Senator Bernice Mathews
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P.O. Box 7176
Reno, NV 89510
Phone: (775) 663-2086
Representing Senate District 1 in Washoe County, Senator Bernice Mathews is a nurse and health sciences professional. She first got elected to the Nevada State Senate in 1994 and served as the Assistant Minority Leader in 2007. In the 2009 session, Senator Mathews served as the Co-Chair of the Committee on Finance.
Graduation commencements are happening all
around the state!
I want to congratulate the students at the
College of Southern Nevada and Nevada State College for finishing up their
classes, and for their hard work in the final stretch of their current college
careers! Your dedication is paying off
as you are recognized with diplomas and congratulations from family and
friends.
Most importantly, these students now have
an education that allows them to confidently follow their dreams. A great education is about empowerment, and
it should be within everyone's reach. I
always keep in mind that the backbone of personal success is education. These students are now ready to succeed outside
the classroom, and I can't wait to see the great things they will offer to the
State of Nevada!
The Nevada Conservation League Endorses Senator Joyce Woodhouse
Woodhouse has been a leader protecting Nevada's Environment and Quality
of Life
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2010
(Las Vegas) - Today, the Nevada Conservation
League endorsed Joyce Woodhouse for the Nevada State Senate. Citing her "dedication to service," the
organization endorsed Woodhouse "for demonstrating a shared vision of our
conservation values." Senator Joyce
Woodhouse (Clark, District 5) is seeking re-election to represent the greater
Henderson area for a second term in the State Senate.
Legislative Effort Led by Senator Joyce Woodhouse
has the potential to bring significant resources to Nevada's schools
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
(Las Vegas)
-- Today, crucial legislation enabling Nevada to compete for up to $175
million in Federal "Race to the Top" Education Funds was signed into
law. The legislative effort, led by
Senator Joyce Woodhouse, removes language that would have prevented Nevada from
applying for the competition. As chair
of the Legislative Committee on Education, Woodhouse led the bi-partisan effort
to remove the language.
Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 88 Endorses Tammy Peterson for State Senate, District 8
Lifelong Nevadan is the Leader Nevada's Working Families Deserve
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2010
(Las Vegas)
-- Today, the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 88 endorsed Tammy Peterson
for the Nevada State Senate, District 8.
Sheet Metal Workes Union Local 88 represents over 2,200 members in
Southern Nevada.
The Nevada Faculty Alliance Endorses Tammy Peterson for State Senate, District 8
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 4, 2010
(Las Vegas) - Today, the Nevada
Faculty Alliance endorsed Tammy Peterson for State Senate, District 8. The
Alliance, which represents higher education faculty and professional staff at
all eight institutions of the Nevada System of Higher Education, announced that
its 15-member state board voted unanimously to endorse on the recommendation of
its Southern endorsement committee. The
state board's endorsement cited her "independent thinking" and her
commitment to "preserving and building our System of Higher
Education" as the "key to Nevada's future."
As we all know, Nevadans are facing difficult times. I understand the struggles Nevada's families
are facing. I have neighbors who have
lost their homes and friends and family members who have lost their jobs. I understand that in order to build a better
state for future generations, we have to get Nevada's economy back on
track.
I believe that we must face this current challenge with
courage, dedication and competence, as Nevadans always have. On Saturday, February 13th, over 600 Nevadans
came to the Legislative town hall to share their stories, their concerns, and
their visions for Nevada's future. We
heard from small business owners, teachers, parents, veterans, and
seniors. To each Nevadan that took the
time to join us at the town hall, I want to express my sincere
appreciation. For those that were unable
to join us, I want to hear from you.
Benny Yerushalmi Announces Candidacy for Senate District 9
Businessman Pledges Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2010
(Henderson) - Today, local businessman Benny Yerushalmi
announced his candidacy for the Nevada State Senate, District 9. A lifelong Nevadan, Benny Yerushalmi is the
son of immigrants who came to Las Vegas in 1972 with very little except the
desire for a better life. Four decades
later, Benny works side by side with his family managing their growing small
business-a business that has been an active part of the Las Vegas community and
today provides jobs for over 120 Nevadans.
Benny attended Clark High School in Las Vegas and was the first in his
family to graduate from college.
