| |
| |
|
|
| |
Berkley Applauds President’s Signing Of “Hire” Bill
*** Package Provides Tax Incentives for Employers to Put Nevadans Back to Work ***
March 18, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today applauded President Obama’s signing of H.R. 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act.
“Providing a payroll tax holiday for businesses will encourage the hiring of new workers and the $1,000 income tax credit will mean employees stay on the job. Small businesses that receive these incentives will expand, and that will mean the need to hire more workers. This legislation also extends the Highway Trust Fund and makes it easier for Nevada and other states to borrow for school construction, energy projects and other infrastructure investments,” said Berkley, who voted for the legislation in the House.
The bipartisan HIRE Act includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees. It also includes tax cuts to help small businesses invest, expand, and hire more workers, provisions to make it easier for states to take up infrastructure projects such as school construction and energy retrofitting, and an extension of the Highway Trust Fund that allows for billions of dollars in infrastructure development around the country.
“Incentives such as the payroll tax holiday, a tax credit for retaining workers, and the extension of enhanced expensing for small businesses will all help create conditions for increased hiring and retention of new employees. In addition, the extension for funding for highways and other surface transportation projects will provide employment both today and in the future by continuing the infrastructure investments that are critical to long term economic growth. And finally, the direct payment option for certain tax credit bond programs will enable the Clark County School District—which I represent—to increase school construction and continue to fund essential projects. Nevada and the nation need the jobs and other support provided by this bill,” said Berkley.
Berkley Cheers House Passage Of Latest Unemployment Extension
*** Package Also Blocks 21% cut in Medicare Payments to Doctors ***
March 17, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today cheered swift House passage of a new legislative package that temporarily extends unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies to help Nevada families maintain their healthcare coverage. The bill must still be approved by the Senate, but could be stalled by those seeking to block passage, as happened recently with Senator Jim Bunning.
“This package temporarily extends a helping hand for Nevadans who remain in search of jobs and I hope we do not see another attempt to score political points by threatening to withhold this assistance at a time when our unemployment rate remains in double digits. Without these unemployment benefits, many of our fellow Nevadans would simply be unable to pay the rent or buy groceries for the family or gas for the car so they can look for work. We are also extending assistance that will help cover the cost of COBRA payments so that more Nevadans do not lose their insurance coverage even if they have lost their jobs,” said Berkley.
The package also temporarily blocks a devastating 21% cut in payments to doctors in Las Vegas and across the U.S. who treat Medicare patients. Stopping the cut will protect access to health care services for seniors and members of America’s military covered under TRICARE.
“Nevadans covered under Medicare could find themselves unable to see the doctor if we do not stop these drastic cuts. This legislation protects the ability of seniors, military families covered under TRICARE and other Nevadans to continue seeing the doctor of their choice,” said Berkley. “Unfortunately, this is only a temporary patch that will prevent immediate cuts, but what we need is a permanent fix to fully protect Medicare patients and others and to ensure that doctors are fairly paid for their services.”
Berkley is a cosponsor of legislation that permanently eliminates cuts to the Medicare physician reimbursement rates.
Continuing Extension Act of 2010 Key Provisions
- Extension of Unemployment Insurance Programs—Extends Federal Unemployment Programs, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, through May 05, 2010.
- Extension of COBRA Assistance—Extends eligibility for 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums through April 30, 2010.
- Extension of Medicare Physician Update—Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians (preventing a 21% payment reduction) through April 30, 2010.
- Extension of National Flood Insurance Program—Extends provision through April 30, 2010.
Berkley Highlights Jobs Incentives In New Ways And Means Package
*** Calls for Extension of ‘Build America’ and ‘Recovery Zone’ Bonds ***
March 17, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – At a meeting of the House Committee on Ways and Means today, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today expressed her support for approval of the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2010 (H.R. 4849). The new package seeks to promote job creation and economic growth in Nevada and nationwide.
“This legislation is another strong step toward economic recovery for Las Vegas, for Nevada, and for the nation. The provisions of this bill will spur the creation and growth of small businesses, and help state and local governments make critical, job-creating infrastructure investments that are essential to long term economic recovery,” said Berkley.
The legislation extends the ability for local governments and the State of Nevada to utilize Build America and Recovery Zone bonds to fund infrastructure projects that will spur employment.
“Provisions such as the extension of ‘Build America’ Bonds have been an essential source of funding for critical infrastructure projects in Nevada. This includes more than $450 million in investments by McCarran International Airport, and essential upgrades to water and sewer systems by the Las Vegas Valley Water Authority,” Berkley said. “The Lyon County School District also used ‘Build America’ Bonds to finance the construction of a new middle school in Fernley, Nevada.”
