THE SIXTEENTH DAY
Carson City(Tuesday), February 20, 2001
Senate called to order at 11:06 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Roll called.
All present.
Prayer by the Chaplain, Reverend Louie Locke.
The Scripture tells us that, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to give praises to His Name, to declare His loving kindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night”.
Lord, we do give you praise and thanksgiving for today, for Your goodness, Your loving kindness, Your mercies which are new every morning. Let us ever be reminded of Your goodness and Your love.
I pray Your blessing on the people of this Senate. May their hearts and decisions be guided by You. Give them strength, health and wisdom in these days.
In the Name of the Most High God, I pray.
Amen.
Pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
Senator Raggio moved that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with, and the President and Secretary be authorized to make the necessary corrections and additions.
Motion carried.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Madam President:
Your Committee on Government Affairs, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 95, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Re-refer to the Committee on Finance.
Ann O'Connell, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly Chamber, Carson City, February 19, 2001
To the Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed Assembly Bills Nos. 24, 32, 33, 78, 98.
Patricia R. Williams
Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
By Senators Mathews, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington, Wiener; Assemblymen Leslie, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 12—Recognizing February 20, 2001, as Girls and Women in Sports Day in Nevada.
Whereas, The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, the Women’s Sports Foundation and the YWCA of the U.S.A. joined together to celebrate the 15th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day in Washington, D.C., on February 7, 2001; and
Whereas, National Girls and Women in Sports Day is commemorated to acknowledge the history of women in sports and to recognize current athletic achievements by women, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports; and
Whereas, National Girls and Women in Sports Day began in 1987 as a day to remember and honor Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and her commitment to ensure equality for women’s sports, and that day has been observed each year since then to celebrate the accomplishments of all women athletes and to increase awareness of the obstacles yet to be overcome to achieve equality of women in sports; and
Whereas, The history of girls and women in sports is rich and long, yet there has been little national recognition of the significance of the athletic achievements of girls and women; and
Whereas, Girls’ and women’s athletics, at all levels, is one of the most effective avenues available through which girls and women in the United States may develop self-discipline, initiative, confidence and leadership skills regardless of their background; and
Whereas, The bonds built between girls and women through athletics help to break down the social barriers of racism and prejudice, and the communication and cooperation skills that are learned play a key role in the athlete’s contributions within her home, at work and to society in general; and
Whereas, A need exists for increased opportunities for girls to participate in and pursue physical activity at the community and scholastic level to increase their health and well-being on a daily basis so that they are able to develop lifelong fitness habits at an early age; and
Whereas, The theme for this year, “No Stopping Us Now,” recognizes the growth in the number of athletic opportunities open to women since the enactment of Title IX in 1971, when 1 in 27 girls in high school participated in athletics and the average college spent less than 2 cents per dollar of the athletic budget on women; and
Whereas, The theme “No Stopping Us Now” illustrates the focused commitment to increase the recognition of female athletes and to increase further the number of girls and women who participate in sports in the future; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the members of the Legislature join the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Pack PAWS (Promoting and Advancing Women in Sports), and Girl Scouts of Northern Nevada in celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 20, 2001; and be it further
Resolved, That the residents of the State of Nevada are hereby urged to observe National Girls and Women in Sports Day in Nevada by recognizing the important role athletics play in the development of young women and by supporting athletic programs for girls and women on the local and national level throughout the year.
Senator Mathews moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Mathews.
Senator Mathews requested that her remarks be entered in the Journal.
Thank you, Madam President. We have a number of guests with us today honoring women in athletics in Nevada. The University of Nevada, Reno, has produced a number of athletes over the years. In golf, we have Patty Sheehan, a member of the Hall of Fame. We have a number of Olympic swimmers who have attended the University. I am proud to be associated with a university that has produced such great women.
Resolution adopted.
Senator Mathews moved that all rules be suspended and that Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 12 be immediately transmitted to the Assembly.