Majority Leader Horsford's Response to the State of the State
Majority Leader Steven Horsford
February 8, 2010
Good evening and
thank you for listening. I'd like to speak to you for a few minutes not
solely as Majority Leader of the State Senate but as a Nevadan, a husband and
father of three young children. We just heard from the Governor what WE
know all too well. Our State, the nation, and indeed the world, have been
facing enormous challenges. Many
Nevadans have endured previously unimaginable hardships.
Every one of us,
or someone close to us, has felt the impact of declining value in our homes.
Some of our neighbors have lost their homes altogether. We all know someone who
has lost a job, his or her life savings, and health insurance.
Leg Leaders Call for Special Committee Hearing on Qualification for “Race to the Top” Federal Funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
(Las Vegas) - Today, Senator Joyce Woodhouse, Chair of the Legislature's Interim Committee on Education, and Assemblywoman Debbie Smith called for a special committee hearing, scheduled for Friday, December 11, to review the current barriers for Nevada's application for "Race to The Top" nationwide competition and identify solutions to removing those barriers. The "Race to the Top" competition is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The competition is meant to spur innovation in the states to raise student achievement. Through this program, Nevada could compete for up to $175 million in federal grant funds.
Assemblyman pledges to build a better future for all Nevadans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009
(Las Vegas) - Today, at the Latin Chamber of Commerce, Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen announced his candidacy for State Senate District 10 (Clark County).Assemblyman Kihuen was first elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2006 and served with distinction since. He has been a community organizer, college recruiter, and is currently a Community Liaison for the College of Southern Nevada. During his three years in office, Ruben has voted to increase the penalties for domestic violence, for more money and higher standard for schools and teachers and to give small business low-interest loans when they want to expand their workforce.
Sheila Leslie Announce Candidacy for State Senate - Washoe District 1
Lifelong Advocate for Nevada's Children, Youth and Families will bring Proven Leadership to Nevada Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 2, 2009
Reno, NV - Today, Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie announced her candidacy for the Nevada Senate, Washoe District 1. Leslie has served with distinction in the Nevada Legislature since 1998, most recently as the Majority Whip of the Nevada Assembly. Leslie is well known for her courageous leadership on behalf of Nevada's citizens who are most in need.
One of my favorite memories of being a first grade teacher in the Clark County School District has been seeing the excitement and anticipation that builds up in young students before Halloween. All over Nevada, children have been preparing for weeks as to how they will spend their Halloween night, and more importantly, what their costume will be. Although this is a time of fun and celebration, parents and children must be reminded of the safety hazards they can encounter on Halloween night.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of its new maintenance facility. My participation in this ceremony was especially important to me, because I am a Veteran myself, having served in the United States Air Force from 1967-1971. I was joined by Senators Woodhouse and Breeden, and all three of us were equally impressed by the efforts underway to make sure the grounds of the cemetery, where so many of our Nevada Veterans are laid to rest, are kept in good condition. The event reminded me of the importance of paying proper respect to the Veterans who have made endless sacrifices, so we can enjoy the freedoms and rights we hold so dear.
Legislative leaders pledge to take action on recent OSHA report
Oceguera and Horsford say Legislative Commission will appoint working group on Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009
Las Vegas, NV - Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera pledged today that the Nevada Legislature will conduct a thorough review of the findings of a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report that found serious deficiencies in the Nevada OSHA's workplace safety inspection and enforcement programs.
This past Saturday, October 3, I was joined by neighbors and friends for my Campaign Kick-Off at Silver Springs Park in Henderson. Together, we knocked on hundreds of doors in my district to learn what matters most to the residents of Senate District 5. With the enthusiasm and support of these wonderful volunteers, I will return to Carson City to continue to fight for Nevada's families.
IFC Subcommittee Announces Process for Forming the Nevada Vision Stakeholder Group
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 21, 2009
(Las Vegas) - The Nevada Legislature's Subcommittee to Conduct a Review of Nevada's Revenue Structure moved forward today with two key elements to evaluate the adequacy of Nevada's revenue structure to meet the state's future needs and set strategic goals for improving the state's quality of life.
Last week, Nevada took a huge step toward providing full rights to all of its citizens. From August 24 to September 24, Nevada couples, gay or straight, who are wishing to register as domestic partners, can pre-file their declaration with the Secretary of State to receive their state certificate on October 1, 2009, the day the new law takes effect. As the primary sponsor of the Domestic Partnership legislation, Senate Bill 283, this is a very proud moment for both myself and the state of Nevada.
