Erin BreenChannel 2 News
Governor Brian Sandoval said he is optimistic about the Silver State's future despite our economic struggles. Where he says we're improving and what still needs work in an interview "Only on 2."
Because the legislature is not in session this year, there will not be an official State of the State address, but the Governor did take the time to talk with me about how he thinks things are going one year into his term.
When Governor Sandoval was sworn in one year ago, Nevada had the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the country along with sagging revenues.
But Sandoval had a plan; cut spending, consolidate services and redirect money. All things he did but a year later Nevada still has the same economic woes.
While the Governor admits we're not in great shape yet, he says we're actually making progress. "Unemployment is unacceptably high. When I came in in January of 2011 it was 14.9% now it's 12.5%. But it is going in the right direction. You talked about gaming which is up, but in Northern Nevada it's down," the Governor explained.
The Governor attributes that decline to Indian gaming so close by in the North, but he says Southern Nevada is making up for it.
In fact, he says the south is doing better than ever… setting records for visitors who are spending less but adding up to record entertainment, restaurant and room revenues.
"So, on a statewide basis things are up for gaming. For sales tax, in fact, that's up 16 months in a row and I'm pleased to see that. So we're better than we expected to be, but we still have a lot of work to do," explains Governor Sandoval.
The Governor has reorganized his cabinet, brought in new faces with new approaches and is currently working on a regulation review trying to keep Nevada as business-friendly as possible. He's also working to diversify business in the north, one company at a time.
"I am constantly on the phone with companies looking to relocate or expand here and that is really going extremely well in that regard."
The Governor plans to address the foreclosure rate with a mass assembly of bank officials and those who need help in March. He also says an economic study on where to place next year's goals is set for release February 7th.
