The Stakes
Nevada has no state income tax, relying instead on gaming and sales taxes. This creates a volatile revenue stream. The debate centers on whether to diversify revenue (like the Commerce Tax or margin tax) to fund education and services, or to maintain the status quo to attract business.
Where They Stand
Aaron Ford
Democrat · Attorney General
Position
Ford told The Nevada Independent he opposes new taxes during the affordability crisis. That answer narrows the tax contrast with Lombardo and shifts Ford's economic message toward enforcement, cost relief, and existing-revenue priorities rather than broad new revenue.[F49]The Nevada Independent, Ford On the Record
Voter Question
If Ford is not asking voters for new taxes, can his affordability, health-care, housing, and education agenda be delivered through enforcement and budget priority changes alone?
Danielle Ford
No Political Party · State Board of Education
Position
Stated in her September 2026 media brief that "new taxes should not be the first answer to every budget problem." Prioritizes auditing major state contracts, closing procurement and no-bid loopholes, scrutinizing corporate tax abatements, and eliminating administrative waste before seeking new revenue.[DF33]Media Issue Brief Open to studying a transparent, voter-approved state lottery to fund public needs, acknowledging that Art. 4, Sec. 24 of the Nevada Constitution currently prohibits state lotteries and requires constitutional amendment.
Voter Question & Nuance
Can procurement audits and contract reforms produce sufficient fiscal savings to expand special education and health services without broad-based revenue? And given that constitutional amendments require two legislative approvals plus a general election vote, how would the 2027-2029 budget be balanced before lottery proceeds could materialize?