Tammy Peterson Announces Candidacy for Senate District 8
Local Attorney and Former Prosecutor pledges to be the Leader our Children Deserve
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 10, 2009
(Las Vegas) - Today, Tammy Peterson, local attorney and lifelong Nevadan, announced her candidacy for the Nevada State Senate, Clark County Senate District 8. Peterson will challenge incumbent Barbara Cegavske for the seat, located in central Summerlin. Peterson is a partner at Jones Vargas, Chartered specializing in civil litigation. A former prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit with the Clark County District Attorney's office before joining Jones Vargas' litigation division, she has taken over 30 jury trials to verdict, civil and criminal. She is also a former law clerk to the Honorable Philip M. Pro, of the United States District Court, District of Nevada.
Recently, there have been many reports in the news on the dangers of texting while driving. Three new university studies, two from Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute and one from the University of Utah, show that texting while driving is much more dangerous than talking on a cell phone while driving.
As your State Senator and a mother of three and grandmother of three, I find these statistics especially startling. This is why I introduced Senate Bill 136 in the 2009 session of the Nevada Legislature. This legislation would have prohibited a person from using their cell phone to write or read electronic messages while driving.
Las Vegas Sun
By: Richard N. Velotta, In Business reporter
July 31, 2009
When the Nevada Legislature convenes in 2011, it will be without seven longtime lawmakers who can’t serve anymore because of term limits.
One of those who won’t return is state Sen. Terry Care, a Las Vegas Democrat who finally got to enjoy the benefits of being in the majority in his final term after years in the minority.
(Las Vegas) Rarely, in Nevada, when talking about education, do we take time to applaud what's working. Today, the Las Vegas Sun, did just that by featuring the astounding accomplishments of Valley High School in their article, "A High School's Leap from So-so to Special." Recently, Valley was designated a "high-achieving turnaround" school under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. One of the school's most noticeable turnarounds is that an astonishing 80% of all juniors passed the state math proficiency exam this year, whereas five years ago more than half of all juniors failed to pass the test. This incredible turnaround could only have been achieved through hard work, ingenuity, and determination. Applause may be few and far between when it comes to this state's educational system, but today I applaud Valley High School for steering their school onto a path of excellence. With this achievement, they have raised the bar for all of us.
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to waive tuition and certain fees for certain members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their spouses and dependents
SB 148
Sponsored by: Sen. Hardy, Sen. Amodei, Sen. Breeden, Sen. Care, Sen. Cegaske, Sen. Coffin, Sen. Copening, Sen. Horsford, Sen. Mathews, Sen. McGinness, Sen. Nolan, Sen. Parks, Sen. Raggio, Sen. Rhoads, Sen. Schneider, Sen. Townsend, Sen. Washington, Sen. Wiender, Sen. Woodhouse BILL STATUS: April 11, 2009- Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed Existing law authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to charge tuition to students who are not bona fide residents of Nevada and to charge certain fees to students who are bona fide residents. Existing law also authorizes the Board of Regents to waive certain fees for a member of the Nevada National Guard or a recruit for the Nevada National Guard.
This bill expands the waiver of fees for a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States. This bill also authorizes the waiver of certain fees and tuition for a widow, widower or dependent child of a person who is killed while serving in the Nevada National Guard.This bill also authorizes the waiver of tuition for a dependent child of a person who sustained a permanent partial disability while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Senator Bernice Mathews
Graduation commencements are happening all
around the state!
(Las Vegas) - Today, the Nevada Conservation
League endorsed Joyce Woodhouse for the Nevada State Senate. Citing her "dedication to service," the
organization endorsed Woodhouse "for demonstrating a shared vision of our
conservation values." Senator Joyce
Woodhouse (Clark, District 5) is seeking re-election to represent the greater
Henderson area for a second term in the State Senate.
(Las Vegas)
-- Today, the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 88 endorsed Tammy Peterson
for the Nevada State Senate, District 8.
Sheet Metal Workes Union Local 88 represents over 2,200 members in
Southern Nevada.
(Las Vegas) - Today, the Nevada
Faculty Alliance endorsed Tammy Peterson for State Senate, District 8. The
Alliance, which represents higher education faculty and professional staff at
all eight institutions of the Nevada System of Higher Education, announced that
its 15-member state board voted unanimously to endorse on the recommendation of
its Southern endorsement committee. The
state board's endorsement cited her "independent thinking" and her
commitment to "preserving and building our System of Higher
Education" as the "key to Nevada's future." 
