Town Hall Listening Series with Senator Joyce Woodhouse
As your
State Senator, I do want to hear from you, as your input on the challenges
facing Nevada is invaluable. I promise to always take your ideas and
concerns into consideration, as I continue my work during the interim between
sessions of the Nevada Legislature. That is why I am pleased to announce my new
Town Hall Listening
Series. I
hope you can join me for one of the many upcoming town halls, as we address the challenges and opportunities facing
Nevada.
Saturday, June 26th Town Hall: "Government Accountability & Efficiency"
TOWN HALL #1: Location: Mannion Middle School, 155 E. Paradise Hills Drive, Henderson, NV 89002 Time: 11:00am RSVP: Click here
TOWN HALL #2: Location: Burkholder Middle School, 1951 Silver Springs Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89012 Time: 2:00pm RSVP: Click here
As a teacher, principal, and program administrator, I dedicated my
life to making sure that every child had an opportunity to succeed. As
a Nevada State Senator in Clark District 5, I have spent the past three
years fighting to make our schools the best they can be. I want to
hear your ideas about how we can better serve the children of Nevada.
If you can't join us Saturday, I still would love to hear from you. To sign up for my weekly newsletter, click here. To take my 2010 Constituent Survey, and to share your thoughts and concerns, click here.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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) 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.
Senator Joyce Woodhouse and Senator Shirley Breeden
May 12, 2009
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.
It is important that Nevadans are aware of the latest developments. We have one confirmed case in Washoe County and there could be more in the next day.
Nevadans need to know that the state and local government is doing everything it can to protect citizens. There is a lot of helpful information at http://www.health.nv.gov/. But the most important thing people can do is understand the facts. Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person.
Today I saw the future of Nevada’s Green Economy. I went into the community along with several members of the Senate Energy, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee, and toured renewable projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley. What we saw today was both exciting and eye opening.
We first met with members of the Southern Nevada Regional Transportation Commission. Connecting transportation needs and energy conservation is the one of the bold steps Nevada must make towards investing in a green economy. Changing the way people move throughout their day not only conserves valuable natural resources, but also has the potential to improve our quality of life. It was an invaluable discussion and one we look forward to continuing.
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.
As the mother of three and grandmother of three, family is everything to me. I have spent my life ensuring that children were safe and healthy. As a bus dispatcher so long ago, I witnessed firsthand the importance of keeping Nevada’s roadways safe for our children and families. My legislation, SB 136, will do just that. This legislation will prohibit a person from using their cell phone to write, read, or send electronic messages while driving.
It goes without saying that we are in difficult times. Nevadans are facing profound challenges. As unemployment rises above ten percent, Nevada’s families are having to choose between feeding their families and paying for health care for their parents and children. For many Nevada families the only answer to their health care crisis is Nevada Medicaid.
This past Saturday, we held a Nevada Speaks Community Conversation at Greenspun Junior High School in Henderson. We gathered there with our constituents to have an open discussion about the state of Nevada’s education system. Over 60 members of the community took their Saturday to come and talk with us—to share with us their dreams and frustrations about Nevada’s future. Young and old, Democrat and Republican—they joined us in an important conversation about their Nevada priorities, and we cannot thank them enough.
Together we can build a better future. Indeed we must—it is our duty to our children, and their children. We believe it is our moral responsibility to leave this state in better shape than we found it. This Saturday we pledged to work our hardest to make sure we fulfill the promises we have made to the people we represent—to ensure good schools, a clean environment, and a prosperous state for all Nevadans.
As the Nevada Senate Democrats enter the sixth week of the 75th Legislative Session, we will continue to explore the opportunities that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers, ensuring that we maximize available dollars for all Nevadans. I firmly believe that the people of Nevada work too hard for their government to let them down. This is why we are working to maximize every dollar the Recovery Act offers Nevada.
Yesterday, Tuesday, March 10, the Senate Finance Committee held a joint hearing with Assembly Ways and Means Committee to review the current status of ARRA. The hearing further confirmed my belief that as a state we have to seek out bold, new ideas to take advantage of the opportunities the Recovery Act offers, while ensuring our dollars are spent wisely. Our priority is first and foremost to put Nevadans back to work.
