Friday, October 30, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's Third District issued the following statement today following the release of a report that showed the effects that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is having on Nevada after 18 percent of the total ARRA funds have been spent.

"With Nevada's unemployment at record levels, it is essential that we put the Recovery Act money to work as quickly as possible. Already 95 percent of Nevadans have seen more money in their paycheck from the largest package of tax cuts in history and the state has received money to help bridge its budget shortfall, saving teachers' jobs across the state. First-time homebuyers have used an $8,000 tax credit to give a boost to our struggling housing market, and seniors and disabled veterans received a recovery payment to help them through this difficult time.

"But for some time, I have been concerned with the pace that the state has spent recovery money. Reports on transportation spending repeatedly ranked Nevada near the bottom when it comes to starting projects and getting the money out and the State has been slow to take advantage of recovery funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.

"The state needs to act with a greater sense of urgency and put this money to use with the utmost speed, efficiency, and transparency in order to create more jobs.  I have repeatedly reached out to the Governor and stand ready to work with my colleagues in Congress if there are any federal barriers the state has found that are slowing this important process.  Turning our economy around and putting people back to work must be our top priority."
 

Tags: jobs, Recovery and Reinvestment Act, tax relief