Berkley Votes To Restore Funding For “Cops” On The Beat

Package Includes Resources for up to 187 New Nevada Police; Technology Grants Will Help Metro, Law Enforcement Agencies with Computer Needs  

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (April 23, 2009) voted in favor of H.R. 1139, COPS Improvements Act of 2009.  The legislation authorizes $1.8 billion for COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) programs over the next five years.

“When law enforcement officers get to know the neighborhoods and families they serve, public safety increases and our communities benefit.  These grants will help fund up to 187 new police officers for Las Vegas and other Nevada cities at a time when budgets are extremely tight and some types of crime are on the rise.  Metro and other law enforcement agencies are also eligible for technology grants through the COPS program to help purchase lap top computers and other crime fighting tools,” said Berkley.         

The bill passed by the House this afternoon reinvigorates the COPS program, which was initiated during the Clinton Administration, by authorizing $1.25 billion per year for hiring grants.  The funding will enable communities to hire 50,000 new cops on the beat over the next five years. 

The bill authorizes $1.25 billion per year for hiring grants, which can be used for such purposes as hiring officers to engage in community policing, serve as School Resource Officers, or engage in counter-terrorism duties.  It also reinstitutes the Troops-to-COPS Program (which lapsed in 2005), which awards grants to hire former members of the Armed Forces as career law enforcement officers.

In addition to the hiring grants, the bill also authorizes $350 million a year for the next five years for technology grants.  These grants will allow police agencies to purchase things like laptop computers for patrol cars, crime mapping software, and interoperable communications equipment. 

Berkley Calls For Talks On Fontainebleau Project On Las Vegas Strip

Congresswoman Concerned by Reports That Banks May Halt Lending for Resort; Pens Letter to Treasury Secretary Warning of Job Losses

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is calling on Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and other financial institutions to sit down with the management of the Fontainebleau resort on the Las Vegas strip and reach agreement on continued financing for the project.  As one of the largest construction projects in the United States, Fontainebleau employs thousands of Nevadans and is vital to the economic health of the Las Vegas Valley.  Berkley’s efforts follow reports last week that lending institutions were considering withholding financing for the project even though they had already signed contracts to fund on-going construction work.  Berkley also sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner this morning outlining the impact that job losses would have on Southern Nevada’s economy and questioning continued problems with credit markets.   

 “I encourage Bank of America and other major lenders and the management of Fontainebleau to work together to find a way to keep thousands of Nevadans on the job and this vital project moving forward.  The loss of a construction project of this magnitude, along with the jobs that would be created once it opens, would be a devastating combination punch for Las Vegas at a time when our economy is already reeling,” said Berkley.  “This is a property that sits at the very heart of the Las Vegas Strip, and along with CityCenter, is one of the largest construction projects currently underway in the U.S., so we need the banks and the resort’s management team to reach an agreement.  I am very hopeful that these financial institutions, which have helped to build Southern Nevada’s economy in the past, will again commit to investing in the future of the Las Vegas Valley and the families who are depending on projects like Fontainebleau.”         

In her letter to Secretary Geithner (available upon request), the Congresswoman highlighted the potential impact on Nevada should work stop on Fontainebleau as a result of credit being withdrawn.  The letter also raises concerns that financial institutions that have received billions in federal funding under the TARP program are now refusing to make credit available for large projects in Nevada and elsewhere.  In the case of the Fontainebleau, the banks involved had already signed agreements to provide $800 million in funding, before backtracking on the agreements late last week.

 “The whole situation is even more disconcerting given the fact that Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and certain other lenders named in the suit have received tens of billions of dollars of federal bailout money meant to ease credit flow.  Clearly, backing out of existing commitments to lend money to projects that by all measures appear sound is a move in the wrong direction,” the letter states.  

 “If the commercial lending market does not improve I am concerned that Nevada’s current unemployment rate of 10.4% could rise dramatically and the very character of Las Vegas could be permanently damaged.  Given the hundreds of billions that have been invested to free up credit markets, I wonder when we can expect the situation to improve.  Bear in mind, Mr. Secretary, that tens of thousands of jobs depend on projects in Las Vegas during the construction phase alone, not to mention the thousands of people who will be employed in these facilities when they open,” the letter states. 

 “I am urging all parties to enter into discussions as soon as possible to try to rectify the situation.  I would ask you to examine this case closely given the impact on Southern Nevada and its 1.5 million residents.  While the Fontainebleau is one of the largest projects currently under construction, it is reflective of countless other projects around the country that are suffering with the lack of available commercial lending,” the letter states.  

Berkley Votes To Strengthen Hate Crimes Legislation

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (April 29, 2009)  voted to expand the definition of hate crimes and to provide law enforcement officers and agencies with enhanced tools to prosecute these crimes through The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  The House passed the legislation this afternoon by a vote of 249 to 175.

 “This bill provides Metro and other local law enforcement officers with better tools to stop hate crimes and to go after those who commit these terrible acts,” said Berkley.  “Strengthening the definition of a hate crime to include those targeted because of gender or sexual orientation will help law enforcement do its job, while also sending a message of support to victims and their families,” said Berkley.  “Those targeted by hate crimes deserve the same protections as anyone else and this legislation will help to ensure that justice is available to all victims of crime, not just a select group.”                

Under current law, the federal government can only investigate hate crimes motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion or national origin. The hate crimes prevention legislation extends federal jurisdiction to hate crimes motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.  The legislation provides assistance to state and local law enforcement to streamline the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.  The bill, however, does not limit First Amendment rights of free speech and religious expression and only applies to bias-motivated crimes of violence.

A similar bill passed the House with 237 votes in the last Congress, but was held up by the threat of a veto.  The current bipartisan legislation is supported by a broad coalition, including more than 300 law enforcement, religious, women’s advocacy, civil rights and disability rights organizations.

Berkley Votes To Prioritize Veterans’ Programs, Energy Independence, Education, Healthcare in 2010 Budget 

Package Includes Tax Relief and Deficit Reduction  

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today voted in favor of a 2010 budget package that seeks to increase investments in clean energy, healthcare, education and America’s veterans.  The plan cuts taxes, trims the deficit, and focuses on creating jobs and strengthening the economy in Nevada and nationwide. 

 “This budget is a blueprint for strengthening the economy in Las Vegas and nationwide by making the right investments for our future, cutting taxes and reducing the deficit.  Our package lays the groundwork for boosting clean energy production -- including more solar and wind -- and for expanding access to affordable healthcare for million of American families,” said Berkley.

In addition, the package provides an 11.7 percent increase in veterans’ spending and allows Congress to provide funding for VA medical care a year in advance.

 “I am extremely proud that we are honoring our commitment to America’s veterans with a budget that increases funding for VA care and other services by more than $5 billion over last year.  In total, we are dedicating more than $53 billion in this package to meeting the needs of veterans in Southern Nevada and across our nation. This includes more funding for the VA to research and treat post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other mental health issues,” said Berkley.

Clean energy and healthcare reform efforts will also see a boost under the budget supported by Berkley.

 “Investing in clean power sources like solar and geothermal will not only create new jobs, it will increase America’s energy security by increasing our energy independence,” said Berkley.  “Our budget also includes more resources to help educate students for careers in the new economy and to increase access to affordable healthcare for families, which will also help our businesses stay competitive,” said Berkley.

The budget package approved by the House cuts taxes on American families and will reduce the deficit by nearly two-thirds by 2013.