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

The Reid Report—July 22, 2010

Dear Fellow Nevadan,

Nevada families struggling to make ends meet have endured more than their share: after losing their jobs through no fault of their own, they have been forced to wait weeks for an important safety net that was supposed to be there. I have received countless emails, letters and phone calls from Nevadans urging Congress to provide them with assistance in their time of need, which is why I was proud to lead the Senate in passing a long-term extension of unemployment benefits yesterday. This important legislation will help stimulate the economy and assist Nevadans who are struggling to pay the bills and support their families. Please click here to hear my remarks after its passage.

This is welcome news for many families in Nevada and across the nation. But it should have never taken so long to get the support they deserve. I am terribly disappointed that, with the exception of my two colleagues from Maine, Republicans dragged this process out for weeks and weeks. Despite the fact that that Congressional Budget Office reported the money we spend on unemployment benefits will return to us twofold, Republicans repeatedly refused to extend this emergency assistance and then, after they lost the debate and the checks were written, they decided to keep us from putting them in the mail. However, with yesterday's vote, Senate Democrats have outlasted Republicans' delays and emergency assistance for millions around the country who are depending on it to afford basic necessities is on its way.

Last week the Senate passed historic legislation that will protect consumers and taxpayers from Wall Street’s greedy behavior. The recklessness of Big Wall Street banks cost Nevadans their jobs, their homes and their life savings. And when they got into trouble, they came to us asking to bail them out. This week, I had the opportunity to witness an important event that will relieve the grief on Main Streets throughout Nevada and across America: President Obama signing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This legislation will help return Nevada to what it was economically a few years ago, while ensuring that no bank grows too big to fail and that Nevada taxpayers never again have to bail them out. Starting now, big banks on Wall Street will finally be held accountable and middle-class families will be empowered with the information they need to make sound financial decisions for themselves and their families. We’re giving Wall Street the strongest oversight it’s ever had – not to stifle it, but to safeguard us. Without this reform, we would be inviting another economic crisis to happen all over again. That was not a gamble I was willing to take. I will keep fighting to ensure that families in Nevada and across America never again have to pay the price for Wall Street’s reckless, risky behavior.

This week in the Senate we are working to pass legislation that will help small businesses in Nevada and across the country that are struggling to access the capital they need to expand and hire more workers. The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act (H.R.5297) will give small businesses the tax relief and credit they so desperately need to not only weather this economic storm, but to grow and thrive. This legislation targets the unique needs of small businesses through a combination of tax credits, enhancements to Small Business Administration (SBA) lending programs, and initiatives that promote access to capital through community banks and state-run small business lending programs. I have been a longtime supporter of small businesses because they spur innovation, job creation and competition among the global market. We must do all we can to foster the right conditions for entrepreneurs to start and invest in small business and create jobs. The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act will equip small businesses with the tools they need to help sustain both Nevada’s and the nation’s economic recovery.

We have much more work ahead to create jobs, strengthen our economy and support middle-class families. I assure you, I will keep fighting until every worker in Nevada and across America who wants a job has one. As always, thank you for reading this update. Please visit my website, reid.senate.gov, for more information on my work in the Senate.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID
U.S. Senator for Nevada

Reid Statement On Bill To Protect Henderson Neighborhoods From Proposed Sloan Hills Gravel Pit

Citing health and safety reasons, thousands of local residents oppose project

July 21, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry today welcomed the Senate Energy Committee’s approval of his bill to block a round-the-clock gravel operation that has been proposed for a site near established Henderson neighborhoods. The bill would withdraw 800 acres of land near Sloan Hills to make sure no part of that land will ever be used for projects like the proposed gravel pit. Reid introduced the bill at the request of thousands of local residents who contacted him in opposition to the project and are worried about the health and safety impacts of the proposed open-pit operation. At the recommendation of the Bureau of Land Management, the protected area has been expanded from 640 acres to 800 acres to further safeguard the surrounding residential communities.

“This bill is vital to protect families in Henderson and I am pleased that it is moving quickly through the Senate,” said Reid. “The members of the Senate Energy Committee know that this is a priority for me and for the people of southern Nevada. I appreciate their assistance as we work to protect Henderson’s families from a round-the-clock gravel pit that would be just a stone’s throw from established neighborhoods.”

