Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District and a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Education and Labor Committees announced today that Nevada stands to receive more than $291 million for infrastructure projects in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that is expected to be voted on tomorrow on the House floor.  The bill would also provide the Clark County School District with $179 million.  This unprecedented economic recovery legislation will help save and create jobs while providing relief for schools and programs facing budget shortfalls in the Third District and investing in the state’s aging infrastructure.

“The Third District has been one of the fastest growing regions in the country, putting a strain on our roads, highways, and infrastructure,” Congresswoman Titus said.  “These critical funds in the recovery package will provide needed investments that will modernize and improve transportation in our state, and more importantly, will create jobs and stimulate economic growth in our region.”

“The money in this bill for Clark County schools will provide a critical boost at a time when Nevada faces steep budget cuts,” Titus added.  “It is vital that during this period of economic hardship that we do not shortchange the educational needs of our children.  We must continue to invest in our nation’s future by ensuring that students receive a quality education.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a $115 million increase in funds over two years that would help low-income students and students with disabilities through Title I and IDEA funding.  Schools in Clark County would also receive $64 million to help repair, renovate, and modernize their facilities, creating jobs for Nevada’s hard hit construction sector.

Spending on transportation and infrastructure will also help create jobs at a time when Nevada’s unemployment is at a 25-year high.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $291 million for Nevada, $217 million of which will go toward highways and bridges.  The rest of the money will be used to build and improve transit and clean water projects.  With an estimated 40 highway and bridge projects valued at $250 million ready to go, Nevada will be impacted by the recovery spending early on.

Congresswoman Titus also highlighted key provisions that fall under the Education and Labor Committee’s jurisdiction that will help families in Nevada.  The recovery legislation invests more than $26 million in vital job training and support programs that will help put people back to work and extends unemployment benefits at a time when Nevada is experiencing record job loss.  The plan also provides $70 million for Pell grants that will help more than 20,000 students afford the rising cost of a college education.

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Tags: education, Recovery and Reinvestment Act