Nevada’s lawmakers heard pushback on funding for private school vouchers and support for green energy bills introduced this session during a speech from Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nevada.
The congressman spoke Tuesday before both chambers of the Legislature, touching on the need for affordable health care, his intent to fight the revival of the Yucca Mountain project, and a call for efforts to support veterans.
“I will continue to fight efforts to cut Medicaid funding,” he said. “I urge you to push forward and expand the program that helps 600,000 Nevadans obtain the health care that they need.”
Gov. Brian Sandoval has proposed $60 million in funding for Education Savings Accounts, a program that sparked a legal battle after its passage. Kihuen called vouchers “bad policy.”
Kihuen spoke in favor of paid sick leave, which would earn companies tax breaks in Nevada if lawmakers pass Assembly Bill 266.
“No one, and I mean no one, should have to choose between a paycheck and their health,” he said.
Kihuen talked about coming to the United States at age 8 and eventually becoming a congressman, saying that is the American Dream. He said Nevada’s Legislature is one of the most diverse in the country, and commended Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas, on succeeding in her long-standing effort to get the state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
The congressman introduced his first bill in February, the Service Training Education and Preparation for Veterans Act. Kihuen said Tuesday that the measure is intended to help community colleges train veterans for the workforce.
“Community colleges should have the tools they need to best serve those who have risked their lives for our country, and I can’t think of a better-prepared group of people to help us fill the jobs of the future than our own veterans,” he said. “I’m also fighting to keep the Ely Community Clinic for veterans in my district open. It is a shame that our veterans fought for our country and now have to fight to keep their clinic open.”
Kihuen also told lawmakers that protecting Gold Butte National Monument and other land designated for preservation can create jobs as well as improve property values and quality of life.
He also pointed to sustainable energy as another source of economic growth, and encouraged lawmakers to pass green energy bills that are up for consideration this session.
One of those bills, Assembly Bill 270, seeks to boost the amount utilities pay to solar customers who produce excess energy that goes back into the grid. A decision by utility regulators led to lower compensation for customers.
That legislation was granted a waiver to stay alive beyond Friday’s committee passage deadline.
“With so much land, wind and sun, Nevada can be the leader in the world in clean and renewable energy,” Kihuen said. “This will help with our state’s economic diversification efforts.”
He ended by reminding lawmakers that “it’s not about you,” but about serving constituents.
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