Reid: Democrats Continue Fight To Give Unemployed Nevadans The Safety Net They Deserve

July 20, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following remarks at a press conference today following a cloture vote in the Senate to extend unemployment benefits to millions of Americans. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“You’ve heard us talk for weeks about the importance of extending unemployment insurance for millions of out-of-work Americans.

“You’ve heard us make the moral case for helping those who need it most – people like those I meet in Nevada who desperately try to find work, but until they do, can’t make their house payments and can’t support their families.

“And you’ve heard us make the economic case – that is, every time $1 goes out in unemployment benefits, $1.61 comes back into the economy. It’s a good investment and it speeds up recovery.

“We’ve talked about it for so long because the other side stood in the way for so long.

“Today was the eighth time Republicans overwhelmingly said ‘no’ to America’s unemployed.

“The only difference is that today, we finally had exactly enough Senators who wanted to say ‘yes.’ I’m grateful to Senators Snowe and Collins, and the people of Maine should be proud of their Senators today.

“We’re happy to have Senator Goodwin here, and I know he was eager to cast his first vote as a United States Senator for this urgent, important measure for our nation.

“But it shouldn’t take a supermajority to help families afford the bare necessities while unemployment is rising. It shouldn’t take the slimmest of margins to do what is right.

“We’ve seen our constituents fight through this crisis. They haven’t given up, so we couldn’t give up either. That’s why we kept pushing, and that’s why we’ll keep fighting for them.”

Reid: Nearly 300 Green Jobs Coming To Las Vegas After Amonix Signs Lease

Solar energy company signs lease to produce solar panels in North Las Vegas

July 20, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that solar energy company Amonix, Inc. has signed a lease for a new solar panel production plant in North Las Vegas that will create 278 green jobs for Nevadans. Reid attended the “flipping the switch” ceremony in May and praised Amonix for taking full advantage of a nearly $6 million tax credit in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Amonix offers the perfect example of how the Recovery Act is helping Nevada businesses and the clean energy industry expand and thrive,” Reid said. “Nearly 300 Nevadans will find work in this developing industry that is diversifying our state’s economy so that we won’t fall victim to another economic downturn. I’m pleased that Amonix has signed a lease and will be putting Nevadans to work this year.”

At the “flipping the switch” ceremony in May in Henderson, Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced that 278 permanent green jobs will be coming to the Las Vegas valley at a new solar manufacturing plant, and construction will begin this year. Reid was joined by North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck and officials from the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), Amonix, Inc., TWC Construction, and the Environmental Protection Agency to celebrate the commercial operation of Amonix’s concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar system at the River Mountains Water Treatment Facility. Using a $5.9 million investment tax credit from the Recovery Act, Amonix’s new manufacturing facility will produce 150 MW of solar capacity annually and employ 278 people in management, technical and production jobs. The permanent manufacturing jobs will be well-paying positions that require minimal training for someone who previously worked in a construction industry that has been hard-hit by the economic recession.

Reid Announces Two Appointments To Coordinating Council On Juvenile Justice

July 19, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced the appointment of Judge Deborah Schumacher and Richard Vincent to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice. This independent advisory board works to coordinate federal activities related to juvenile delinquency and missing and exploited children. They also make recommendations to Congress to help improve federal services for adjudicated youth.

“I am pleased to appoint Judge Deborah Schumacher and Richard Vincent to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice,” Senator Reid said. “As a family court judge with more than a decade of experience, Deborah will bring an important perspective to the Council from the thousands of cases she has handled. Richard has been an advocate for children for decades, having worked in Clark County Juvenile Court for and serving as the State Director of Children, Youth, and Families, and his background will be very useful for the Council’s work.”

Judge Schumacher currently serves on the Washoe County Family Court. She is a member of the faculty of the National Judicial College in Reno, and was elected as the President of the Nevada District Judges Association in 2006. Vincent is currently the owner of a small business that provides educational programs for Drug and Alcohol abuse, among other services. He worked in the Juvenile Justice system for decades, serving as the Associate Director of the Clark County Juvenile Court. Richard also directed Nevada’s Office of Children, Youth, and Families in Carson City.

More information about the Coordinating Council can be found here: http://www.juvenilecouncil.gov/about.html.