Federal Funding Crucial to Nevada

Tom Darby

Carson City, Nev. — Federal dollars account for roughly 28 percent of Nevada’s $54 billion biennial budget, or about $15 billion, underscoring the state’s reliance on Washington for key programs.

The Department of Health and Human Services, primarily Medicaid, which covers 761,000 Nevadans, receives nearly $12 billion. Education, transportation, agriculture, and veterans programs also depend heavily on federal support, including $950 million for K-12 schools and $2.8 billion for highways and bridges through 2026.

While Nevada is less dependent on federal funds than some states, officials warn that the state remains vulnerable to changes in federal policy.