Motion carried unanimously.
Senator Mathews moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 11:32 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 11:38 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
Senator O'Connell moved that Senate Bill No. 95 be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
Remarks by Senator O'Connell.
Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
By the Committee on Government Affairs:
Senate Bill No. 200—AN ACT relating to local governmental financial administration; expanding the purposes for which a city may pledge and use the proceeds of the tax imposed on the revenues from the rental of transient lodging; clarifying the manner in which the City of Reno may invest money realized from the sale of bonds and use the interest received from such investments; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Government Affairs:
Senate Bill No. 201—AN ACT relating to local government finance; requiring a local government that desires to loan money from one fund to another fund or to another local government to make certain determinations at a public hearing; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Government Affairs:
Senate Bill No. 202—AN ACT relating to state financial administration; revising the requirement of financial reporting by the state controller; changing the designation of certain funds and accounts; requiring new and transferring state employees to authorize the direct deposit of their payroll checks as a condition of employment; making various changes relating to warrants of the state controller; requiring the state controller to present funds in annual financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Government Affairs:
Senate Bill No. 203—AN ACT relating to taxation; authorizing the boards of county commissioners of at least two counties to levy an ad valorem tax to pay the costs of operating a regional facility; exempting ad valorem taxes levied to pay the operating costs of certain regional facilities from the limitation upon revenue from ad valorem taxes; requiring an administrative entity created to operate a regional facility that receives revenue from ad valorem taxes levied to pay the costs of operating the regional facility to establish a fund for such revenue; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Taxation.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 204—AN ACT relating to substances; revising the definition of the “manufacture” of a substance to eliminate the exception for preparation or compounding of a substance for personal use; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 205—AN ACT relating to education; authorizing the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction and the boards of trustees of school districts to consider certain criminal proceedings and to inspect certain sealed records for the purpose of licensing, employment or discipline of personnel; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 206—AN ACT relating to health care; requiring the department of human resources to establish certain programs for respite services; authorizing the department to award a grant to a person to operate certain programs established by the department; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 207—AN ACT relating to public welfare; requiring the department of human resources to establish a program for the provision of medical assistance to certain working persons with disabilities who are ineligible for Medicaid; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senator Rawson:
Senate Bill No. 208—AN ACT relating to public dental health; providing for the appointment of a state dental health officer and a state public health dental hygienist; establishing their duties; providing for the authorization of a person to practice public health dental hygiene; making appropriations; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Commerce and Labor:
Senate Bill No. 209—AN ACT relating to workers’ compensation; revising certain provisions governing eligibility for compensation for stress; allowing an employee who is injured or who contracts an occupational disease outside this state to receive compensation from the uninsured employers’ claim fund; removing the requirement that certain claims which are pending appeal and which have not been stayed must be paid in installments; revising certain provisions governing eligibility for reopening a claim; revising the provision governing the reduction of compensation for a permanent total disability when compensation in a lump sum for a permanent partial disability has already been paid; eliminating the requirement that a delay in payment of compensation must be unreasonable for administrative penalties to apply; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Townsend moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Commerce and Labor:
