February '09 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

Economic Recovery Package Will Create New Jobs, Increase Clean Energy And Deliver Needed Tax Relief To Nevada Families

“Legislation an Historic Investment in Nevada and the Nation”

Calling the package an historic investment in Nevada and the nation, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today voted to pass a broad economic stimulus package that will deliver tax relief to 95% of Americans, invest in clean energy and create millions of new jobs nationwide. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed the House on a vote of 246 to 183.

“We are making an historic investment in Nevada and our nation with this recovery package and the result will be new jobs, more clean energy, safer roads and lower taxes for 95% of all Americans. That is why our bill has the strong backing of police, teachers, businesses, seniors and others who all agree we must act now to strengthen America’s economy and to help struggling families in these tough times,” said Berkley.

“Funding provided in this bill will also help Nevada meet the needs of our State when it comes to Medicaid, education and unemployment assistance. There is also more than $200 million for Nevada roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. I cannot say this package is the answer to every problem our economy faces, but I am very pleased that it includes vital resources for the Silver State and valuable tax relief for the families and businesses that call Nevada home,” Berkley said.

TAX RELIEF

“The ‘Making Work Pay’ tax credit will mean more money in the pockets of 950,000 Nevada taxpayers. Under our plan, 95% of all Americans will see a tax savings of up to $400 per individual or $800 per married couple,” said Berkley. “Parents with children will also save as a result of enhancements to the child tax credit and earned income tax credit. The bill will also help businesses to quickly recover the costs of new investments, while also providing assistance to companies looking to reduce their debt burdens. Businesses that hire unemployed veterans are also eligible for special tax incentives that will help cover job costs.”

CLEAN ENERGY AND GREEN JOBS

“Southern Nevada’s solar potential, coupled with our State’s geothermal and wind resources, can make Nevada a leader in the use and production of clean energy. Our stimulus plan will create new, green jobs by making critical investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Berkley. “The energy provisions in this bill will give geothermal and other renewable energy projects planned in Nevada the push they need to get underway. Our package also extends the tax credit for energy-efficiency improvements to existing homes through 2010. This will create new employment opportunities while also conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Berkley.

TRANSPORTATION

“Modernizing and expanding our network of roads and highways will keep Valley traffic flowing, while funding for maintenance will increase safety and ensure that bridges and overpasses pose no danger to drivers or their passengers,” said Berkley. “The Las Vegas Beltway, I-15 and U.S. 95 are all critical components of the Valley’s transportation network. Funding from the stimulus package would be made available for work on this vital network of freeways that serves not only residents and businesses, but also millions of visitors to Las Vegas each year.”

EDUCATION

“Education opens the doors to a lifetime of opportunity. That is why our package increases the Pell Grant by $500 -- a move that will aid 20,000 Nevada students -- and why we have increased the higher education tax credit to a maximum of $2,500, which will mean a savings for 32,000 students in Las Vegas and around our State. The package also includes substantial help for states that are faced with slashing education spending from kindergarten all the way to the university level. Providing Nevada and other states with additional funding to help meet the educational needs of their students is a wise investment that will continue to pay enormous dividends for years to come,” said Berkley.

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

“Record numbers of Americans in Las Vegas and across the U.S. are out of work and in need of this assistance to cover basics like food and rent. Our legislation includes important resources that will extend unemployment benefits for out of work Nevadans as they continue to search for new jobs,” said Berkley. “And at a time of budget shortfalls in Carson City, it’s important to note this additional compensation for unemployed workers comes at no cost to Nevada.”


Economic Recovery Package Contains Vital
Unemployment Extension to Aid NV Families

Increases Assistance, Helps Job Seekers Retain Healthcare

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (February 13, 2009) praised the inclusion of an extension of unemployment benefits and other provisions to aid job seekers in the economic recovery package now before Congress. A vote in the House on The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is expected later today.

As a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley helped to craft portions of the stimulus package that extend unemployment benefits for job seekers in Las Vegas and across the nation.

Provisions to assist unemployed workers in H.R. 1 include:

· Extends Unemployment Benefits

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides up to 33 weeks of federally-funded extended unemployment benefits.

