High diesel prices=>less NV mining tax revenue

Still preposterous after all these years.  While looking over the relationship between the price of gold and Nevada tax revenue (see below) I noticed a thing that is sad but not surprising. Of the state’s 25 producing gold mines, 11 of them reported paying zero dollars under the state’s primary mining tax — the tax on net proceeds — because they took enough tax deductions to wipe out their tax bill.

The 11 mines are small, comparatively. But one of them (Osgood Mining Co.’s Granite Creek mine) paid zero mining taxes on $78 million worth of gold. Collectively, the 11 mines produced more than $155 million worth of gold without paying mining taxes on it.

Every year several mines pay zero mining taxes on millions and millions of dollars worth of gold. It’s been happening for decades. Clearly, elected officials of both parties think it’s fair and fine.

But the mining industry’s PR/lobbying arm over the years has stressed that the state’s main mining tax is technically a property tax. I wonder how many other businesses/industries in Nevada would like to be able to claim expenses as deductions and wipe out their property tax bill.

IN NEVADA CURRENT

Thanks to last year’s skyrocketing gold prices, as a percentage of revenue, the mining industry’s expenses — and the size of allowable tax deductions — were smaller last year. This year, the price of gold has mostly leveled. Meanwhile, diesel and other rising costs means higher expenses, and larger tax deductions, which will eat into tax revenue. Nevada got a mining tax revenue windfall in 2025, but 2026 isn’t looking as shiny

Heading higher ed. Patrick Villa, a mathematics professor at the College of Southern Nevada, will face higher education Regent Jennifer McGrath, the incumbent who was appointed to the seat in 2025, during the upcoming general election. Michael Lyle reports: In first election since being appointed, higher ed regent draws challenge from math professor

Note: Politics attracts all sorts of opportunists and grifters and charlatans. I hesitate to repeat it, for a couple reasons, but the quote from 20th century journalist, essayist, and smart ass H.L. Mencken yet again comes to mind: “The only way for a reporter to look at a politician is down.” 

Yet one might think someone who is not running for governor or Congress but, rather, a presumably less grimy public office as a board member overseeing a state’s higher education system, would be more forthcoming and less furtive than your run-of-the-mill political creep. Especially if that candidate is already an incumbent on the board, but only by appointment, and now getting a very first opportunity to earn not only the vote but the respect of the citizenry and the thousands of students on whose behalf she will be making decisions. Alas, NSHE regent-by-appointment-only Jennifer McGrath has gone in, you know, a different direction. Twice she has failed to respond to requests for interviews, first for our primary voter guide, and again for this preview of her general election race. (And I notice she also failed to respond to a questionnaire from the Nevada Independent.) Typical these days, I guess. But still disheartening.

Also…

Diesel prices shoot upward as top farm-state GOP senator begs Trump for export embargo. Good ol’ Chuck Grassley. He’s never shied away from treating the symptom instead of the cause. Via the D.C. bureau.

Medical groups, patients sue Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements. “Creating barriers to healthcare coverage for the most vulnerable needlessly puts people’s lives at risk and inevitably drives up the cost of care for everyone.” Yup. Sounds Trumpy alright. Via Stateline.

Good luck