As we all know, Nevadans are facing difficult times. I understand the struggles Nevada's families
are facing. I have neighbors who have
lost their homes and friends and family members who have lost their jobs. I understand that in order to build a better
state for future generations, we have to get Nevada's economy back on
track. 
Good evening and
thank you for listening. I'd like to speak to you for a few minutes not
solely as Majority Leader of the State Senate but as a Nevadan, a husband and
father of three young children. We just heard from the Governor what WE
know all too well. Our State, the nation, and indeed the world, have been
facing enormous challenges. Many
Nevadans have endured previously unimaginable hardships. 
(Las Vegas) - Today, Senator Joyce Woodhouse, Chair of the Legislature's Interim Committee on Education, and Assemblywoman Debbie Smith called for a special committee hearing, scheduled for Friday, December 11, to review the current barriers for Nevada's application for "Race to The Top" nationwide competition and identify solutions to removing those barriers. The "Race to the Top" competition is a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The competition is meant to spur innovation in the states to raise student achievement. Through this program, Nevada could compete for up to $175 million in federal grant funds.
(Las Vegas) - Today, at the Latin Chamber of Commerce, Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen announced his candidacy for State Senate District 10 (Clark County).
Reno, NV - Today, Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie announced her candidacy for the Nevada Senate, Washoe District 1. Leslie has served with distinction in the Nevada Legislature since 1998, most recently as the Majority Whip of the Nevada Assembly. Leslie is well known for her courageous leadership on behalf of Nevada's citizens who are most in need.
One of my favorite memories of being a first grade teacher in the Clark County School District has been seeing the excitement and anticipation that builds up in young students before Halloween. All over Nevada, children have been preparing for weeks as to how they will spend their Halloween night, and more importantly, what their costume will be. Although this is a time of fun and celebration, parents and children must be reminded of the safety hazards they can encounter on Halloween night.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of its new maintenance facility. My participation in this ceremony was especially important to me, because I am a Veteran myself, having served in the United States Air Force from 1967-1971. I was joined by Senators Woodhouse and Breeden, and all three of us were equally impressed by the efforts underway to make sure the grounds of the cemetery, where so many of our Nevada Veterans are laid to rest, are kept in good condition. The event reminded me of the importance of paying proper respect to the Veterans who have made endless sacrifices, so we can enjoy the freedoms and rights we hold so dear.
Las Vegas, NV - Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera pledged today that the Nevada Legislature will conduct a thorough review of the findings of a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report that found serious deficiencies in the Nevada OSHA's workplace safety inspection and enforcement programs.
This past Saturday, October 3, I was joined by neighbors and friends for my Campaign Kick-Off at Silver Springs Park in Henderson. Together, we knocked on hundreds of doors in my district to learn what matters most to the residents of Senate District 5. With the enthusiasm and support of these wonderful volunteers, I will return to Carson City to continue to fight for Nevada's families.
Last week, Nevada took a huge step toward providing full rights to all of its citizens. From August 24 to September 24, Nevada couples, gay or straight, who are wishing to register as domestic partners, can pre-file their declaration with the Secretary of State to receive their state certificate on October 1, 2009, the day the new law takes effect. As the primary sponsor of the Domestic Partnership legislation, Senate Bill 283, this is a very proud moment for both myself and the state of Nevada. 
(Las Vegas) - Today, Tammy Peterson, local attorney and lifelong Nevadan, announced her candidacy for the Nevada State Senate, Clark County Senate District 8. Peterson will challenge incumbent Barbara Cegavske for the seat, located in central Summerlin. Peterson is a partner at Jones Vargas, Chartered specializing in civil litigation. A former prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit with the Clark County District Attorney's office before joining Jones Vargas' litigation division, she has taken over 30 jury trials to verdict, civil and criminal. She is also a former law clerk to the Honorable Philip M. Pro, of the United States District Court, District of Nevada.
Recently, there have been many reports in the news on the dangers of texting while driving. Three new university studies, two from Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute and one from the University of Utah, show that texting while driving is much more dangerous than talking on a cell phone while driving. 
When the Nevada Legislature convenes in 2011, it will be without seven longtime lawmakers who can’t serve anymore because of term limits.
(Las Vegas) Rarely, in Nevada, when talking about education, do we take time to applaud what's working. Today, the Las Vegas Sun, did just that by featuring the astounding accomplishments of Valley High School in their 
