May '10 Nevada Government—U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus Column

Titus Recognizes National Teacher Week

May 5, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor today in recognition of National Teacher Week. Below are her remarks as delivered. Click here to watch Titus’ speech.

“Today I join with people across the country to celebrate National Teacher Week, which recognizes the exemplary and important work that teachers do in classrooms every day.

“Research has shown that a good teacher is one of the most important factors in a student’s academic success, so it is only appropriate that we take time during National Teacher Week to say thank you to these heroes who positively affect so many lives.

“We must also support teachers during these tough economic times by investing in education. I was proud to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which saved more than 1,000 jobs for teachers in Southern Nevada, and the Jobs for Main Street Act, which passed the House and included a $23 billion Jobs for Education Fund.

“With hundreds of thousands of teachers across the country facing potential pink slips because of budget crises at the local and state, I urge my colleagues in both houses to work quickly to support education by saving vital teaching jobs throughout the country.”

Titus Applauds Plan for New
OSHA Office in Southern Nevada

May 4, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District applauded today’s announcement that Federal OSHA will open a new office in Las Vegas.

“I welcome today’s important announcement that Federal OSHA will open a much-needed office in Las Vegas,” Congresswoman Titus said. “It is clear from Nevada OSHA’s record that it has let our workers down. A new office in the region will enable a stronger federal-state partnership that will improve training and support for Nevada OSHA without taking away state control.”

Currently there is no regional OSHA office in Nevada. As one of the fastest growing states in the nation, Nevada has seen a tremendous growth in construction and an unacceptable increase in accidents and fatalities. This growth has led to demands on the state’s infrastructure, including Nevada’s safety and health resources, which have struggled to keep up with demand for services. OSHA’s presence in Southern Nevada will improve services by providing more directed local support for enforcement, technical assistance, and compliance activities to reduce workplace injuries and death.

A number of deaths on the job led to Nevada being the first state in the country to have an in-depth review that highlighted the problems facing Nevada OSHA. This review made it clear to Titus that federal OSHA needs an additional option to work with states that are not meeting federal standards. In response, Titus introduced the Ensuring Worker Safety Act in March. The legislation aims to protect workers by assuring that state OSHA plans are at least as effective as federal standards and enforcement, while protecting states’ rights by giving OSHA options other than withdrawing approval for a state plan when a state plan is found to be underperforming.

“The tragic deaths of too many workers in Southern Nevada highlighted the need to ensure that state OSHA plans are doing their job of protecting workers,” Titus added. “Unfortunately under current law, federal OSHA is left with only two options, both at the extreme end of the spectrum, when it finds state plans that are ineffective. This legislation provides OSHA with an important middle ground so it is not left with the choice of doing nothing or taking the drastic step of terminating a state plan.”