Senate Bill No. 210—AN ACT relating to utilities; revising provisions governing the establishment of the rates of certain utilities; authorizing the release of certain accident reports under certain circumstances; revising provisions governing applications for changes to railroad crossings; changing the dates for the calculation and payment of assessments by railroads; revising provisions governing the adoption of water conservation and incentive plans by utilities; revising provisions governing the provision of utility services to mobile home parks and company towns to include services from alternative sellers; providing for the acquisition of utility services by mobile home parks from alternative sellers; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Townsend moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Commerce and Labor:
Senate Bill No. 211—AN ACT relating to the Colorado River commission; expanding the authority of the Colorado River commission to provide electric services to political subdivisions; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Townsend moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Commerce and Labor:
Senate Bill No. 212—AN ACT relating to health insurance; repealing provisions that require a policy of individual health insurance to include certain coverage and benefits; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Townsend moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Commerce and Labor:
Senate Bill No. 213—AN ACT relating to insurers; creating a privilege of confidentiality for certain information obtained during an insurance compliance audit; providing that the privilege does not limit the authority of the commissioner of insurance or the administrator of the division of industrial relations of the department of business and industry to acquire the information; providing a procedure for the waiver of the privilege; establishing a judicial procedure to determine whether information obtained during an insurance compliance audit is subject to the privilege; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Townsend moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By Senator Care:
Senate Bill No. 214—AN ACT relating to civil liability; creating a rebuttable presumption of negligence when the driver of a motor vehicle or a pedestrian uses a mobile telephone at the time of a motor vehicle accident; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Care moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By Senators Rawson, Wiener, Washington, Schneider, Townsend; Assemblymen Gibbons, Koivisto, Freeman, Leslie, Beers, Berman, Manendo, McClain and Smith:
Senate Bill No. 215—AN ACT making an appropriation to the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources for support of a program to identify and review the use of services available for Nevada’s seniors; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senators Care and O'Donnell:
Senate Bill No. 216—AN ACT relating to contracts; enacting provisions governing the financing of the repair, restoration, improvement or construction of residential pools and spas; requiring the state contractors’ board to designate an employee as ombudsman for residential swimming pools and spas and prescribing the duties of the ombudsman; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Care moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 217—AN ACT relating to business; revising various provisions governing the filing of organizational and related documents; revising the fees for filing certain documents; providing for certificates of correction; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By Senator O'Connell (by request):
Senate Bill No. 218—AN ACT relating to professions; requiring the satisfactory completion of a course of instruction in ethics by certain applicants for licensure as professional engineers and land surveyors; establishing a screening panel to review certain claims against architects, professional engineers, professional land surveyors and registered interior designers; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 24.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 32.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 33.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 78.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 98.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Senate Bill No. 7.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Senate Bill No. 29.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
REMARKS FROM THE FLOOR
Senator James requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
Senate Bill No. 211 is referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources per Senate Standing Rule No. 40 which provides that matters affecting the Colorado River Commission be referred to that committee.
GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR
On request of Senator Amodei, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Cassandra Bowman and Joan C. Wright.
On request of Senator Care, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Rosella Nunez.
On request of Senator Jacobsen, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Marlene Fulper and Sheena Bonaldi.
