Revenue Coalition Calls on Nevada Legislature to Build a Fairer Tax Code

LAS VEGAS, NV - Ahead of the Nevada Legislature’s Joint Interim Standing Committee on Revenue hearing on August 26, the Revenue Coalition is calling on lawmakers to use the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process to modernize the state’s tax code and address what it calls a growing affordability crisis for Nevada families.

The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 am in Room 4 of the Nevada Legislature Hearing Rooms in Las Vegas (video-conferenced to Room 4100 of the Legislative Building in Carson City), as the committee continues its interim review of the state's revenue streams.

Andrew Clarke, Coalition Manager, Nevada Revenue Coalition, issued the following statement:

“​Ahead of the 2027 Legislative session, the federal government has rethought its role as a partner to the states. With over $9.5 billion cut from programs that matter most to Nevadans over the next decade, the legislature faces tough choices. Furloughs and programmatic cuts are a temporary solution to what’s proven to be a permanent problem. But with calamity comes opportunity.

Together, we can reimagine a state budget that works for everyone. ​Today's agenda represents the opportunity to provide a tax code that is both uniform and equal for all Nevadans in how we raise revenue, and in turn the first-class services we provide.”

Christian Solomon, Western Regional Director at RISE Free Org, issued the following statement:

“Modernizing our revenue will put Nevada in a position where we can fund higher education and prevent the burden of a tuition rate increase from falling on students and families.”

Alexander Marks, Deputy Director at the Nevada State Education Association, issued the following statement:

“The Commission on School Funding has already given us a plan to fully fund our schools. When it comes to revenue, Nevada can’t continue to be more generous to sports teams and server farms than to the Nevadans who teach our kids, drive their buses, prepare their meals, and keep our schools running. Seriously, pass the plan.”

Elisa Caferetta, Executive Director at the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, issued the following statement:

“When families cannot access affordable child care, when children cannot get timely mental health care, the result is often a preventable crisis that lands in the child welfare system instead. Sustained investment in prevention and family stability reduces demand on high acuity foster care placements and improves outcomes for youth transitioning out of care. New, dedicated revenue for early childhood and children's mental health is, functionally, prevention spending for the child welfare system. It is far more cost-effective to fund a family before a crisis than to fund a placement after one.

We ask this committee to advance new, dedicated revenue options with children's systems specifically named as a funding priority. We ask that any revenue package under consideration be evaluated in part by its impact on families currently locked out of child care assistance, on children waiting for mental health care, and on the child welfare system's capacity to intervene early rather than late.”

Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, Policy and External Affairs Director at the Children’s Cabinet, issued the following statement:

“Investments in child care, early learning, home visiting and family support services help children arrive at school ready to succeed while enabling parents to participate in the workforce. These investments strengthen families today and build Nevada’s future workforce.At the same time, we recognize that children do not thrive based solely on access to early childhood programs. Families also need affordable housing, healthcare, food security, and behavioral health supports. When parents struggle to meet basic needs, children experience those impacts as well.

This is not an either-or conversation. Nevada needs a revenue system that is adequate, sustainable, and capable of supporting both a comprehensive early childhood system and the broader economic security programs that help families remain stable and resilient. We encourage the Committee to pursue new revenue solutions that reflect the scale of Nevada’s needs and the opportunities that come from investing in your youngest children and their families.”

Amy Pason, President of the UNR AAUP Chapter (Nevada Faculty Alliance) issued the following statement:

“We know we are all in this together to address the state budget and all our needs. NSHE has already looked at increases on students to help cover some of the needed costs of personnel at our institutions, but it is only through statewide revenue policy that the state can invest in all public needs. The next legislative session will need bold leadership to address the state’s long-standing revenue issues, diversify our economy, and ensure a healthy and fair tax system.

While we know our University will have many requests in the next session, we need legislators to remember we have to fund the core academic mission, dollar for dollar, alongside any other outlays. As constituents, we’ll be paying attention and together with our friends across the public sector advocating for a safe, healthier, and better educated Nevada based on everyone paying their fair share.”

Jesse Cruz, member AFSCME Local 4041 and administrative assistant at Division of Public and Behavioral Health, issued the following statement:

“The state’s budget should prioritize Nevadans and public services over corporations. Decades of tax abatements and funding carveouts have strained Nevada’s budget, while our communities suffer from cuts to essential public services. Last year, the Nevada legislature was unable to fulfill state workers' collective bargaining agreements, leaving state workers with stagnant wages as the cost of living continues to increase.  

Members of AFSCME Local 4041 applaud the interim committee on revenue's strict oversight of abatements so corporations finally begin paying their fair share and state employees can get the wage increases we deserve.”

ABOUT REVENUE COALITION: The Nevada Revenue Coalition is a coalition of childcare advocates, non-profits, and labor unions working to modernize Nevada’s revenue streams and build a state budget that reflects the needs of working families. The coalition advocates for closing costly corporate tax loopholes, including abatements, reimagining a budget that reflects the needs of Nevada today, and ensuring our revenue system no longer places the greatest burden on those who can least afford it.

SPOKESPEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

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