involving autism, services for the elderly and juvenile mental health treatment. The extra money came from an increase in federal funds to the Medicaid program.

Asked if he would veto a bill that allows the state Department of Motor Vehicles to charge $1 or $7 for those who use the new self-serve kiosks, Sandoval said those are convenience fees.

He said the use of the kiosks is not mandatory. They allow motorists to transact registration and driver’s license business without long waits.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy