Is Nevada’s economy booming or middling? It depends on the questions, who you ask
Is Nevada’s economy booming or middling? It depends on the questions, who you ask While the state rakes in record high tax revenues, workers are still facing slow wage growth and the nation’s highest unemployment rate. Sean Golonka December 10th, 2023 at 2:00 AM Looking at traditional indicators to get a sense of how Nevada’s economy is faring is a bit like betting on roulette. Betting on black — or in this case finding a positive metric? You may or may not come out on top because the state’s economy is filled with mixed signals. Good news: The state has seen 32 consecutive months of more than $1 billion in statewide gaming revenue. Bad news: Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the nation — and has for months. Good news: Record tax collections have furnished the largest budget in state history. Bad news: Nevada ranks near-bottom nationally for average wages and wage growth. The national economy has been similarly difficult to parse. While the annual inflation rate has declined significantly since last fall, prices continue to rise and remain far above where they stood prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve, meanwhile, continues to navigate a soft [...]