On request of Senator Mathews, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to the following student athletes: Victoria Vo, Cindy Fox, Ashley Evdo Kimo, Corey Phillips, Chelsea Williamson, Megan Biasi, Leanne Howard, Brittany Trimble, Megan Franke, Maghen Sambrano, Ashley Miller, Jessica Ullisiet, Taylor Turner, Brittany Green, Monique Donnelly, Amber Burroughs, Lauren Mejia, Hilda Perez, Kaylee Lamon, Ashley Robbins, Elyse Sambrano, Danica Marks, Virginia Thomason, Samanta Aquil, Fe’Lisha Goodlow, Angline Del Rosario, Jessica Sherbourne, Amy Hendrickson, Gloria Doherty, Gbrianna Tuipulotu, Maricella Valtierra, Mellisa Valtierra, Shequa Johnson, Allie Wotring, Vivian Luong, Ashlie Wotring, Sarah Petri, Barbara Castellanos, Ashley Henry, April Davis, Samie Derheim, Kelsey Gregory, Cassie Auble, Taylor Snider, Jackie Rusk, Melissa Hampton, Annie Trent, Kirsten Fisher, Kali Auckly, Lauren Fant, Amanda Moss, Emily Durr, Megan Johnson, Vanessa Henrickson, Lupe Pahulu, Wuliana Parada, Ana Puloka, Sandra Salas, LeeBernadette Garcia, Carina Lopez, Kayela Flores, Mary Anne Solacgui, Rashonda McAliser, Kim Border, Lauren Carter, Allonna James, Alyssa Patiga, Ashley Patiga, Abbay Fox, Dana Drakulich, Ashley Hines, Janelle Toledo, Raelyn Peel, Kathryn Ding, Claudia Melendrez, Nevit Bill, Michelle Gonzalez, Nadine Lewis, Lauren Rolley, Rachel Fairchild, Danielle Hembree, Dana Pennington, Sheila James, Wendy Doutre, Jessica Welch, Kimberly Maldonado, Brittany Moore, Sara Johnson, Ashly Keefer, Jessica Houft, McKenzie Kelly, Alicia Kraft, Jenny Burrows, Caitlyn Bailey, Catherine Brekken, Nicole Scott, Jennifer Koenig, Brianne Nalder, Jolie Kizer, Natalie Ameson, Christin Cottrell, Stacie Hoogestraat, Kileen Vandervort, Katelyn Davis, Ashley Miller, Loni Booth, Allison Dillard, Rena Bautista, Yajaira Torres, Melissa Reidlinger, Kalo Tasini Lavaka, Dinahrie Gutal, Renee Opitz, Jenny Rosales, Liz Agee, Rachel Hadley, Kristian Payton, Ashley DiTommaso, Felicia Brooks, Cheyenne Gierhart, Liz Mercurio, Jenna Winshing, Caitlin White, Kaylan King, Daryan Glenn, Alicia Affinito, Kristen Gilbert, Ashley English, Erin Warner and Lindsay Johnston.
On request of Senator McGinness, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Allison Sevell.
On request of Senator O'Donnell, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Mary O'Donnell.
On request of Senator Raggio, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Jackee Rusk and Lindsey Johnston.
On request of Senator Rhoads, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Kelsey Gregory.
On request of Senator Titus, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Sandra Salas.
On request of Senator Townsend, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Alexandra Craigie and Russell Craigie.
On request of Senator Washington, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Erica Maldonado.
On request of Senator Wiener, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Maria Garcia.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess until 5:00 p.m.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 12:02 p.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 5:11 p.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
The Sergeant at Arms announced that Assemblyman Goldwater and Assemblywoman Leslie were at the bar of the Senate. Assemblyman Goldwater invited the Senate to meet in Joint Session with the Assembly to hear an address by Senator John Ensign.
Madam President announced that if there were no objections, the Senate would recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Senate in recess at 5:16 p.m.
IN JOINT SESSION
At 5:21 p.m.
President Hunt presiding.
The Secretary of the Senate called the Senate roll.
All present except Senator Coffin, who was excused.
The Chief Clerk of the Assembly called the Assembly roll.
All present except Assemblyman Humke and Assemblywoman Ohrenschall, who were excused.
Madam President appointed a Committee on Escort consisting of Senator James and Assemblywoman Cegavske to wait upon the Honorable Senator John Ensign and escort him to the Assembly Chamber.
Senator Ensign delivered his message as follows:
Message to the Legislature of Nevada
Seventy-First Session, 2001
Lieutenant Governor Hunt, Speaker Perkins, Majority Leader Raggio, Governor Guinn, members of the Legislature and guests:
I would be remiss if I did not say hello to Senator McGinness. The Senator’s son, Ryan, works for me back in Washington, D.C. I am very fortunate because I have many Nevadans working for me. I am especially happy, Senator, to have your son working for me. He is doing a great job.
I was reminded again, today, as I drove down from Reno how much Nevada has changed and how much Nevadans have not. As a teenager living in northern Nevada, I made that drive many times. Slide Mountain and Washoe Lake look a little different from Highway 395 than they did from Old Washoe Valley Road, but the Nevadans having breakfast at Heidi’s or a late lunch at Adele’s haven’t changed much at all. They are still talking about family weekends and Nevada values.
