Press ReleasesPress Releases
Assembly Democrats’ Landmark Education Reforms Go Into Effect
June 1, 2011
CARSON CITY— Today, Assembly Bills 222, 225 and 229, legislation to reform Nevada’s K-12 education system, went into effect. Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith, and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith, sponsored the legislation.
“These reforms are a major step forward for Nevada,” Oceguera said. “Having systems in place to more effectively evaluate educators and sufficiently reward them and the tools to replace the ones that don’t belong in a classroom will allow us to provide the education that Nevada’s children deserve.”
Nevada Jobs & Economic Development Plan Passes Assembly
June 1, 2011
CARSON CITY—Today the Nevada Assembly passed the “Nevada Jobs and Economic Growth Plan,” A.B. 449. The legislation will now head to the Senate. Speaker John Oceguera released the following statement:
“On the day we forged a budget agreement, it is fitting that the Assembly has passed the Nevada Jobs and Economic Development Plan. This legislation is a complete overhaul, consolidation, and streamlining of Nevada's economic development efforts and yet another example of Democrats and Republicans working together to improve Nevada’s economy.
Democrats and Republican Find Common Ground, Reach Budget Agreement
June 1, 2011
CARSON CITY— Today, Senate and Assembly leadership, and Governor Sandoval completed bipartisan negotiations on Nevada’s budget. Legislative leaders released the following statements regarding the budget agreement.
Patient Checklist Legislation Passes Nevada Senate, Heads To Governor
May 23, 2011
CARSON CITY—Today, the Nevada Senate passed A.B. 280, legislation sponsored by Speaker John Oceguera, implementing a patient checklist at medical facilities.
Senate Passes Performance-Based Budgeting System
May 23, 2011
CARSON CITY—Today, the Nevada Senate passed A.B. 248, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith and Speaker John Oceguera, implementing a performance-based budgeting system, requiring agencies to set benchmarks and goals, and holding them accountable through the budgeting process for their priorities and performance indicators.
Government Affairs Chair Kirkpatrick Statement On Final Passage Of Government Reform Legislation
May 16, 2011
CARSON CITY—Assembly Government Affairs Committee Chair Marilyn Kirkpatrick released the following statement on the passage by the Nevada Senate of A.B. 1, legislation to increase the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of state government:
“A.B. 1 will provide more transparency in state government by requiring the reporting of any and all uncollected taxes, abatements and leased land.
“Under this legislation, state government will have up-to-date information about taxes, revenue, and state assets, allowing us to make more informed decisions during the legislative process.
Higher Education Efficiency Measure Passes Senate
May 9, 2011
One of the biggest challenges this legislative session is the lack of revenue for education, both K-12 and higher education, which together typically make up more than half the entire state budget. Due to this lack of revenue, both Democrats and Republicans are in complete agreement that there must be cuts. There also needs to be fundamental reform to education to ensure our public schools, universities and community colleges are doing all they can to produce a well-educated, well-trained workforce ready for today’s jobs.
Assembly Majority Leader Conklin & Attorney General Cortez-Masto Fight Foreclosure Fraud
March 31, 2011
CARSON CITY—In an ongoing effort to address the foreclosure epidemic in Nevada, Assembly Majority Leader Marcus Conklin and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto today introduced legislation to help protect Nevada homeowners and businesses from foreclosure fraud.
Education Reform
May 1, 2011
Editorial by Speaker John Oceguera & Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith
Over the past year, we brought together policy experts, business leaders, parents, teachers and principals to develop a comprehensive plan to improve Nevada’s education system. Based on those discussions, Democrats in the Legislature have introduced major education reform, taking the unique needs of Nevada’s education system and those of our state as a whole into account. Our education reform package includes reforming teacher tenure by:
Nevada Assembly Passes A.B. 240, Reforming State Contracting
April 26, 2011
CARSON CITY—Today, the Nevada Assembly passed A.B. 240, sponsored by Ways and Means Committee Chair Debbie Smith (D-30), increasing transparency and accountability in state contracting.
“In these times of economic and budgetary challenges, it is more critical than ever that we take every step possible to use taxpayer revenue effectively, save money, and improve state services,” Smith said. “Bringing state contracting out into the open for all to see and establishing a cooling off period for state employees are great steps forward for accomplishing those goals.”
Nevada Jobs First Signed Into Law
April 27, 2011
Governor Sandoval signed “Nevada Jobs First” (A.B. 144), introduced and sponsored by Assembly Democratic leadership, giving priority in bidding on state and local public works projects to Nevada businesses that employ Nevada workers and buy products and materials from Nevada businesses. “Nevada Jobs First” is the first part of the Democratic economic development agenda to be signed into law, creating jobs filled by Nevadans.
Nevada Assembly Passes “Nevada Trades,” Creating In Land Port Zones
April 26, 2011
CARSON CITY—Today, the Nevada Assembly passed “Nevada Trades” (A.B. 182) legislation, sponsored by the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee, which will enable in land port zones in Nevada, capitalizing on an inherent logistics and manufacturing opportunity.
Assembly Democrats to Present Legislation Aiding Struggling Students, Improveing Parental Involvement
March 3, 2011
CARSON CITY—Tomorrow, the Assembly Education Committee will hear two more bills sponsored by Assembly Democrats to help Nevada kids get the skills and proficiency they need to graduate, improve their preparedness for college, and better equip them for 21st century jobs.
Nevada has one of the worst graduation rates in the nation, as high as 67.4% in at least one study, and one of the highest dropout rates as well.
