April '10 Nevada Government—U.S. Senator Harry Reid Column

Reid Statement On Education Grant For Nevada’s Lowest Achieving Schools

$23.4 million in Recovery Act funds to assist schools, put students first

April 15, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today released the following statement after Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced that $23.4 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will start being distributed to improve Nevada schools with persistently low achievement or graduation rates:

“In light of budget cuts to education throughout Nevada, this funding cannot come soon enough,” Reid said. “Graduation rates below 60 percent are simply unacceptable. School Improvement Grants funded through the Recovery Act will provide much-needed resources to allow persistently low-achieving schools to turn things around. I commend the Obama administration for taking a bold approach to education that will benefit Nevada students. Providing them with the best education possible is our obligation and will help strengthen our state’s economy.”

Reid Meets With Nevada Delegates From The National Association Of Manufacturers

April 15, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid met yesterday with Nevada delegates from the National Association of Manufacturers to discuss issues regarding exports, infrastructure investment, and growing the economy. In attendance were ICOR International Vice President Milton Cuevas, Harley-Davidson Motor Company Government Affairs Manager Michael Richards, Click Bond Federal Representative David Peyton, and Mark Bescher, Director of Government Relations at the National Association of Manufacturers.

“I share the concerns of Nevada’s workers and manufacturers during this difficult economic time,” Reid said. “I will continue supporting legislation to grow America’s economy by investing in clean energy jobs, improving infrastructure and increasing exports of manufactured goods. When we help our manufacturers excel, it translates into success for the economy of the entire state.”

Nevada Senator Harry Reid meets with Nevada delegates
from the National Association of Manufacturers.

Reid: Administration Demonstrates Commitment To Las Vegas With New FEMA Site

April 14, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a new Pre-Positioned Equipment Program (PEP) site in Las Vegas to support first responders in disaster operations. The Las Vegas PEP site is one of ten such sites in the United States and was strategically selected because of the city’s airport and major transportation access that permit rapid deployment.

“I thank the Obama administration for its commitment to a more secure Las Vegas,” Reid said. “With this new PEP site, first responders in Las Vegas will have many resources, from communications equipment to medical supplies, to quickly and efficiently respond to a disaster should one ever occur.”

Reid: Democrats Committed To Cleaning Up Wall Street, Republicans Fighting For Business As Usual

April 14, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today following a bipartisan meeting with President Obama and other Congressional leaders regarding Wall Street reform:

“Every day, I hear from Nevadans who lost their savings and their economic security because of the greed and excess on Wall Street that put our economy on the brink of collapse. Middle-class families are hurting and they want us to make sure that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated. That’s why Senate Democrats, led by Chairman Dodd, are working to reform Wall Street. Our proposal ensures that the reckless behavior that harmed our economy never happens again; that our financial system works for all Americans—not just rich Wall Street executives; and that we will bring accountability and transparency back to our financial system.

“Our bipartisan meeting today with President Obama represents another opportunity for Republicans to help us end this latest era of irresponsibility on Wall Street. I have been disappointed by the public statements of some of my Republican colleagues opposing our efforts to reform Wall Street. So far, the only solution that Republicans have offered is to support the same policies that got us into this mess that put millions of Nevadans and Americans at risk.

“While Republicans are standing up for hedge fund managers and big banks, Democrats are protecting Main Street from the excesses of Wall Street. We’re committed to putting an end to the business as usual, and we urge Republicans to work with us to clean up Wall Street.”

Reid Celebrates Grand Opening Of Red Rock Visitor Center

April 10, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today was joined by members of Nevada’s congressional delegation and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Bob Abbey for the grand opening of the new Red Rock Visitor Center. The $23.1 million building was constructed as a result of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act and replaces the old visitor center that opened in 1982 to serve 20,000 visitors per year; today, more than one million people visit Red Rock.

Reid passed legislation in 1990 to establish Red Rock Canyon as a National Conservation Area and introduced the Clark County Lands bill in 2002, which expanded the area to its current size of just under 200,000 acres. The building, which includes solar panels and outdoor exhibits, shows the importance of reducing our impact on the environment.

“The new Red Rock visitor center is a beautiful new facility that will educate people on the desert and the ecosystem,” Reid said. “It will also help us teach our children about renewable energy and energy efficiency. I’m proud to have worked with Bob Abbey and the entire BLM staff to preserve this natural treasure that’s unique to Nevada.”