July'10 Nevada Government—U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Column

Berkley Announces $16.3 Million For Nevada Homeland Security Needs

*** Las Vegas Again Qualifies for Extra Assistance Under UASI Program ***

July 15, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NV) today announced that Nevada will receive more than $16.3 million in federal funding for homeland security needs, including additional dollars to help safeguard visitors to Las Vegas each year.

“As a world famous destination known for its 24-hour entertainment and glittering resorts, Las Vegas draws visitors from around the globe. As a result of these crowds, there’s an added need for resources to help protect our community against threats, including acts of terrorism. This federal funding helps Nevada first responders maintain their capability to react swiftly in the case of an emergency or threat to public safety. In addition to $8.15 million in funding for the Las Vegas Valley under the Urban Area Security Initiative, more than $7.87 million will flow to Nevada under the State Homeland Security Program. These critical investments will enhance the capability of our fire, police and other first responders to stop threats and to respond to any incident involving terrorism or other risks to the safety of Nevada families and Silver State visitors,” said Berkley.

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI): Provides funding to select high-threat, high-density urban areas to assist them in building enhanced and sustainable capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism. Las Vegas has been designated as a city eligible for UASI funding.

Total Funding: $8,150,150

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): Supports the implementation of state homeland security strategies to address the identified planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

Total Funding: $7,868,298

Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS): Enables jurisdictions to further enhance and sustain a comprehensive regional mass casualty incident response capability for response to all-hazards mass casualty incidents, including terrorism, naturally occurring events and large-scale hazardous materials incidents.

Total Funding: $317,419

Berkley Calls For Swift Action By President On Wall Street Reforms Needed To Safeguard Nevada Consumers, Small Businesses

*** Historic Package Increases Transparency and Accountability, Ends “Too Big to Fail” ***

July 15, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today applauded Senate approval of a final package of reforms that will crack down on reckless Wall Street practices and protect consumers in Nevada and nationwide. The approval of the conference report clears the way for President Obama to sign The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173) into law.

“The predatory, greedy and irresponsible actions by some large institutions in the financial markets were a major cause of the worst financial crisis to hit Nevada and the nation since the days of the Great Depression. Now it’s time for the President to swiftly enact these common-sense rules that will police Wall Street and the big banks and prevent them from again placing the savings of Nevada families at risk through reckless investment strategies, including predatory lending,” said Berkley, who voted repeatedly in the House for Wall Street reform.

The bill creates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau -- a new consumer watchdog devoted to protecting Americans from unfair and abusive financial practices -- and establishes a process to shut down firms that are failing before their collapse can put the economy at risk.

“Our legislation creates a consumer protection agency with real teeth and includes other reforms that will hold Wall Street and the big banks accountable, end future bailouts and create true transparency,” said Berkley. “This independent bureau will provide accurate information to families and small businesses so they can ensure that bank loans, mortgages and credit cards are fair and rates are affordable. Making these reforms the law of the land now will stop financial firms that are ‘too big to fail’ before they can threaten America’s economic future and stability once again.”

The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will stop large financial firms from risking retirement and college savings, while also helping prevent the type of financial practices that led to the financial meltdown. The bill establishes a process for shuttering large, failing firms whose collapse would put the entire economy at risk. After exhausting all company assets, additional costs would be covered by a “dissolution fund” paid for with contributions from large financial firms.

The legislation has the endorsement of the AARP, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Council of Institutional Investors, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Restaurant Association and SEIU, among other organizations.

Berkley Continues Fight To Give Unemployed Nevadans An Extra Helping Hand

Challenges Senate GOP to Stop Blocking Extension of Vital Benefits to Help Silver State Jobless with Rent, Groceries, Power Bill

July 14, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today joined her colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee and fellow Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus at a news conference where she challenged Republicans to drop their opposition to an extension of unemployment benefits.

“Senate Republicans have turned their backs on Nevada families who are in search of jobs and in need of a helping hand by denying this extension. I challenge those on the other side of the aisle who are blocking these benefits to go without their paychecks and see how they pay the mortgage and utility bills,” said Berkley. “When I am home in Las Vegas, I hear personally from men and women who have lost a job through no fault of their own and who rely on this assistance to pay the rent and buy groceries while they look for employment. As someone who represents the State with the nation’s highest unemployment rate, I see the faces of those who have never been without work before and the fear in their eyes when they are told no more help is available through an unemployment insurance system that they have paid into for years.”

Berkley pointed to the opposition of Senate Republicans as the number one reason that Congress has been unable to extend unemployment benefits for Nevadans who have exhausted their eligibility. The House, with Berkley’s support, has repeatedly passed legislation that would extend unemployment assistance for the jobless in Nevada and nationwide. Senate Republicans, including Nevada’s John Ensign, last blocked an extension package on June 24, 2010. As a result, Nevadans who had exhausted their benefits were denied additional unemployment assistance at a time when the Silver State continues to struggle with a 14% jobless rate. Nationwide, more than 2.1 million Americans have lost their unemployment benefits since June 5, and the number will grow to three million by the end of July if Congress does not act.