Board of Examiners approve $3.4 million to cover prison costs

The Board of Examiners this week approved $3.4 million from the legislative contingency fund to cover unexpected costs at Nevada's prisons.

Most of the money - $2.32 million - will go to cover medical costs including prescription drug costs, which have increased more than anticipated when the budget was approved by lawmakers.

Another $394,565 will cover revenue shortfalls at the Casa Grande Transitional Housing center. Inmates are supposed to help cover some costs of Casa Grande as they work in the community and prepare for release. But with so many applicants looking for work, it's hard for inmates to get transitional jobs in the current economy.

In addition, the board consisting of the governor, secretary of state and attorney general approved $4.55 million to the secretary of state's office to develop a state business portal. That project is designed to centralize and simplify the process of licensing and registering new businesses that want to move to Nevada. It would provide a system helping businesses get all their taxation, licensing and registration requirements taken care of in one place.