REID NABS $30 MILLION FOR NEVADA IN FINAL COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE
BUDGET BILL
December 15, 2000
Washington, D.C. – United States Senator Harry Reid successfully obtained
more than $30 million in funding for Nevada related projects today as part
of the final FY 2001 Commerce, Justice and State budget package.
"This bill contains important funding to help Nevada communities with
law enforcement and security efforts as well as money to fight deadly
methamphetamine and for an innovative half-way house for Reno and Las Vegas," said Reid, The
Senate's Assistant
Democratic Leader.
As a members of the Senate Appropriations Committee
Reid also fought to include more than $12 million dollars in continued
funding for claims by victims living downwind of nuclear tests conducted
in Nevada.
"We must live up to out nation's commitment to those "downwinders" who
became victims of our nuclear weapons program, and this funding will allow
us to continue providing compensation for those impacted by atomic testing
in Nevada and Utah," Reid said.
Under Reid's Law enforcement agencies in Nye and Clark County would also receive a
total of $2.25 million in federal funding to purchase new technology under
Reid's bill.
"In the 21st century technology plays an important role in aiding law
enforcement agencies in protecting lives and property. Under these COPS
grants, law enforcement agencies in both Nye and Clark County will have
the funding and the flexibility to address specific technology needs in
their jurisdictions," Reid said.
For the third year in row, Reid was also successful in obtaining
federal funding for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium located
at Nevada Test Site. The program
serves as a national training center for emergency response personnel from
across the nation who attend a one to two weeks of training which combines
both classroom instruction and simulated terrorist threats.
"Communities in Nevada and across the nation must have well trained
emergency crews that are prepared for the frightening scenario of a
chemical or biological attack. The Nevada Test Site provides an ideal
setting for this training, and the counter-terrorism training program fits
perfectly into on-going efforts to find new and innovative uses for this
unique facility in the Nevada desert," said Reid.
Reid initially funded the counter-terrorism training facility at NTS as
part of the FY 1999 budget, and was successful in increasing funding to
$3.5 million in FY 2000 to improve and expand the program. Reid was able
to increase this year's funding to $4.5 million.
The following is a summary of Nevada related projects in the Commerce,
Justice, State and Judiciary, Treasury and General Government and
Legislative Branch Appropriations bills:
Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary
Appropriations
AMOUNT |
FOR |
$4.5 million |
Nat'l Domestic Preparedness Consortium (Nevada Test Site) |
$5 million |
Nat'l Council of Judicial & Family Court Judges (UNR) |
$2.9 million |
Regional Climate (UNR) |
$2 million |
Clark County COPS technology |
$250,000 |
Nye County COPS technology |
$750,000 |
National Judicial College (UNR) |
$12.8 million |
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.(Downwinders) |
$1.175 million |
US Courthouse Security (Lloyd George Fed. Courthouse) |
$250,000 |
Nye County Meth initiative |
$400,000 |
Ridge House treatment facilities in LV and Reno |
$500,000 |
Nat'l export/trade database at the Int'l Trade Association (
promotes tourism and trade w/in Commerce
Dept) |
Other Misc. Provisions
The FY01 CJSJ Appropriations bill also includes report language which
directs the Immigration
and Naturalization Service to study backlogs and staffing levels at
various offices throughout the country, one of which is the INS office in
Las Vegas.
The FY2001 Treasury and General Government Appropriations bill also
includes your provision to extend current law (in the FY2000 bill) to
ensure fair and equitable coverage of FDA approved contraceptives to
Federal employees insured through the Federal Employees Health Benefits
Program. |