I am proud to speak to you today as a fourth generation Nevadan, as well as the 24th person elected from this State to serve in the United States Senate. I would like to acknowledge the man I replaced, a gifted leader in the Nevada Legislature, the state house and in the U.S. Senate, Dick Bryan. I will endeavor to serve Nevada as honorably as he did.
I have been in the Senate now for a little more than a month. The first time I walked on the Senate floor, I felt—I suspect—much like many of you when you entered this hall for the first time after you were elected—exhilarated, yet humbled. I felt a sense of intense obligation and responsibility to my state, and to my nation.
It is this responsibility we share, federal and state legislators alike, which necessitates our working together first as Nevadans above political party, above legislative body, above special interests. My message today is simple.
First, I want you to know that I am working for you in Washington, D.C. I need your input and ideas to be an effective leader for Nevada. My door is always open to those of you with issues and concerns.
Secondly, bipartisanship may be the cliché in Washington D.C., but I intend to work with people of all political persuasions to find and advance solutions to Nevada’s and our country’s challenges. An example of that bipartisanship can be found in the relationship Senator Harry Reid and I have developed. It started from the moment I was elected to office. We met and made a commitment to keep the lines of communication open and to work together. We talk on the phone several times a week and often have face-to-face meetings to discuss issues. The effort to work together extends to our staffs as well. Once a week, Harry and I join our staffs for an informal breakfast to welcome Nevadans to Washington D.C. The gathering also gives us a chance to meet our constituents and listen to their concerns.
I have learned nurturing, one-on-one relationships are a key to success in politics. I have spent the first few weeks in Washington D.C. meeting individually with members of the Senate. I do this because you can’t expect someone to vote with you or support your issues if they do not know who you are or what you stand for.
During the campaign, I promised to be a strong voice while fighting for issues Nevadans care about most—issues like making our schools the best in the nation and our nation’s schools the best in the world, making health care more affordable and accessible. I will fight to pass a National Patient Bill of Rights providing our seniors, throughout the country and here at home, with prescription drugs.
With the Nevada delegation, I reaffirm my commitment to keep deadly nuclear waste out of our State.
President Bush has made education a top priority for the country and Governor Guinn has deemed it a top priority for our State. For me education is not only my top priority, it is my passion. Education has also become an economic issue. For our young people to compete in a global economy, they must have a great education.
Earlier today, I met with a group of children and parents at Mendive Middle School. I was there to help honor more than 300 students for achieving excellence in citizenship. I applauded the students, their parents and their teachers for making character development an important part of education.
I know that leaders of both parties in this hall share education as a top priority. Our teachers should be paid more but also be held accountable. And one of the most important things we must do for education is allow our teachers and administrators to put discipline back in the classroom. In addition, for the first time, we must fully fund the federal share of special education.
Within a few weeks, the U.S. Senate will debate and vote on the Bush Education Plan which incorporates these principals. During this debate, I will fight to change the federal formula the government uses to disperse money to the states so Nevada students receive their fair share. In addition, this funding must come back to Nevada with drastically fewer federal mandates. Years ago, Kenny Guinn signed my high school diploma. I trust Kenny, the Nevada Legislature and local school districts to have the needed flexibility to spend this money in ways that best help our children.
As an example, I want to allow federal dollars to complement programs like Governor Guinn’s initiative to ensure elementary students are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. This mirrors the reading goals set by President Bush’s education plan. I also believe we need to make Head Start an early reading program instead of a daycare program.
When I talk about accountability, I want to be very clear this debate will not rise or fall on vouchers. President Bush’s plan does include vouchers. It works by allowing parents to control Title I funding if schools fail them three years in a row.
Recently, I met with a group of Nevada educators in Washington D.C. We had a frank discussion about school vouchers. Some told me they are not in favor of voucher programs. I, in turn, challenged them—come up with a better system that accomplishes these two things: hold the school accountable for the failure to educate our children, and come up with a plan that actually helps the students that fail.
