Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, local employers talk about importance of Recovery Act

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the rhetoric has already ramped up from Republicans both nationally and in Nevada.

But at an event honoring ARRA’s anniversary, Nevada Democrats discussed how crucial this legislation has been in creating and saving jobs – including those of teachers, police, renewable energy and construction workers and gaming employees across the state – and in cutting taxes for the middle class.

Today, the Nevada State Democratic Party, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and a group of Southern Nevada employers called on Republicans to point out exactly which jobs they would sacrifice.

Ruben Murillo, president of the Clark County Education Association, said the Recovery Act ensured thousands of teachers stayed in classrooms, where they belong. How many of those teachers would Republicans have cast aside for the sake of partisan politics?

Matt Van Note, a project manager for Bombard Renewable Energy, said his company would have been forced to lay off workers who install solar panels if not for tax credits included in the recovery act. Which of those Bombard workers are expendable?

And Marybel Batjer, Harrah's vice president for public policy and communications, said 31,000 Harrah’s jobs were protected thanks to a debt cancellation provision inserted into the Recovery Act by Sen. Harry Reid. Which of those workers would Republicans have put in jeopardy?

“When Republicans talk about how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a failure, they insult the real Nevadans who have jobs today because of this legislation,” said Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. “Which of those tens of thousands of people don’t deserve work? Which deserve to be laid off? Which families don’t deserve the tax breaks that made it easier for them to make ends meet over the last year.

“Creating and saving Nevada jobs shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It should be something we can all agree on. Just ask the construction workers, teachers, police officers and casino workers who can count on their paychecks to come every week thanks to the Recovery Act.
 
 

Marybel Batjer, Harrah's vice president for public policy and communications, talks about how 31,000 Harrah’s jobs were protected thanks to a debt cancellation provision inserted into the Recovery Act by Sen. Harry Reid.

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley touts the tens of thousands of jobs that have been created or saved in Nevada thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act at a press conference at the Laborers International weatherization training facility in Las Vegas.