Nevada families

This is the fifth in a series of columns summarizing my Controller’s Annual Report (CAR) for fiscal year 2018 (FY18).

The first two columns showed that since FY06 state spending has grown faster than Nevada’s economy, thus imposing an ever-larger real burden on Nevada families and businesses, whose real per-capita incomes are lower now than in FY06. The other two analyses reviewed spending on health and social services and on K-12 education, the two largest budget items by far and the only major areas on which spending has grown faster than Nevada’s economy.

This is the fourth in a series of columns summarizing my Controller’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2018 (FY18).

The first two columns showed that since FY06 state spending has grown faster than Nevada’s economy, thus imposing an ever-larger real burden on Nevada families and businesses, whose real incomes are lower now than in FY06. The third one noted Health and Social Services spending, the largest budget item, has grown most rapidly by far, driven greatly by federal health care mandates and funding.

This is the second in a series of columns summarizing my Controller’s Annual Report (CAR) for fiscal year 2018 (FY18). Based on the state’s official books and records, the CAR provides Nevada citizens, officials and others summaries of key facts, data, analysis and issues addressing Nevada’s fiscal condition and policy challenges.

I wonder if you heard that we are a CNN Hero Finalist. We can win $100,000 to help more families if we receive enough votes.

Primary and secondary education (K-12) has been the second fastest growing category of Nevada state spending over the past decade, rising from $1.24-billion in fiscal year 2006 (FY06) to $2.22-billion in FY17. It grew 33 percent faster than the incomes of Nevada families and businesses.

CARSON CITY — Wednesday marked the opening day to apply for the Nevada Promise Scholarship. High school students graduating from a Nevada high school in spring 2019, who plan to attend Western Nevada College in fall 2019, must apply for the scholarship no later than October 31, 2018, to be eligible.

Matt Sampson, director of operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada in Carson City, travels to Washington, D.C., April 18-19, to advocate for afterschool programming threatened by cuts in the proposed 2019 federal budget.

This fourth column on the Controller’s Annual Report (CAR) analyzes state taxes. Nevada collected $5.523 billion in taxes in fiscal year 2017, which was 41 percent of total state revenues. As discussed in our previous column, program revenues made up 56 percent, with miscellaneous items at three percent.

The largest tax sources were sales and use taxes ($1.285 billion or 23 percent of general revenues of $5.895 billion), gaming taxes ($897 million or 16 percent) and unemployment assessments ($825 million, or ten percent). All other taxes totaled $2.516 billion, or 43 percent).

his is the second column based on the Controller’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). Here we disclose where the state spends its money.

Total state spending for FY17 was $12.29 billion: $11.033 billion (90 percent) from regular state accounts, including pass-through federal funds; $1.211 billion (ten percent) from tuition, fees, contracts, grants and other service charges by higher education; and $46 million in two other areas. The total was 74 percent higher than in FY06, or 17 percent more in real per-person terms.

We have just issued the Controller’s Annual Report (CAR) for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). Here we provide an overview of it. Future columns will discuss individual sections.

The CAR provides Nevada citizens, officials and others a summary of key facts, data, analysis and issues about the state’s fiscal condition and challenges. The Controller has a statutory charge to recommend plans for: support of public credit; promoting frugality and economy; better management of the state’s fiscal affairs; and better understanding of them.

Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties’ hosts monthly breakfast meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. Diverse groups and community volunteers gather to share news and to collaborate on system changes that improve access to affordable, local food and to health care, and that support community-based, sustainable economic development.

Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump have passed a landmark tax reduction and reform bill. Democrats, mainstream media and other leftists are spreading misinformation about the effects.

Let’s set the record straight.

First, “The new law is larded with provisions custom-made for the rich and superrich while offering mere crumbs for the middle class.” This version of a lie told by many comes from Democrat Alan Blinder, who also said, “it may be the most regressive” tax cut ever.

