Nevada has felt the pinch of a $500 million shortfall but projections now push the Silver State’s budget deficit to around $900 million. That puts state agencies on edge as they wait to hear where the axe will fall.
Systems like the correctional facilities are saying they can’t handle any more cuts without putting safety on the line. The number crunching has been done and the cuts are going to hurt much more than first thought.
“The last several months have shown us a rather disturbing trend and it goes to show you that even the best laid plans can often go awry,” said Governor Jim Gibbons.
Gibbons says many state agencies will likely have to slash their budgets an additional 3-percent. That’s on top of the already announced 4.5-percent statewide cutbacks.
“Our state government cannot then turn to those people who are doing with less and suffering from the escalating cost of everything to reach deeper in their pocket and take more out so we don’t have to make those tough decisions,” said Gibbons.