Senator Valerie Wiener
March 4, 2008
Today a fantastic event occurred in the Senate Health and Education Committee. Students from across the state stood up and testified on legislation they themselves created, debated, and are now advocating. These students are participants in the Nevada Youth Legislature and they represent the best of Nevada.
The Nevada Youth Legislative Issue Forum was created by the Nevada Legislature in 2007. This Forum is composed of 21 high-school-age students, each appointed by their respective State Senator. Students are selected by a Nevada Senator, with advice from members of the Nevada State Assembly. Most members serve for one year, though they can be re-appointed.
The Green Jobs Initiative- Putting Nevadans Back to Work
The Green Jobs Initiative: Putting Nevadans Back to Work
Senator Steven Horford
Hello,
This past Friday, I was proud to introduce Nevada Senate Bill 152- the Green Jobs Initiative. We have a unique opportunity to put Nevadans back to work and create a cleaner Nevada for our children. Investing in a “Green Job” economy is a two for one – we will create a more stable economy and we will invest in making the planet cleaner and safer for a brighter future. Indeed, it is our moral responsibility to leave this state, and planet, in better shape than we found it and green jobs are an enormous step toward making that a reality.
As we are all aware, Nevada is facing unprecedented economic turmoil and our workforce is suffering as a result. Across the state unemployment has risen to 9.1% and some experts believe it may rise past 11% this year. As foreclosures have risen, our construction and service industries have been harmed. A large portion of the 128,000 unemployed Nevadans come from the construction industry.
Senator Mike Schneider
Chairman of Senate Energy, Infrastructure and Transportation
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I have lived most of my life in Nevada and I love this state. My wife and I raised our only child in this state. He just got married and I couldn’t be more proud to watch him beginning his own family. Thinking of his family and his children makes me determined to make sure Nevada’s future holds promise for him and other families starting out. I believe it is our moral responsibility to leave this state in better shape than we found it. We owe it our children and to their children.
As chairman of the Nevada Senate Energy, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, I promise that we will make renewable a top priority for the legislative session. With a clean energy Nevada, we will not only leave a cleaner and safer planet for our children, but we will also create much-needed jobs here in Nevada.
Senator Maggie Carlton:
Now is the time to protect our neighbhorhoods
Carson City, Wednesday, February 12, 2009 Hello -
When my children were growing up, my neighbors, like my husband and I, were working parents trying to balance taking care of their families and their other responsibilities. In many ways, our neighbors were an extended family. Their children were my kids' first friends. They watched over my home when my husband and I were gone. I love my neighborhood, and the people in it. That is why I ran for State Senate 16 years ago. I wanted to protect my neighbors, my neighborhood and my community. Now I want to protect every neighborhood in Nevada. We owe it to our children.
Requires instruction on financial literacy in the public high schools
SB 317
Sponsored by: Senator Allison Copening BILL STATUS: Approved by the Governor, Chapter 268. Effective July 1, 2009
During this tough economic time that Nevada is facing, it is crucial to make sure that we are teaching our students to practice financial responsibility to guarantee that their generation is better prepared to deal with economic hardships. That is why State Senator Allison Copening (Dist. 6), has proposed Senate Bill 317, which would require the Department of Education to ensure that instruction in financial literacy is provided to pupils enrolled in a public high school in Nevada. A pupil must demonstrate satisfactory completion of the instruction by passing a test before he/she receives a diploma.
As your
State Senator, I do want to hear from you, as your input on the challenges
facing Nevada is invaluable. I promise to always take your ideas and
concerns into consideration, as I continue my work during the interim between
sessions of the Nevada Legislature. That is why I am pleased to announce my new
Town Hall Listening
Series. I
hope you can join me for one of the many upcoming town halls, as we address the challenges and opportunities facing
Nevada.
Graduation commencements are happening all
around the state!
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. 
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.
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. 
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. 
(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 
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.
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!
Today I saw the future of Nevada’s Green Economy. I went into the community along with several members of the Senate Energy, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee, and toured renewable projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley. What we saw today was both exciting and eye opening. 
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.
SENATOR VALERIE WIENER 
gathered there with our constituents to have an open discussion about the state of Nevada’s education system. Over 60 members of the community took their Saturday to come and talk with us—to share with us their dreams and frustrations about Nevada’s future. Young and old, Democrat and Republican—they joined us in an important conversation about their Nevada priorities, and we cannot thank them enough.
Senator Valerie Wiener
Hello - 
