Nevada sales down 17.9 percent

CARSON CITY, Nev (AP) - Nevada merchants sold $3.2 billion in goods during April for a 17.9 percent slump compared with the same month a year ago, according to a state report Friday.

The Taxation Department report shows that taxable sales were down in 14 of Nevada's 17 counties, including the state's population centers of Clark County, which encompasses Las Vegas, and Washoe County, which includes Reno.

In Clark County, sales dropped 17.1 percent to $2.4 billion; and Washoe County sales fell 22.7 percent to $425.1 million.

The report shows that government sales tax collections based on the sales were down 16.6 percent. The taxes totaled $240.6 million, including $64.3 million for the state and the balance for schools and local governments.