CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- Nevada lawmakers are advancing a plan to sidestep Gov. Jim Gibbons and accept federal stimulus funds for jobless benefits.
The Assembly Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously to pass two measures that would allow the Legislature to accept the stimulus funds. The measures now move to the full Assembly.
At stake is $200 million in federal funds to extend the number of weeks that those already on the jobless rolls can get unemployment checks; and another $77 million to pay for additional
people on the rolls.
Nevada's unemployment rate rose to 10.1 percent in February. The rate has increased every month since the start of the national recession in December 2007.
Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Washoe County, says the state needs to take the funds because so many Nevada families are struggling. She also responded to a comment from Governor Jim Gibbons' office that said "anyone who says the governor is not accepting stimulus money is lying."
"Well nobody said the governor's going to reject it," Leslie said. "He...his office has sent a very confusing message. They haven't said they are going to accept it, and they've raised lots of concerns that we just don't understand. I would not say we the governor is going to reject it. I would say his position is rather incoherent and confusing."
Defending the governor's stance on the issue, his press secretary-- Dan Burns--said, "the governor couldn't be more clear. The vast percentage of stimulus money Nevada has been given is being put to use, or will be. There is a small percentage of unemployment stimulus money that would raise unemployment taxes for every business owner in Nevada forever.
The governor has been reluctant to accept that small percentage. The larger amount has already been accepted and is being distributed to people who have lost their jobs. That $70 million, the small percentage, the governor hasn't decided yet--his stance has not changed at all, ever. Anyone who suggests otherwise is asleep at the switch."
