Remember this number: $2 billion.

By Jon Ralston

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Remember this number: $2 billion. That’s the size of the budget hole — and it may be a conservative estimate — that Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio said would confront lawmakers come 2011. $2 billion. That is staggering, but it is the fruit of decisions made this year. Raggio’s remarks came before the Nevada Restaurant Association on Tuesday — he based his prediction on the loss of stimulus money and sunsetted taxes as well as the continuing recession. He also raised questions about the interim tax study, fretting that it may not accomplish what is intended. But whether it is intended to reach a conclusion — we need new taxes, probably on businesses — the hole’s size is not in dispute. $2 billion. Scary.