Economic panel raises budget savings target

CARSON CITY " Members of a key advisory panel are taking a conservative stance on Nevada finances as they work to set a target for budget savings before next week's special session of the state Legislature.

Economic Forum members in Carson City are still meeting. But they've raised the target figure to about $200 million after taking gambling and state sales tax projections into account.

That's closer to the budget hole of about $240 million that Gov. Jim Gibbons has been focusing on, and double the $100 million target legislative leaders wanted.

The results of the special session could affect state programs and spending from prisons to schools to roads.