Time is running out for Nevada high school seniors to take advantage of an opportunity that could shape the rest of their lives. The deadline to apply for the Nevada Promise Scholarship is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Come out and support Carson Victory Rollers and Carson Junior Victory Rollers as they scrimmage Sunday to raise money for Moms on the Run, a local charity that helps cover everyday living expenses of northern Nevada families enduring hardships caused by a catastrophic circumstance, with a primary focus on assisting individuals with breast and gynecological cancers.

High school seniors planning to attend Western Nevada College in fall 2018 have less than a month to apply for the Nevada Promise Scholarship.

Silver City, Nevada - Many groups and volunteers came together once again to make the annual summer program in Silver City a success. Each year since 2003, Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey (HCC) has co-sponsored some of the free, public programming in STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math - that the historic Comstock community offers annually in partnership with nearly a dozen groups and lots of community volunteers.

Silver City, Nevada – The historic Comstock town Silver City offers a wide range of public programming year round, but the community really goes "all out" during the summer months.

Silver City, Nevada- United Way's annual "Tune into Kids" Fun Fair for preschoolers and their parents takes place Tuesday, August 22 from 10am to noon at the Silver City town park (next to the Silver City School House/community center at 385 High Street.) Silver City is located on the Comstock, 3 miles from Virginia City and 12 miles from Carson City.

Many students never make it to college because they can’t afford it. Western Nevada College is delighted to announce that it will participate in the state’s new Nevada Promise Scholarship program, so that young Nevadans can attend WNC starting with the fall 2018 semester, free of class fees.

SILVER CITY — Each summer since 2003, the historic Comstock community of Silver City has partnered with Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey to organize a free, public program with guest teachers leading fun, hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).

Each summer since 2003, the historic Comstock community of Silver City has offered free, public programming in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Last week the annual program kicked off with a blues concert in the park, and this Tuesday, June 13 the program continues with science activities led by Jim Barcellos of University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension (UNCE).

And just like that, the mercury has slid back down the thermometer. You'll want to have a jacket handy for the RSVP Spring Celebration Carnival at Mills Park, but otherwise, most of this evening's fun takes place indoors. Only four shows remain if you'd like to see Western Nevada Musical Theater Company's production of 'Nice Work If You Can Get It.' Brewery Arts Center hosts rising comedian, K-Von, for a night of laughs. Get on the dance floor at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint. Betty Rocker and Raksha Paksha take the stage at this free show. Keep reading - the weekend has just begun.

The State of Nevada Housing Division has raised the household income limit for its Home Is Possible programs, making even more Nevadans eligible for down payment assistance. Since the programs started in 2014, the income limit has been $95,500. In keeping with Nevada’s rising incomes, the limit has been raised three percent to $98,500.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Monday his appointments to the Governor’s Committee on Energy Choice. Sandoval named Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison Chairman of the Committee and has brought together a broad range of energy experts, consumer advocates, and stakeholders.

This is the third column in a series presenting the findings and conclusions of Nevada’s 2016 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), posted at controller.nv.gov. Here, we address health and social services.

The figures reported in the PAFR and discussed here come from the actual numbers in the state’s official financial reports. They are not estimates, future projections or budgeted or requested amounts. Just the actual revenue numbers from state books and records.

Recently, we’ve discussed overall state spending and revenues, and in coming weeks we’ll review the spending and performance in major areas such as education and health and social services. So, it’s timely and appropriate to answer the question: How has the controller’s office done at managing its own spending and delivering services to Nevadans?

Here is the 2017 State of the State presented by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.

This is the second column in a series presenting the findings and conclusions of Nevada’s 2016 Popular Annual Financial Report, posted at controller.nv.gov. Here, we address state revenues.

The tax and other revenue figures reported in the PAFR and discussed here come from the actual numbers in the state’s official financial reports. They are not estimates, future projections or budgeted or requested amounts. Just the actual revenue numbers from state books and records.

This column is the first in a series presenting the findings and conclusions of Nevada’s 2016 Popular Annual Financial Report, which we wrote and issued (on line at controller.nv.gov) as part of the Controller’s office normal activities and duties. Here, we address state spending.

The spending figures reported in the PAFR and discussed here are taken from the actual numbers from the state’s official financial reports. They are not estimates, future projections or budgeted or requested amounts. Just the actual spending from the state books and records.