· Increases Weekly Unemployment Compensation

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act temporarily increases unemployment compensation by $25 a week, providing nearly $1,000 in an additional aid for the remainder of this year. Nearly 20 million unemployed workers are projected to benefit from this provision.

· Helps Unemployed Workers Maintain Health Care Coverage

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a 65% subsidy for up to nine months for COBRA premiums for workers. It is estimated this COBRA assistance will help 7 million Americans retain health coverage while they look for work.

Report Shows Broad Economic Recovery Package

Will Mean More Nevada Jobs

Creates, Protects Employment for up to 34,000 Nevadans

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (February 12, 2009) pointed to a new analysis released by the White House showing that the economic recovery package now before Congress could create thousands of new jobs in Nevada and protect employees against new layoffs. A final vote on The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is expected as early as Friday.

“From incentives to increase clean energy production to funding for work on I-15 and the Las Vegas Beltway, this package will mean jobs for Nevada at a time when we continue to face record unemployment levels,” said Berkley. “According to the White House, passage of this legislation will create or save 34,000 jobs statewide, with the majority of those in Clark County.”

The economic recovery package promotes the development of more clean energy and incentives for energy efficiency. Both activities will spur new investments and job creation.

“Southern Nevada’s solar potential, coupled with our State’s geothermal and wind resources, can make Nevada a leader in the use and production of clean energy. Our stimulus plan will create new, green jobs by making critical investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Berkley. “The energy provisions in this bill will give geothermal and other renewable energy projects planned in Nevada the push they need to get underway. Our package also extends the tax credit for energy-efficiency improvements to existing homes through 2010. This will create new employment opportunities, reduce energy costs and help limit greenhouse gas emissions,” said Berkley.

The legislation also invests in infrastructure projects that will put people to work on projects that are also good for Valley motorists and tourism.

Nevada Jobs Created/Protected by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Nevada 34,000

Congressional District 1 9,100

Congressional District 2 9,200

Congressional District 3 11,100

Economic Recovery Package Aims To Create Jobs,
Spur Economic Growth

Invests in Green Energy, Roads & Highways; Help for Nevada Needs

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (February 17, 2009) outlined specific ways The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help Nevada families and small businesses. The legislation, which was signed today by President Obama, is a nationwide effort to create jobs and jumpstart the nation’s economy through investments in clean energy, education, infrastructure and tax relief for 95% of Americans.

Help For Nevada

Ø Creating or saving 34,000 jobs over the next two years. Jobs created will be in a range of industries from clean energy to health care, with over 90% in the private sector. [Source: White House Estimate based on Romer and Bernstein, “The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” January 9, 2009].

Ø Providing a making work pay tax cut of up to $800 for 960,000 workers and their families. The plan will make a down payment on the President’s Making Work Pay tax cut for 95% of workers and their families, designed to pay out immediately into workers’ paychecks. [Source: White House Estimate based on IRS Statistics of Income].

Ø Making 32,000 families eligible for a new American Opportunity Tax Credit to make college affordable. By creating a new $2,500 partially refundable tax credit for four years of college, this plan will give 3.8 million families nationwide – and 32,000 families in Nevada – new assistance to put college within their reach. [Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis of U.S. Census data].

Ø Offering an additional $100 per month in unemployment insurance benefits to 195,000 workers in Nevada who have lost their jobs in this recession, and providing extended unemployment benefits to an additional 40,000 laid-off workers. [Source: National Employment Law Project].

Ø Providing funding sufficient to modernize at least 60 schools in Nevada so our children have the labs, classrooms and libraries they need to compete in the 21st Century economy. [Source: White House Estimate].

In addition, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will transform the nation’s economy by:

§ Doubling renewable energy generating capacity over three years, creating enough renewable energy to power 6 million American homes.

§ Computerizing health records in five years, reducing medical errors and saving billions of dollars in health care costs.

§ Enacting the largest investment increase in our nation’s roads, bridges and mass transit systems since the creation of the national highway system in the 1950s.