State budget shortfall not quite as bad as feared

CARSON CITY -- State Budget Director Andrew Clinger told legislators today that new estimates show state government has a current fiscal year shortfall of $309 million. That's less than the $358 million that the administration said last week was expected during the fiscal year.

Clinger made the announcement during a meeting of the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee.

Gov. Jim Gibbons will meet later today with legislative leaders to discuss whether the state needs to lay off workers or make other cuts to balance the budget. Unlike the federal government, Nevada, under its constitution, must balance its budget.

Legislators and the governor since January have cut spending by nearly $1.2 billion in the two-year budget that ends next June 30. The $309 million in additional cuts would bring the total to $1.5 billion. Nevada is operating under a two-year $6.8 billion general fund budget.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel with more information at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-697-3901.