Both the Build America and Recovery Zone bonds provide a low cost means for Nevada and local entities like Clark County to borrow for roads, schools, airport improvements and other infrastructure needs.
“The extension of the ‘Recovery Zone’ Bond program will provide yet another way to get financing for infrastructure projects that will spur economic growth in areas of the country, like Las Vegas, with some of the highest unemployment rates,” Berkley said.
Berkley also highlighted the package’s benefit to small businesses, including incentives to promote employment.
“The incentives and investments made by this legislation will create new opportunities for growth and investment in Las Vegas, and help entrepreneurs build job-creating small businesses. It is critical that this Congress and this Committee continue along the path of job creation through investments in infrastructure and small businesses, and this legislation is yet another example of our focus on these issues,” said Berkley.
Berkley Calls For Quick Approval Of Latest Unemployment Extension
*** Package Also Blocks 21% cut in Medicare Payments to Doctors ***
March 17, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today called for swift passage of a new legislative package that temporarily extends unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies to help Nevada families maintain their healthcare coverage. The bill is expected to be considered by the House later today.
“This package temporarily extends a helping hand for Nevadans who remain in search of jobs and I hope we do not see another attempt to score political points by threatening to withhold this assistance at a time when our unemployment rate remains in double digits. Without these unemployment benefits, many of our fellow Nevadans would simply be unable to pay the rent or buy groceries for the family or gas for the car so they can look for work. We are also extending assistance that will help cover the cost of COBRA payments so that more Nevadans do not lose their insurance coverage even if they have lost their jobs,” said Berkley.
The package also temporarily blocks a devastating 21% cut in payments to doctors in Las Vegas and across the U.S. who treat Medicare patients. Stopping the cut will protect access to health care services for seniors and members of America’s military covered under TRICARE.
“Nevadans covered under Medicare could find themselves unable to see the doctor if we do not stop these drastic cuts. This legislation protects the ability of seniors, military families covered under TRICARE and other Nevadans to continue seeing the doctor of their choice,” said Berkley. “Unfortunately, this is only a temporary patch that will prevent immediate cuts, but what we need is a permanent fix to fully protect Medicare patients and others and to ensure that doctors are fairly paid for their services.”
Berkley is a cosponsor of legislation that permanently eliminates cuts to the Medicare physician reimbursement rates.
Continuing Extension Act of 2010 Key Provisions
- Extension of Unemployment Insurance Programs—Extends Federal Unemployment Programs, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, through May 05, 2010.
- Extension of COBRA Assistance—Extends eligibility for 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums through April 30, 2010.
- Extension of Medicare Physician Update—Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians (preventing a 21% payment reduction) through April 30, 2010.
- Extension of National Flood Insurance Program—Extends provision through April 30, 2010.
NV Energy “Smart Grid” Agreement Latest Example Of How Recovery Act Benefits Nevada
*** New System Will Give Consumers More Options to Better Manage Energy Use ***
March 12, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today welcomed the announcement of a new agreement between utility company NV Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) which will provide $138 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for Smart Grid infrastructure.
“This new smart grid system will not only reduce costs, it will also provide consumers in Las Vegas and other communities with more options to help better manage the energy they use,” said Berkley. “NV Energy’s agreement with the DOE is one more rock solid example of how Nevadans are seeing the benefits of the Recovery Act and what it means to the future of our State.”
The grant agreement with the DOE will enable NV Energy to tap $138 million in ARRA funding for its Advanced Service Delivery (ASD) project. As a result of the grant being awarded, NV Energy will now be able to complete planning for the program, with the goal being installation of advanced service delivery infrastructure throughout Nevada before the end of 2012. The ASD project will provide NV Energy with the Smart Grid infrastructure necessary to reduce operating costs and provide new options for customers to help manage their energy usage.
Berkley Statement On Reid Family
March 12, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today issued the following statement:
“On behalf of my entire family, I wish Mrs. Reid and her daughter Lana a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and get well prayers—like those from all across Nevada and the nation—are with the Senator and all the members of the Reid family today,” said Berkley.
The Congresswoman was able to express her sentiments personally to Senator Reid and Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid in separate calls over the last 24 hours.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The above article is the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of Vegas Community Online, its editors/publishers, and/or other Vegas Community Online columnists. VCO respects the right of each author to express their opinion. If you have an opposing viewpoint or would like to send feedback on any article, please send email to feedback@vegascommunityonline.com; state the title of the article and your comments. VCO reserves the right to add any submissions to its feedback page.
|
|
|
|