Our State’s motto is “Battle Born.” In addition, we face an uphill “battle” in Washington D.C. in our fight against nuclear waste and in our effort to stop the movement to ban legal college sports betting, a move that would hurt our State’s economy. We in the Congress, State Legislature and Nevadans as a whole are facing legislative fights that are tantamount to the biblical battle between David and Goliath.
Working closely with our senior Senator, Harry Reid, I will continue to take our fight to every Senator and directly to the new administration. As we say, there’s a new sheriff in town in Washington, D.C. who will certainly impact these Nevada issues.
During the presidential campaign, then-Governor Bush made certain promises. We intend to hold the Bush Administration to those promises. The good news is, it appears the temporary nuclear waste dump is dead and that’s great for Nevada. Now, we must give 31 other states an alternative to storing their nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain.
Last week funding for new nuclear waste recycling technology, known as transmutation, was kicked off with a $34 million grant at one of our national labs in New Mexico. This is good, but it’s only a start.
For the first time ever, our Governor—in a bipartisan spirit—is committing substantial resources to educating other states on the dangers of nuclear waste. This $5 million investment together with local and private funds will assist our efforts in Washington D.C. to educate communities across the country. The battle on nuclear waste is a battle we cannot afford to lose.
Another threat to our State is the effort to ban legal sports betting. Last week, our Congressional Delegation introduced legislation to combat illegal sports betting. Our bill attacks the problem instead of just being a cosmetic fix. It gives money and personnel to the Justice Department to fight organized crime and illegal sports betting. It also holds colleges and universities accountable for educating students on the problems of illegal gambling. Let’s keep legal sports gambling legal, well-regulated and go after the real problem—illegal sports betting.
I have the honor of serving on several committees crucial to Nevada interests in the Senate: Commerce, Banking, the Special Committee on Aging and the Small Business Committee. The Commerce Committee and, in particular, the Subcommittee on Aviation are important as we try to get more flights to Nevada. Our country needs several new airports. These new airports can provide for new direct flights to Nevada. From the Banking Committee’s jurisdiction on mass transit, I’ll be working to help ensure the funding for the monorail in southern Nevada that is so desperately needed.
I will also continue my focus on health issues. Medicare is especially important to us because of Nevada’s aging population. Today, many seniors are forced to choose between buying their next meal or prescription medication. No one should have to make that choice. I am proud that while Congress was grid locked, Nevada acted as one and led the nation in trying to solve the problem. I have worked closely with the Governor’s Office and will work to ensure whatever we do at the federal level fits well with what you have already done. I fully expect a bill adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare to be signed into law this year.
I can remember when places like Fernley and Pahrump were truly considered part of rural Nevada. Now, they are becoming bedroom communities for Reno and Las Vegas. With these changes, issues such as transportation funding, air quality and school construction become more important to more Nevadans. We must not forget, however, that throughout rural Nevada communities are losing ground and losing jobs. The mining industry is defending itself from onerous regulations, and the shrinking tax base is crushing rural schools.
Education, nuclear waste alternatives, prescription drug coverage for our seniors, the NCAA betting ban and protecting our unique environment are issues upon which we can come together. We must also remember, we all have a responsibility to listen and fight for our fellow Nevadans—we can’t afford to get lost in the shuffle of self-interest. Now is the time to focus and work together for our children, our parents and our fellow Nevadans.
Thank you for your time. God bless Nevada and God bless America.
Senator Rawson moved that the Senate and Assembly in Joint Session extend a vote of thanks to Senator Ensign for his timely, able and constructive message.
Motion carried.
The Committee on Escort escorted Senator Ensign to the bar of the Assembly.
Senator O'Connell moved that the Joint Session be dissolved.
Motion carried.
Joint Session dissolved at 5:42 p.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 5:45 p.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adjourn until Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 4:30 p.m.
Motion carried.
Senate adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Approved:Lorraine T. Hunt
President of the Senate
Attest: Claire J. Clift
Secretary of the Senate