Last month, I attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Nevadans called for change this past election, and this occasion highlighted the optimism so many of us feel about our opportunity to make that change real.  I was proud to be a part of the celebration, and it is something I will always remember. Now, as President Obama said in his address, it is time to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work needed to confront the serious problems facing our nation.  It is especially important that we do so in a cooperative, bipartisan manner, which will require not only good will but a genuine willingness to compromise for the greater good.  

President Obama promised swift action and the Congress already is working to bring relief to Nevadans.   Our state feels the pain of this troubled economy more than many, as we have the highest foreclosure rate in the nation and unemployment above the national average. I am working to strengthen our economy by delivering middle-class tax cuts and creating jobs that will help Nevadans provide for their families while strengthening our state for the long term.  At the end of last year, I pushed successfully to extend tax credits for businesses to come to Nevada and develop our enormous solar, wind and geothermal resources.  But we must do much more to promote a clean energy revolution that can revive our state’s economy while helping our nation achieve energy independence.  We also must address our severe housing problems, and make direct investments in job-creating Nevada transportation improvements that will yield long term dividends – while doing everything possible to ensure that all funds are used wisely and transparently, to prevent abuse and ensure full accountability for those involved.

As your senior senator, everything I do starts with Nevada in mind, especially building the priorities for Congress. Already this year, we have passed a lands bill that will prepare our state for future growth and balance our diverse needs. The lands bill provides funding for a variety of important state projects, such as an expansion of the Nevada Cancer Institute in Las Vegas and the creation of an economic hub in Henderson.  
 
Last year, I secured more than $70 million in foreclosure assistance for Nevada, and a major focus of our work this year is helping residents avoid unnecessary foreclosures – not only so they can stay in their homes, but so that their neighbors and communities don’t suffer from declining property values and the blight that often accompanies foreclosures.  I support a 90- day moratorium on foreclosures so homeowners have adequate time to renegotiate with lenders. My colleagues and I also are working to eliminate a provision in our bankruptcy code that unfairly discriminates against homeowners and often forces them from their home unnecessarily (even while others are provided relief from debts associated with fancy yachts and vacation homes).  This law not only is unfair, but it is making our financial crisis worse and hurting our entire economy.  
 
Working with the new president, I am going to push to address these and many other issues that are important to the people of Nevada.  I am committed to doing everything I can to help the people of our state, whether a Las Vegan who is out of work, a Boulder City family struggling to pay for health care, or a growing school in Henderson that needs help to modernize and expand.  As your senator, and as majority leader, I will never forget that my top priority is to put the people of Nevada first.  

Reid Senior Advisor Detailed to Senator Burris

Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced that Senior Advisor Darrel Thompson will be on detail from his office to the Office of U.S. Senator Roland Burris.
 
In a temporary capacity, Thompson will serve as Senator Burris’ Chief of Staff where he will be responsible for filling other senior positions in the office, developing a sound strategy to promote Senator Burris’ forthcoming legislative agenda and establishing constituent services and relations for the people of Illinois. Thompson will continue to hold his position as Senior Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader.
 
 “As the Leader of the U.S. Senate, I will do all that I can to support the success of Senator Burris and that begins with detailing one of my most respected senior staff members,” Reid said. “Darrel’s institutional knowledge combined with his strong relationship with Members and staffs in both the Senate and House, will undoubtedly serve Senator Burris well.”
 
“We have spent the last two weeks evaluating chief of staff candidates and are looking forward to having someone on our team with Darrel's Illinois experience and knowledge and passion for helping solve the important issues facing our state and nation,” Burris said.
 
Darrel has political roots in Illinois having served as the Chief of Staff on Barack Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign.  He also served in several senior positions over a five-year period during Richard Gephardt’s tenure as House Democratic Leader and is a former Financial Services Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) where he was responsible for all political fundraising operations