The hard work and training that is going on at the IBEW training and apprenticeship program is amazing.  This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to meet with the members of IBEW.  We broke bread, ate some delicious fish at the fish fry, and most importantly, we got the opportunity to tour IBEW's apprenticeship training center and the home of the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) of Southern Nevada. The JATC coordinates with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to create local programs that offer training and apprenticeships in the electrical field.  Over the past 68 years, the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee has trained over 350,000 apprentices to journeymen status without cost to taxpayers. At a moment when Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, programs like these are essential in putting Nevadans back to work.

To learn more about the legislation that will make Green Jobs a reality, click here

As many Nevadans know, we have a national treasure in our backyard called Red Rock National Conservation Area.  Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas is the most-visited attraction managed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management.  Red Rock Canyon actually has more visitors each year than the majority of America's 58 National Parks!

It is estimated that nearly one million people from all over the world visit Red Rock Canyon each year.  Visitors include hikers, rock climbers, bicycle riders, marathon runners, bird watchers, and photographers.  Regardless of their varying interests, the primary attraction of Red Rock Canyon to the general public is its incredible display of natural wonders and scenic beauty. 

To learn more about Senate Bill 240, click here

Senator Allison Copening
April 13, 2009

If there is one thing these difficult economic times have taught us, it is an important lesson about the value of financial literacy.  Complex financial decisions play a greater part in adult life than they have been in the past.  It is our moral responsibility to prepare our youth for their adult life, and in these times, that includes basic principles of finance.  That’s why I am sponsoring SB 317, legislation which would require Nevada schools to educate our youth on the basics of navigating the financial system, including managing a mortgage, understanding credit principles, and balancing personal budgets. Senate Bill 317 also provides that a pupil must demonstrate satisfactory completion of the instruction in financial literacy by passing an exam before receiving a diploma.

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams recently highlighted Majority Leader Steven Horsford and his efforts to promote green jobs in Nevada. The unemployment rate in Nevada is expected to reach 11% this year and Senator Steven Horsford is leading the charge to combat that by introducing Senate Bill 152, the Green Jobs Initiative. This bill would not only re-train more than 3,000 workers and create new jobs, but it would also help Nevada become more energy efficient through weatherizing schools and public buildings and installing solar panels.

To watch Senator Horsford on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, Click Here

To learn more about SB152, the Green Jobs Initiative, Click Here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Carson City) – “One of our many jobs as legislators is to balance Nevada’s budget responsibly. That is tough in normal times and we are not in normal times.  Jobs are disappearing, and so are many of the tourist-based tax dollars we have come to depend on. We are at a crossroads. But we must face the future with courage and competence because it is our moral responsibility to leave our children a state in better shape than we found it.”

The Gold Hornaday Award is awarded after three years of conservation oriented work and is a national award few receive.  "John Lee is a living example of what we are trying to teach our youth to become, model citizens and wise stewards of our environment," said Phil Bevins, Scout Executive of the Las Vegas Area Council.  "Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time.  Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of Scouting."

Legislators started the planning process today to ensure Nevada qualifies for as much money as possible under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"This is going to be quite a Herculean task," said Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley. "Legislators would need to replace much of the governor's proposed budget cuts in order to qualify for millions in federal funds."

Testimony revealed that the state would have to restore education funding to its 2007-2008 level and maintain those levels going forward, requiring not only restoring budgets cut by Governor Jim Gibbons, but maintaining funding at the higher level through the 2009-2011 biennium.

To meet that federal condition would require an infusion of $436 million in state dollars to the university and community college system. Restoring cuts made by Governor Gibbons in the K-12 system would require $116 million in state funds, with additional funding required to maintain education spending at 2007-2008 levels through the 2009-2011 biennium.
 
"The hearings today confirmed that the federal recovery money would not solve our state's budget crisis, as some have said," Buckley said. "But the funds do present an opportunity to supplement some of our key budget shortfalls and create thousands of new jobs in Nevada – some as soon as 90 days after the recovery bill passes."

"We need to start now so we have a strategic approach to investing these dollars. We intend to set benchmarks and accountability to ensure this money puts our economy back on track," said Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford. "We must ensure this money goes to the Nevadans and schools that need it most.

"We need to work hard to utilize as much stimulus money as we can, which will lead to some tough decisions and changes to the governor's budget," Horsford said. "But we don't want to lose the money allocated to Nevada."

Under the current version of the Senate bill, Nevada would receive $1.3 billion in recovery funds.

The largest amount of money coming to Nevada – an estimated $509.8 million – would be the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to local school districts and public colleges and universities. Nevada also could receive an estimated $200 million in transportation funds.

But several state agency heads told legislators today that Nevada probably wouldn't qualify for millions in health care and education funds under the budget cuts proposed by the governor. The stimulus money requires states to maintain funding at current levels in order to qualify for the additional federal funds.

The recovery bill also contains millions to train workers and create jobs. The Las Vegas Sun reported today that Nevada could reap between 36,000 and 62,000 new jobs under the plan.

Horsford and Buckley have already outlined a plan to create job training centers throughout Nevada to train workers on how to weatherize homes and make public buildings more energy efficient. The initiative would create jobs and save low-income families money on energy costs.

Most important we need to focus on economic recovery efforts. The people we represent are hurting and want to know that we have a plan." -- Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford
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