Nevada just saved your tax dollars with this smart tech upgrade

By Kristen Kniep  

Nevada News and Views

Nevada is proving that government doesn’t have to be slow, wasteful, or stuck in the past.

With a major technology upgrade called CORE.NV, state leaders are working to cut red tape, stop wasteful spending, and make state government faster and easier for Nevadans to deal with.

This effort began under Governor Joe Lombardo’s leadership and is already showing strong results.

Fixing Old Problems with New Tools

For years, Nevada’s financial and HR systems were out of date. Think floppy disk kind of old. Basic tasks like tracking spending or processing payroll were slow and had to be done by hand.

That kind of system wastes time, costs more money, and leads to mistakes.

So the state launched CORE.NV — a plan to bring everything into the modern world. It’s being done in steps:

Phase 1A, finished in January 2025, focused on fixing the state’s financial systems.

The team pulled it off in just 15 months, which is lightning-fast for a government project of this size. They replaced the outdated tools with new software that helps track spending better and faster.

Now, state leaders can make smarter, data-based decisions with real-time reports. That means your tax dollars are easier to follow — and harder to waste.

Phase 1B, which should wrap up later this summer, is focused on human resources. That includes things like payroll and employee records.

Automating those tasks saves time and cuts down on mistakes. It also frees up state workers to focus on real public service, not busywork.

Built on Conservative Principles

The CORE.NV project checks a lot of boxes for folks who believe in limited, efficient government.

Fiscal responsibility? Absolutely.

By getting rid of slow and wasteful processes, the state is saving money and making sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. It lines up with Governor Lombardo’s Government Modernization and Efficiency Act (SB 431), which passed in 2023.

Less bureaucracy? Yep.

The project makes it easier for businesses and residents to get things done without jumping through hoops. That means fewer delays, less paperwork, and a smaller, more focused government.

Transparency and accountability? You bet.

The new system makes it easier to track where money is going. That helps keep elected officials honest and gives voters a clear picture of how their money is being spent.

In fact, the state’s approach lines up well with a similar effort at the federal level. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently launched a Cost Efficiency Initiative aimed at cutting waste in federal contracts.

Nevada’s project is showing how states can lead the way on that same mission.

What’s Coming Down the Line

After the HR systems are updated, Nevada plans to launch a “One Nevada” portal, a single website where people can access different state services all in one place.

Other state agencies like the DMV and Department of Taxation are also being modernized. Together, these efforts are creating a government that works better, faster, and smarter.

That’s good news for anyone who’s ever had to stand in a long line at the DMV or wait months for a government form to be processed… so, everyone.

Points of Contention

Of course, not everyone is sold. Some critics worry about the cost to keep these new systems running or whether rural communities will have the same access.

It’s true — big tech projects can run into trouble if they’re not managed carefully.

But so far, CORE.NV is hitting its targets and staying on schedule. That’s more than can be said for many government projects.

The Takeaway

Nevada’s CORE.NV project may not be making national headlines, but it should be.

It’s a quiet success story — one where government is actually working to get smaller, faster, and more efficient.

If this keeps up, other states might just start asking Nevada how they did it.