Education, social service funding sought

U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., urged Nevada lawmakers on Monday to figure a way around the $2 billion-plus revenue shortfall faced by the state so that public education and social services for children can be properly

funded.

Berkley also told senators and Assembly members that even though some may think there are benefits to the state if the federal government could open a high-level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, "Yucca Mountain is dead."

The veteran congresswoman, a former state university-college regent, pressed lawmakers to adequately fund education, saying, "I know you are faced with a huge budget hole in our state ... but I implore you to do whatever you can."

Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposal for higher education funding includes cuts of about 50 percent for the state's two universities in Las Vegas and Reno.

Gibbons also proposed an enrollment cap of 25,000 children in Nevada Check Up, a program that provides health insurance to about 23,000 low-income children, but Berkley said the cap should be lifted to allow for up to 37,000 more children.

"I can't imagine not doing that," Berkley said, noting that there are about 70,000 Nevada children who are eligible for the program.

Regarding the Yucca Mountain nuclear dump project, Berkley said, "For those that keep talking about an amazing payday from the federal government, I invite you " when you're not looking at your budget " to look at the federal budget's red ink. There is no money."

Berkley also said she has worked hard to overcome "devastating consequences" for Las Vegas following criticism of travel practices by companies that have received federal bailout funds. She said that more than 300 conventions scheduled in Las Vegas have been canceled since the start of the year.

As a result of the criticism of such events, Berkley said, "Las Vegas became the target of every politician who had an ax to grind."

Berkley also said Nevada could find itself at "the epicenter of renewable energy" development in this country now that there's increased emphasis on "green" power development.