Nevada’s struggling economy has put tremendous pressure on our families and businesses, so this week I have moved the U.S. Senate to start working on The Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Because these problems are so severe, we must act quickly. At the same time, I recognize that every dollar in this plan belongs to American taxpayers, so we must ensure transparency and accountability are key elements of this plan. I believe this plan, which is the result of a bipartisan effort by the White House and countless economists, represents our best chance at improving our economy. Putting our economy back on track is my top priority, and I look forward to working with President Obama to create meaningful solutions to Nevada's problems.

This legislation strengthens our economy now and invests in our future by creating good-paying jobs, cutting taxes for working families and making responsible investments in our future.   By investing in a clean energy revolution that will make Nevada the leader in renewable energy, we will create thousands of jobs in the Silver state and tens of thousands nationwide.  We will create even more jobs by rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges and modernizing our rail and mass transit systems. (continue reading below)

Here are some of the details of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

CREATING JOBS

* Invests in the construction of transmission lines connecting Nevada’s wind, solar and geothermal plants to the country’s electrical grid

* Invests in the construction and repair of our roads, bridges and mass-transit systems

* Creates jobs building state-of-the-art classrooms, research labs and libraries

* Provides money for local law enforcement to hire more police officers

* Invests in job training that Americans will need to succeed in the 21st Century economy

Spurs investment and job growth by giving small businesses tax incentives

HELPING WORKING FAMILIES

* Cuts taxes for 95% of American workers. Our tax credits of $500 per worker or $1,000 per couple will go directly into Americans’ paychecks so they get the money

right away.

* Addresses the housing crisis by rewarding first-time homebuyers with additional tax relief

* Makes college more affordable by giving families tuition tax credit

IMPROVING OUR SCHOOLS

* Invests $880 million in Nevada’s schools through Education Block Grants

* Saves teachers’ jobs and invests in school construction

PROVIDING HEALTH CARE

* Provides funding for prevention efforts

* Invests in Health I.T., which saves money and makes our health care system more efficient

* Funds community health centers

* Increases funding for job training for health professionals, helping to address Nevada’s nursing shortage

* Extends funding for COBRA for those who lose their job and health insurance

What a week we’ve had here in Washington, D.C. Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, and hundreds of Nevadans were here with me to witness history. One Nevadan, Rosa Mendoza, a hard-working English teacher from Las Vegas, even had the opportunity to join President Obama and Vice President Biden on their “Whistle Stop Tour” from Philadelphia to Washington, just a few days before the inauguration.

President Barack Obama’s inaugural address reminded us that no matter how daunting our challenges may seem, we must work together to overcome them and strengthen our state and our nation.

The millions who came together, lining our National Mall for miles and miles, were not merely observers to this memorable day.  They were participants, ready to work with our new President in service to a common cause.

The United States Senate is ready join our new President to answer that call to service as well.  That’s why we were back in session, just a few short hours after the swearing-in.  Faced with some of the great challenges of our lifetimes, there is no time to waste.

The Senate ended the week by passing The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which ensures that workers receive equal pay for equal work, regardless of their gender, race, religion, age or disability. Women who work full time earn about 77 cents for every dollar earned by men who do the same job, and this legislation provides workers the opportunity to correct this injustice.

I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans alike as we address the challenges facing Nevada and our nation. Thank you all for reading this update. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

We Must Answer the Urgent Call for Action and Pass Economic Recovery Plan

Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. Senate before voting for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will create millions of new jobs, provide tax relief for the middle class and invest in our future.  Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“In the mid-1830s, the legendary inventor Samuel Morse was in pursuit of funds to build infrastructure for the first telegraph, connecting Washington, DC, with Baltimore.  Morse had the misfortune of campaigning for funds when the economic downturn known as the Panic of 1837 hit.  In 1843, the country’s economy had recovered and Morse received a grant of $30,000 from Congress to build his line – not an insignificant sum at the time.
 
“Some opposed public funding for the new invention.  But once the wires connecting the two cities were laid, our country’s communications structure was changed forever.  What started as a government investment became a major private sector enterprise – creating thousands of jobs and new opportunities to connect people and ideas.  If that sounds familiar, it is exactly what created one of the greatest economic opportunities of our lifetime – the Internet.
 
“Throughout our history, the federal government has catalyzed a good idea, invested in the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of the American people, and let the private sector flourish.  Faced with an economic crisis today, we have an opportunity to make similar investments that will help our country prosper in the years to come.  We can save and create up to four million jobs, provide tax relief to working families, and lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity with investments in schools and infrastructure.”
 
“Last night, President Obama brought his case for his economic recovery plan directly to the American people.  He clearly explained that no new President relishes the thought of starting an Administration with a major investment of public funds to clean up the economic mess left by the previous Administration.
 
“Not one Member of Congress or one single American family relishes the difficult choices left for us to make.  But with the growing likelihood that this crisis will grow into what the President termed a possible catastrophe, the worst decision would be indecision.  
 
“The President spoke yesterday in the City of Elkhart, Indiana, a place where unemployment has risen to a nationwide high of 15.3 percent. In Nevada, the latest figures have surpassed 9 percent, with no signs of retreat. The people of Elkhart understand that our economy will not turn around overnight.  The people of Reno, Carson City and Las Vegas have patience for the tough choices and hard days still to come.  But the American people have no patience for a Congress that points fingers, drags its feet or fails to act.
 
“It is not common for the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the AFL-CIO to all join together in support of legislation.  But each of these organizations understands how important it is for us to pass this bill
 
“Yesterday evening, the United States Senate took a major step toward doing so by voting 61-36 to lift a filibuster and move forward to a vote.
 
“Now, we move to final passage of President Obama’s plan.  But our work does not end there.  We must move swiftly with our colleagues in the House of Representatives to complete work on this legislation and send it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.
 
“The time for debate on this legislation was productive, but it is now over.  With common sense as our compass, we must now answer the urgent call for action.

Reid Delivers Floor Statement On Las Vegas Tourism

Nevada Senator Harry Reid today (February 11, 2009) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about his conversation with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel regarding President Obama’s remarks concerning trips to Las Vegas by financial services companies and their employees.  Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery.

“M. President, at his prime-time press conference Monday night, President Obama made a compelling case for passing his economic recovery plan.

“During the question and answer period, the President made remarks concerning trips to Las Vegas by financial services companies and their employees. 

“I have spoken with President Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, about the President’s remarks.  He made it clear to me that the President’s criticism was aimed at the potential use of taxpayer funds for junkets, and in no way reflects his thoughts about any one particular city.

 “President Obama has been to Nevada twenty times.  In fact, he just accepted my invitation to visit again this spring, for the first time as our president.

 “The President knows that Las Vegas is America’s premiere destination to do business.  The city has more than 140,000 hotel rooms and tens of thousands of feet of meeting space.

 “As all Americans spend less as a result of our economic crisis, it is important to know that Las Vegas, with an average hotel daily rate of $119, is one of America’s most affordable cities to visit.  That is one reason why nearly 6 million people came to Las Vegas to attend more than 20,000 meetings and conventions last year.

 “President Obama and I agree that every penny of taxpayer funds must be protected.  We also agree that Las Vegas is one of America’s great destinations for tourists, families and businesses.”