May '10 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Signs Race To The Top Grant Application

Education is the intellectual infrastructure of Nevada’s future

May 27, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today signed Nevada’s Race to the Top grant application and transmitted it to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. Governor Gibbons was joined in the ceremony by State Board of Education Chairman Chris Wallace and Superintendent of Public Instruction Keith Rheault, who were also required to sign the application.

“With all 17 Nevada school districts agreeing to participate in this program, Nevada has a very competitive application,” Gibbons said, “We are partnering leaders in education, government, industry, and economic development to develop an educational system that will provide a stable base of trained, educated and skilled workers for the industries we have and for those we want to host. Partnering economic development and education is the only way to lead Nevada out of the recession and back to prosperity.”

Those attending the signing ceremony included: Chancellor Dan Klaich - Co-Chairman of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Education Reform Task Force, members of the Governor’s Task Force, Miss Nevada USA Julianna Erdesz, and children of all ages who will benefit from the proposed reforms to P-20 education.

“Many have worked together to make this application meaningful by proposing true reform in our schools. This blueprint will lead to the creation of new, long-term, good-paying careers for our children and grandchildren,” Gibbons said.

Race to the Top is a competitive grant program administered through the U.S. Department of Education. Grants are awarded to states based on their plans to improve student achievement and to turn around low-performing schools. Phase I grant awards were given earlier this year. Phase II grant applications are due June 1, 2010, and awards should be announced in early fall.

Nevada Programs Recognized For Excellence

Energy and Weatherization Programs Receive National Recognition

May 26, 2010 – Carson City, NV – The Nevada State Office of Energy (“NSoE”) and the Nevada Housing Division have received letters from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DoE”) commending their efforts at leading the nation by quickly and efficiently infusing federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds (ARRA or stimulus funds) within our communities.

The NSoE is on track to exceed the ARRA program June obligation goals well in advance of the deadline. The DOE added that Nevada is in a small group of states that have 100 percent of their award through the environmental permitting process finished and 75 percent or more of those funds obligated.

“These accomplishments are a testament to your team’s strong planning and management,” DoE State Energy Program Director Mark Bailey said. “DoE applauds Nevada’s State Energy Office for your success and commends your hard work.”

The DoE also announced today that Nevada has weatherized 2,318 homes with stimulus funds. According to the DoE, Nevada is one of the country’s weatherization leaders and has now weatherized more than 30 percent of our targeted homes. Jason Masters, DoE Energy Project Specialist, stated as part of his program monitoring review he “would like to commend the Nevada Housing Division for their continued exemplary work.” He further stated that he was “particularly pleased with the transparency of costs and production among the contractors, subgrantees, and your office.” Due to these accomplishments, the DoE has released the remaining 50 percent of ARRA weatherization funds to Nevada.

“I am pleased the federal government has recognized the hard work of many State of Nevada employees to get the stimulus funds into our communities and create jobs,” Governor Jim Gibbons said, “Oversight of the stimulus funds by my office has been efficient and effective and, as evidenced by the accolades of the Department of Energy, we have been very prompt as well.”

Governor Gibbons praised the efforts of Nevada State ARRA Director Charles Harvey and Energy Director Jim Groth, and as well as the leadership of the Nevada State Housing Division, especially Chief of Federal Programs Hilary Lopez.

The NSoE has allocated $10.5 million to 17 different school districts in Nevada and $7.9 million to 133 different state buildings for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. More than two dozen solar photovoltaic projects are in design or the project bid phase.

The NSoE also launched the Nevada Appliance Rebate Program on April 17 with 10 percent of the funding allocated in 10 minutes. The NSOE issued a total of 15,497 reservations for the program that will award participants up to $200 for replacing an old appliance with an Energy Star model.

Through the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Housing Division converts low-income homes to be more energy efficient, saving most families an average of $437 in energy costs each year. More than 107 weatherization workers were employed using stimulus funds during the first three months of 2010.

For more information about these programs, visit the following web sites:

Nevada State ARRA Office

Nevada State Office of Energy

Nevada Housing Division

Governor Meets With MGM Mirage Officials

Subcontractors to be paid quickly

May 26, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons and his staff met this morning with officials from the MGM Mirage. MGM Mirage is involved in a dispute with Perini Building Company. The Governor met with MGM Mirage Chief Design Construction Officer and CEO of CityCenter Bobby Baldwin and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Alan Feldman.

Governor Gibbons met with Perini officials and several subcontractors last Friday. Perini Building Company and the subcontractors told the Governor they are owed several hundred million dollars for their work at CityCenter. Governor Gibbons is very concerned about the hundreds of subcontractors involved in the dispute. Many of the subcontractors told the Governor last week that they were struggling to keep their doors open because of this dispute.

Today’s meeting with MGM Mirage was very productive. “MGM Mirage leaders have assured me they intend to move as quickly as possible to pay the hundreds of subcontractors who worked on the CityCenter project,” Governor Gibbons said, “I am pleased that my meetings with those involved in this dispute have been productive and that MGM Mirage has assured us they continue to move in a positive direction.”

“We will pay the subcontractors in short order,” CityCenter CEO Bobby Baldwin said, “I intend to pay and pay quickly what they are rightfully owed, it’s the right thing to do.” Baldwin also noted, “Governor Gibbons has done a good job helping in this matter by listening to both sides.” MGM Mirage has set up a meeting with the CityCenter subcontractors on June 9, 2010.

“The subcontractors represent thousands of construction workers in Southern Nevada,” Governor Gibbons said, “I am pleased I am able to help hard working Nevadans get paid for their contributions to this historic project.”