Executive Summary
After years during which baseline revenue failed to grow, state revenues were beginning to turn around ahead of the 2013 Nevada Legislative Session. Even with more than $700 million in temporary tax hikes set to expire, Nevada was projected to receive more tax revenue by FY 2015 than it received in FY 2012.
The Economic Forum — tasked with developing official revenue estimates for the state — announced in November 2012 that, despite the pending expiration of statewide increases in sales and payroll taxes, Nevada’s general fund would receive $5.812 billion for the 2013-2015 budget cycle. That’s very close to the $6.152 billion state government received in the 2011-2013 budget cycle.
In March 2012, however, Gov. Brian Sandoval announced an intention to seek continuation, for another two years, of “temporary” tax hikes. Most of these tax hikes were originally scheduled to sunset at the conclusion of the 2009-2011 budget cycle.
This decision stood in stark contrast to his campaign trail promises, when Sandoval vowed to voters in 2010 that he would fight against any extension of the so-called “sunset taxes.”
Sandoval’s decision to raise taxes set the tone for the entire 2013 Legislative Session.
Legislators scores are on pages 25-26, and Gov. Sandoval’s score is on page 27.