Drew Johnson Proposes Elimination of Nevada Gas Tax
The state treasurer candidate plans to fund road infrastructure through budget surpluses and lithium tax revenue.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Gambling
Live Poll
Should state treasurers prioritize ESG investments over traditional financial returns for state funds?
Nevada State Treasurer candidate Drew Johnson is campaigning to eliminate the current 23-cent-per-gallon state gas tax. He proposes shifting road funding to rely on state budget surpluses and revenue generated from the lithium tax.
Why it matters
Johnson seeks to improve Nevada's fiscal standing by aiming for a triple-A state credit rating while moving away from the administration's current ESG-focused investment strategy. His platform also addresses looming financial pressures, including the projected 2027 bankruptcy of the Millennium Scholarship program.
The current Nevada gas tax stands at 23 cents per gallon. Meanwhile, the state's Millennium Scholarship program faces a projected bankruptcy timeline of 2027.
The players
Drew Johnson
Drew Johnson is a candidate for Nevada State Treasurer focusing on fiscal policy and investment strategy.
The details
Johnson intends to form a committee comprised of local government treasurers and state investment officials to manage debt repayment strategies. As treasurer, he would also introduce legislation to shift the state's investment mandate toward bonds and other safe securities.
Timeline
2027: The Millennium Scholarship program is projected to reach bankruptcy.
Culture Shift
Johnson's platform reflects a broader push to prioritize traditional fiscal solvency measures over current ESG-leaning investment frameworks. This shift mirrors ongoing debates about whether state treasurers should emphasize political policy objectives or strictly conservative capital management.
If implemented, the elimination of the 23-cent-per-gallon gas tax would directly alter daily transportation costs for Nevada residents. However, the proposed changes to the state's investment strategy could also influence the long-term sustainability of state-funded initiatives like the Millennium Scholarship.
The takeaway
Voters should consider how transitioning from a gas-tax-funded infrastructure model to one reliant on volatile tax revenues and surpluses might impact state service reliability. Johnson's plan to pursue a triple-A credit rating suggests a fundamental shift in how the treasurer's office manages state assets.
Further reading
For additional context on state-level financial policy, visit Nevada Gambling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kolotv.
Live Poll
Should state treasurers prioritize ESG investments over traditional financial returns for state funds?
