NEVADA RECEIVES $33 MILLION FOR KEY MILITARY PROJECTS
Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid secured $33 million in the Defense Authorization bill for military construction projects around Nevada. The bill, which passed the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) this past Thursday, allocates funds for modernization, maintenance and training efforts at Nellis Air Force Base, Fallon Naval Air Station, Hawthorne Army Depot and for Nevada's Air National Guard in Reno.
The funding includes $11.46 million for modernizing and enhancing the Fallon Range Training Complex, $4.95 million for an air control training facility at Nellis Air Force Base, $5.2 million for a vehicle maintenance complex for the Nevada Air National Guard in Reno and $11.8 million for a ground water treatment plant at Hawthorne Army Depot.The bill will now move to the Senate floor for consideration. The House passed their version of the Defense Authorization bill on May 11, 2007.
IMMIGRATION REFORM DEBATE CONTINUES IN THE SENATE
Last Thursday, the Senate continued its debate of the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Reform Act of 2007.
The chamber rejected (by a vote of 48 to 49) an amendment offered by Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) that would have allowed state or local government entities to question individuals about their immigration status if the officials had probable cause to believe that they lack legal status. In addition, an amendment by Senator David Vitter (R-LA) that would have removed the provision allowing illegal immigrants to become legalized citizens and an amendment offered by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) that would have terminated the guest-worker program after five years both failed.
The Senate adopted an amendment by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) that would require applicants for the new “Z” visa to pay state and federal back taxes, including penalties and interest owed for any year of employment for which the period for assessing a deficiency has not expired.
Debate on the bill will continue following the Memorial Day Recess, with consideration of outstanding amendments, including one by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that would require voters to present photo identification to be eligible to vote in federal elections.
NEVADA ONE OF SIX STATES AWARDED FUNDING TO HELP IMPROVE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
Nevada was recognized for its commitment to increasing high-quality educational opportunities for school age children when it became one of only six states to receive an award from The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center). Competitive grants of $20,000 were awarded to Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico and New York.
The awards, made as part of the NGA Center's initiative, are designed to support development, adoption and implementation of state policies that lead to more high-quality public charter schools.
These funds will help governors and their state teams develop and implement policies that:
- Increase the number of states with charter school laws that promote the development of more high-quality charter public schools
- Improve the implementation of state charter laws
- Increase public understanding of charter schools, especially among low-income communities and communities of color
- Increase the number of charter schools in high needs communities.
This initiative is made possible with support from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement's National Charter School Program, the NGA Center, and the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute (CSC).
