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

Titus Supports DISCLOSE Act to Increase Transparency and Disclosure of Campaign Spending

June 24, 2010 – Washington, DC – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District voted today in support of legislation to increase transparency and disclosure of campaign spending. The DISCLOSE Act addresses loopholes created in a recent Supreme Court decision that opens the floodgates to unrestricted special-interest campaign spending.

“The passage of this bill is a victory for the American people and a blow to the special interests that seek to influence elections with their deep pockets and shady front groups,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Without this important legislation, corporations and interest groups will be able to work in the shadows pouring limitless amounts of money into campaigns in an effort to drown out the voices of individuals. The thought of BP or bailout recipient AIG secretly dumping millions of dollars into fly-by-night groups set up to influence elections is unacceptable to the American people. With these strict new disclosure rules, people will finally know who is paying for campaign ads. Free speech is a hallmark of our nation, and the DISCLOSE Act does nothing to infringe upon that right; it simply shines a light on corporate and special-interest group spending in elections.”

As a response to the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the DISCLOSE Act implements a number of provisions to increase transparency and the disclosure of campaign spending. The DISCLOSE Act:

Prevents government contractors with over $10 million in contract money from making independent expenditures and electioneering communications;

Prevents TARP recipients from spending money on elections;

Limits foreign influence in American elections by extending prohibitions on campaign contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals to domestic corporations;

Requires disclosure for broadcast ads referring to a candidate in the 120 days before the general election, an expansion from the previous 60 day disclosure rule;

Requires corporate CEOs to appear on camera to say that he or she “approves this message;”

Strengthens donor disclosure of political expenditures by corporations, unions, and 504(c)(4)s, (6)s, and 527s; and

Requires lobbyist disclosure of political expenditures.

The DISCLOSE Act is supported by a number of public interest reform groups such as Common Cause, Democracy 21, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and Campaign Legal Center.

Titus Statement on Approval of State Plan for Hardest Hit Funds

June 23, 2010 – Washington, DC – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District applauded the Obama administration’s approval of Nevada’s state plan to use $102.8 million for foreclosure prevention. Titus, whose office was one of the first in the country to help homeowners fight foreclosures on an individual basis, has long called on the administration to do more for states such as Nevada that have been hit the hardest by the foreclosure crisis.

“The administration’s approval of this plan is a critical step forward that will make much-needed funds available to help families stay in their homes. As ground zero for the foreclosure crisis, District Three has been particularly hard hit and in need of these additional resources,” Congresswoman Titus said. “I am pleased that the Nevada plan incorporates provisions that I recommended to best address this crisis that has devastated our community. Using these funds for mortgage forgiveness and the reduction of principal will help provide short-term assistance and long-term stability. While these funds will make an impact here in Nevada, I will continue my efforts to fight on behalf of homeowners who have been ignored or taken advantage of by the banks that have contributed to this housing crisis. Every day my office receives calls from families in District Three who are scared of losing their home. It is critical that the state moves swiftly to implement this important plan and put these funds to work. With too many families at risk of losing their home, we don’t have a moment to lose.”

Under the Nevada plan approved by the Obama administration, the state will create a mortgage modification program using a combination of forgiveness and forbearance with the goal of reducing principal to less than 115 percent of loan-to-value and lowering payments to 31 percent of debt-to-income. The state will also offer assistance to reduce and eliminate second liens with earned forgiveness over a three-year term. Additionally, the state will provide allowances for appraisal and transaction fees, moving fees, a legal allowance for up to three months, and a combination of incentives for borrowers and services to facilitate short sales.

Titus Introduces Bill to Help States More Effectively Plan for Security Threats

June 22, 2010 – Washington, DC – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District and a member of the Homeland Security Committee introduced legislation Monday that will help states plan for security threats and better prioritize the allocation of homeland security grants. H.R. 5563 requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete annual risk assessments for each state in conjunction with state and local officials.

“This legislation is about making sure communities, such as Las Vegas that face certain risks, have the information and data they need to best use vital homeland security funding,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Ensuring the safety of Southern Nevadans as well as the millions of visitors who come to Las Vegas every year is critical to our economy and tourism sector. By increasing transparency in FEMA and coordination between federal and local officials, Las Vegas and cities across the country will continue to refine and improve their safety and emergency preparedness. Las Vegas, like many other cities, faces unique challenges and threats, and this legislation will help FEMA understand our specific needs and more effectively administer these programs.”

H.R. 5563 will provide state and high-risk urban areas with critically important threat data that will allow them to plan appropriately for identified risks. It will also further the Department of Homeland Security’s goal of prioritizing homeland security grants according to risk, as recommended by the 9/11 Commission. The Titus legislation comes in response to a 2009 FEMA report that identified concerns with risk assessment efforts for the Homeland Security Grant Program. H.R. 5563 addresses the report’s finding and recommendations by requiring that FEMA improve transparency of its risk assessment process and coordinate with state and local governments.

Under H.R. 5563, FEMA is required to complete an annual assessment of each state’s relative threat of, vulnerability to, and consequences from acts of terrorism in order to better inform the allocations of the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Titus Statement on Nevada Unemployment Numbers

June 18, 2010 – Washington, DC – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District released the following statement today on Nevada’s new unemployment numbers.

“Pulling Nevada out of the deepest recession in a generation will not be easy. We inherited an economic crisis that was deeper than anyone anticipated and solving this challenge will take time. Meanwhile, with so many Nevadans unemployed, it is critical that Congress pass an extension of unemployment benefits to help them weather this economic storm. I supported this effort in the House, and I encourage the Senate to act quickly.

“Turning Nevada’s economy around and creating jobs must continue to be our top priority. That is why I have worked hard to cut taxes for Nevada’s families and the small businesses that are so vital to economic growth. Today’s unemployment numbers provide further evidence that we must continue to pursue policies to diversify Nevada’s economy such as investments in renewable energy that will bring good jobs to our state.”