Today, I released the following statement after the Nevada Legislature adjourned the 31st Special Session to fill the historic $1.2 billion budget shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the final bills are transmitted to me for signature, I will sign them into law.
Some of the initial reductions were restored with one-time funding options & additional Medicaid dollars identified. Yet, with a $1.2 billion shortfall, we know our State will be challenged to provide essential services Nevadans deserve in health care, edu, & so much more.
Legislation passed during the session includes flexibility to take advantage of any direct federal funding for the state , if authorized to replace revenue & restore reductions. Flexibility is also included to take advantage of the enhanced (FMAP) if it is extended this month.
While all states are facing devastating impacts to budgets as a result of the COVID-19 recession, Nevada once again finds itself hit the hardest due to an overreliance on an unbalanced revenue structure & the continued need to diversify our economy beyond hospitality & tourism.
As Gov, I have been faced with these difficult decisions since this pandemic hit Nevada a little over 4 months ago. I know our lawmakers have seen the impacts in their districts & in this session they have weighed the magnitude of this situation & its impacts on our State.
We must commit ourselves to the overwhelming consensus that was expressed by both parties during this session. There are longstanding, structural problems that must be addressed to ensure Nevada is no longer the most vulnerable state when the economy takes a downturn.
We owe it to our fellow Nevadans, most importantly our children, to seize this opportunity going forward. I look forward to partnering with legislators and community leaders on this great task ahead of us.
