COVID-19 Budget Crisis

Clock Ticks On Pandemic EBT Program

By • 19 hours ago

A federal program called Pandemic EBT has been a lifeline for many low-income families recently. But unless Congress acts, it’ll expire at the end of the month.

 


Nevada Task Force Assigned To Process Backlogged Unemployment Claims

By Michelle Rindels • Sep 10, 2020
Woman standing in front of a closed building
Daniel Clark / The Nevada Independent

As Nevada’s unemployment crisis heads into its sixth month, some claimants are still in limbo in a system swamped by more than a million applications for benefits. There’s been a lawsuit. There’s also been new legislation passed in a special session.

COVID-19 Recession Exacerbating Inequalities, Report Shows

By • Sep 6, 2020

A new report shows that the COVID-19 recession has households in the Mountain West facing high hardship rates, especially when it comes to rent and food security.

 


Postponed Surgeries Pinch Hospitals And Rural Patients

By • Aug 19, 2020

Daniel Bear lives in Kenilworth, Utah, a small community of around 200 people between Salt Lake City and Moab. Earlier this year, Bear suffered a woodworking accident that involved his hand and a tablesaw. It was messy.

Businesses In A Montana Border Town Suffer Without Traffic In And Out Of Canada

By • Jul 27, 2020

This story was powered by America Amplified, a public radio initiative.

The U.S.-Canada border crossing north of Eureka, Mont., is quiet these days. No buses or vans packed with mountain bikes and vacationing families. Just a single logging truck. 

"No traffic hardly at all," says David Clarke, owner of the First & Last Chance Bar and Duty Free Store.

Nevada Lawmakers Make Steep Cuts To Education And Health Services, Fail To Heavily Tax Mines

By & • Jul 20, 2020
Two rows of long, curved tables with people in professional attire, wearing masks, sitting in front of them. The point of view is from above and to the side.
David Calvert / Nevada Independent

Lawmakers in Nevada ended their special session to address the state's massive budget shortfall over the weekend, passing just five bills in 12 days. To help us break down that legislation, and what it means for the state, we turn now to KUNR's Paul Boger and Lucia Starbuck, who covered the session in its entirety.

Nevada Creates Rental Assistance Program Amid Pandemic Fallout

By • Jul 20, 2020
A graphic from the Nevada Housing Division showing an umbrella protecting a house from a storm. The graphic reads "If you're struggling to pay rent due to COVID-19, there is help."
The Nevada Housing Authority via The Nevada State Treasurer's Office

Starting Monday, Nevadans who find themselves late on their rent payments can apply for assistance through a newly created state-run rent relief program. KUNR’s Paul Boger spoke with State Treasurer Zach Conine about the program and how it may help hundreds of thousands of people who may have fallen behind on their rent. 

Proposed Public Health Cuts Worry Nevada Medicaid Recipients, Lawmakers

By • Jul 14, 2020
A mother sits with her three toddler sons, posing for a photo.
Jennifer Cantley

Nevada spends about one-third of its general fund on public health programs like Medicaid and mental health services. But, in order to address a massive budget shortfall created by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers must cut around $233 million from public health services.

Sisolak Calls Special Session To Address COVID-19 Budget Shortfall

By & • Jul 8, 2020
Governor Steve Sisolak sits at a podium at the state legislature.
Lucia Starbuck / This Is Reno

Lawmakers in Nevada are slated to gavel into a special session Wednesday morning to address a looming budget crisis. According to a report released by the Governor’s Office, Nevada is looking at a $1.2 billion deficit in the state’s general fund. 

Nevada’s Slim Physician Workforce May Grow Slimmer With Patients Slow To Return To Doctor’s Offices

By Megan Messerly • Jul 4, 2020
A receptionist checking in a patient at a doctor’s office.
Jeff Scheid / The Nevada Independent

Lee en español.

A majority of Nevada doctors believe they can only keep their doors open for another two to six months unless the volume of patients trickling back into their offices significantly increases, according to a new survey from the American Medical Association.

Sisolak Propone Permisos Sin Goce De Sueldo Una Vez Al Mes Para Trabajadores Estatales

By Michelle Rindels • Jun 15, 2020
El Gobernador de Nevada Steve Sisolak durante una conferencia de prensa.
Jeff Scheid / The Nevada Independent

Read in English.

El Gobernador de Nevada Steve Sisolak dice que propondrá permisos de un día al mes sin goce de sueldo para los empleados estatales, así como congelar aumentos salariales por mérito y efectuar al menos 50 despidos para atender el déficit presupuestario relacionado con la pandemia en el estado.

Sisolak Proposes Monthly Furlough Day, Merit Pay Freeze, State Employee Layoffs Due To Budget Gap

By Michelle Rindels • Jun 15, 2020
Governor Steve Sisolak is standing behind a podium during a press conference.
Jeff Scheid / The Nevada Independent

Lee en español.

Gov. Steve Sisolak says he’ll propose furloughs of one day a month for state employees, as well as a freeze in merit salary raises and fewer than 50 layoffs to help address the state’s pandemic-related budget shortfall.

Moody's Report Highlights Importance Of 'Rainy Day' Funds, Like Wyoming's

By • May 29, 2020
A state-by-state chart showing the various preparedness levels for each state government.
Moody's Analytics

Forty-two states are not prepared for a pandemic-induced recession. That’s the finding of a recent analysis from Moody’s Analytics. In the Mountain West, the prognosis isn’t as bad as it might seem at first.

State And Local Leaders Take First Steps To Address Nevada's Looming Budget Crisis

By • May 21, 2020
The Nevada Legislative building
Alexa Ard / KUNR Public Radio

Nevada is facing a budget crisis. According to estimates, sales and gaming taxes fell drastically during the state’s COVID-19 related shutdown in March and April, leaving a gaping budget hole for the current fiscal year ending June 30. So, how are lawmakers and others addressing the issue?