December '09 Nevada Government—U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus Column

Titus Statement on GAO Report on the Cost of Yucca Mountain

December 2, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District released the following statement today on a new report by the General Accountability Office (GAO) that points out the high cost of storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain and finds that it costs less to store waste on-site.

“Today’s GAO report is the latest evidence that plans for Yucca Mountain should be abandoned. The science points to the fact that it is the wrong place to store nuclear waste, and this report points to the high cost of doing so. Not only is it safer to store nuclear waste on-site, but this report makes it clear that it will save taxpayers money as well.

“For years, Nevadans have fought against this disastrous plan to store nuclear waste in our backyard. I have been opposed to it since day one, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Nevada delegation to kill this project once and for all.”

Titus: ‘It Is Critical That We Focus Our Efforts on Creating Good Jobs That Will Put Nevadans Back to Work’

December 2, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor this morning on efforts to create jobs in Nevada and across the country. Below are her remarks as delivered.

“With unemployment at a record high in Southern Nevada, it is critical that we focus our efforts on creating good jobs that will put Nevadans back to work. And that’s why I am proud to have recently joined the new Congressional Task Force on Job Creation.

“This working group will collect innovative ideas and formulate legislation that will put people back to work across the country and get our economy moving again.

“This effort is especially critical to strengthening our economy in Southern Nevada. Creating jobs locally will require innovation in Nevada’s growing industries, such as renewable energy and perhaps a high-speed train, as well as building a stronger national economy that puts money back in the pockets potential visitors who will come to Nevada and boost our travel and tourism industry.

“I look forward to joining my colleagues on this task force in the coming weeks to find real solutions that will create jobs for Nevada and the rest of the country.”

Titus: New Report Highlights Debt
Facing Nevada’s College Students
House Has Taken Steps to Increase
Financial Aid and Lower Costs

December 1, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District highlighted critical steps the House of Representatives has taken to reduce the financial burden on Nevada’s students seeking a higher education. Today, the Project on Student Debt released a report, “Student Debt and the Class of 2008,” providing state-by-state data on the amount of debt college students amassed. Nevada is the ninth ranked lowest-debt state, with an average debt of $17,921. For more information from the report, click here.

“While the debt facing Nevada’s college students is lower than most states, we must continue to take steps that will make a college education more affordable and accessible,” Congresswoman Titus said. “A higher education is vital to the future success of our nation’s young adults, and in order to attract good jobs of tomorrow to Nevada, we must have an educated workforce that is prepared to get the job done. The actions the House has taken this year will go a long way toward lowering the cost of college and reducing the burden on our students and their families.”

So far this year, the House of Representatives has taken a number of steps to bring down the cost of a college education and reduce the amount of debt students and their families face. In September, the House passed the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act reforms the federal student loan system, saving taxpayers $87 billion. Of that savings, $10 billion goes toward deficit reduction and $77 billion goes toward making college more affordable through investments in Pell Grants, college access and completion support programs, and community colleges. The bill also provides Nevada school districts with more than $25 million over two years for school modernization, renovation, and repairs.

On August 1, veterans began receiving college benefits under the new G.I. Bill for the 21st Century. An estimated 2.1 million members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and members of the National Guard, will be eligible for up to four years of education benefits, including stipends for housing and books. Earlier this year, Congress extended those college benefits to all children of service members who have died on active duty since September 11, 2001.

On July 1, a number of new benefits took effect to make college more affordable. Interest rates on subsidized federal student loans decreased from 6 percent to 5.6 percent. This was the second of four annual cuts to this rate, and it will continue to drop until it reaches 3.4 percent in 2011. The maximum Pell Grant for the 2009–2010 school year increased by more than $600 to $5,350, and under the Income-Based Repayment program, borrowers’ monthly loan payments can be capped at 15 percent of their discretionary income.

Finally, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress in February, more than $25 million in Pell Grants have been awarded to students attending schools in Nevada.

Titus Joins Congressional Task Force on Job Creation

December 1, 2009 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District announced today that she has joined the Congressional Task Force on Job Creation. Co-chaired by Representatives Betty Sutton of Ohio and Alcee Hastings of Florida, the task force will generate new ideas that will create jobs, strengthen the economy, and rebuild the middle class.

“With unemployment at a record high in Southern Nevada, it is critical that we focus our efforts on creating good jobs that will put Nevadans back to work,” Titus said. “By forming a working group with that singular task, we will collect creative ideas and formulate legislation that will put Nevadans back to work and get our economy moving again.”

Currently the task force is made up of 20 members with more expected to join.