Budget deal would cut education by nearly 7 percent

State spending on education would be cut by 6.9 percent under a budget deal Democrats and Republicans reached tonight, according to a source who has seen the draft budget document.

Members of the political party caucuses still must agree to the plan, which could be approved by the special session as soon as Sunday.

The deal was reached after two meetings between legislative leaders and Gov. Jim Gibbons on Day 5 of the special session.

Gibbons had initially proposed a 10 percent cut in state spending on K-12 and higher education for a potential savings of $250 million, and Democrats were pushing for a 5 percent reduction.

The level of education cuts was the major spending dispute as lawmakers put together the plan to fill an $887 million budget gap.
Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.