Ensign, Reid Announce Funds For Head Start Program

 

 

Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid announced a grant today (March 19, 2008) that will help preschoolers lead healthier lives and develop the early skills they need to be successful in school.  A grant for $1,116,236 has been awarded to the Sunrise Children’s Foundation Early Head Start Program in Las Vegas.

 

“Allowing our children every opportunity to develop and thrive, starting from day one, is vital to ensuring that they live healthy lives and have rewarding educational experiences,” said Ensign.  “The services provided by the Early Head Start Program will allow parents the opportunity to facilitate the development and health of their children and that of positive family relationships.”

 

“The Early Head Start Program aims to give Nevada children every opportunity needed to succeed,” said Reid.  “By giving parents choices when it comes to the health and development of their children, the program builds positive family relationships with results that last a lifetime.  I’m glad to know that these children will have a head start in their physical and mental health and development.”

 

The Sunrise Children’s Foundation Early Head Start program provides services to families to promote infant and toddler health and development.  The program seeks to foster positive family relationships and supports parents as the primary decision-makers and nurturers of their children.

 

The funding is administered through the Department of Health and Human Services. The Head Start program is a comprehensive child development program for underprivileged children from birth to age five and their families. While in the program, children receive a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement.

 

Ensign Votes Against Tax-and-Spend Budget

Seniors, Middle-Income Families, Small Businesses Hit With Tax Increase

Senator John Ensign voted against a budget plan this morning (March 14, 2008) that calls for the largest tax increase in American history, fails to address the looming entitlement crisis and expands the size of the federal government.

“I’m disappointed with the Democrats’ tax-and-spend budget,” said Ensign.  “Despite being promised lower taxes, middle-income families, small business owners and many seniors across Nevada will see their tax bills increase by thousands of dollars.  The Democrats’ budget is hypocritical and unfair to those struggling to make ends meet.”

The Democrats’ budget will increase taxes on capital gains and dividends and on marginal income tax rates.  Seniors, on average, will pay an additional $2,200 in taxes under this plan.  The Department of the Treasury estimates that small businesses will see an increase of about $4,100 on their tax bill.  To go along with these tax hikes, the Democrats’ budget increases spending by more than $200 billion.

“For too long Washington has forgotten that it’s not the government’s money,” said Ensign.  “Congress passes one irresponsible budget after another that spends money like we’re swiping a no-limit credit card that belongs to someone else.  The fact is that the American taxpayers foot the bill because it’s their money.”

Treasury’s monthly budget statement shows the February deficit was 46 percent bigger than just one year ago.

“We need to start making tough choices in Washington,” said Ensign.  “We need to make decisions that put our entitlements on a stable financial path, provide real tax relief to those who need it and make our government smaller and more efficient.”

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Ensign Plan Would Put Medicare on Stronger Financial Ground

“The longer we wait, the more it will cost our children.”

 

 

Senator John Ensign offered an amendment today (March 13, 2008) that would put Medicare on stronger financial ground because without action the program threatens to overwhelm our entire federal budget.  Ensign’s amendment would apply a means test to the Medicare prescription drug program and require the wealthiest seniors to pay a larger share of their premiums.

 

“As our nation grows older, the costs of our entitlement programs will continue to skyrocket and continue on a path to completely consume the budget in about two decades,” said Ensign.  “That leaves no funding for national security, transportation or any other priorities.  I’m disappointed that the Democrats’ budget does nothing to solve the problem facing our entitlements.”

 

Under Ensign’s plan, individuals with annual adjusted gross income over $82,000 and couples with incomes over $164,000 would pay a greater share of their prescription drug premium.  For instance, a single Medicare beneficiary with an income between $82,000 and $102,000 would see an increase of only about $10.41 per month.  More than 96 percent of all seniors enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug program would not be impacted at all.

 

“It’s not fair for a young family in Nevada earning $50,000 a year to pay for the prescription drugs of millionaires,” said Ensign.  “This simple proposal would save almost $2 billion in the first five years.”

 

Ensign offered this amendment to the budget, but the Democrats rejected it.  The final vote tally was 42 – 56.  The same means testing concept is already applied to Medicare Part B, which helps cover doctors’ services and outpatient care.

 

The editorial pages of both The New York Times and The Washington Post have expressed support for means testing the Medicare prescription drug program, calling the plan “reasonable” and “worthy,” respectively.  The Post continued, “If Democrats are serious about dealing with healthcare entitlement spending, isn’t it time for them to demonstrate that?”