|
Nevada Must Use All Options To Help Unemployed
Republicans support accepting stimulus money for unemployment benefits
For Immediate Release
Contact: Heidi Gansert
775-684-8837
March 27,2009
Carson City—Earlier today the Republican Assembly Caucus voted to support legislation authorizing Nevada to seek and accept the full federal allotment of unemployment benefits offered through the federal stimulus package. Nevada's total spending on unemployment benefits for this year is expected to surpass $1 billion, with Nevada likely needing to borrow from the federal government to cover some of these costs. Accepting the stimulus money will help Nevada reduce and delay the amount it may need to borrow. Nevada has not borrowed from the federal government since 1974.
One in ten Nevada workers is unemployed, Lyon and Nye Counties are experiencing the highest rates at 15% and 13% respectively.
“Nevada’s workers are trying their best to deal with unprecedented joblessness. There’s 15% unemployment in my district. We as legislators must do all we can to help. By accepting this extra federal money, we will help families across Nevada make it through these difficult times,” said Assemblyman Tom Grady from Lyon County.
Assemblyman Ed Goedhart from Nye County said, “Residents in my district are struggling just to put food on the table each month. I will do everything I can to help them make it through this incredibly challenging time. This federal money will help ensure Nevada’s families receive the assistance they need and it will also help our state work through its own budget crisis.”
The Nevada legislation will help get money into unemployed workers’ hands sooner. Federal stimulus dollars will replace all state funds required for the additional benefits and will increase solvency of the state fund by covering and prefunding state costs.
###
Republican Assembly Caucus:
State Government Needs to be Accountable to Taxpayers
For Immediate Release
Contact: Heidi Gansert
March 5, 2009
775-684-8837
Carson City—With the economy in an ongoing, unprecedented decline and Nevada residents and businesses facing this harsh reality on a daily basis, members of the Nevada Republican Assembly Caucus today reaffirmed that state government needs to manage its budget difficulties in a prudent and accountable manner.
Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert said, “Every component of our economy, private and public, has been negatively affected during these dire economic times. We as legislators must remain mindful of the financial hardships and exercise prudence as we move forward with the budget process.”
“The current state and worldwide economic downturn illustrated by the following headlines represents just a small sample of the adverse impact on Nevada’s families. The private sector is making responsible and cautious decisions. Other government entities and labor groups are working together carefully and wisely in their fiscal planning. We in state government must be willing to show similar discipline, fiscal restraint, and adaptability,” added Assemblyman Tom Grady, member of the Assembly Taxation Committee and former Mayor of Yerington.
“We need to continue to work to reform state government and best manage the taxpayers’ dollars,” concluded Gansert.
|