Another in a long string of snubs for Northern Nevad

(Las Vegas, NV) – Seven-term Congresswoman Shelley Berkley’s assault on Northern Nevada continues, and this time she’s targeted well over 1,000 ranchers in Nevada. Shelley Berkley voted this week against the Grazing Improvement Act, choosing to protect federal regulations over Nevada’s family businesses.

“After taking back to back votes against creating jobs in northern Nevada, no wonder Shelley Berkley prefers to hide in her bunker when she visits. This time, she’s clinging to big-government, federal regulations rather than a simple change that can just make it easier for ranching businesses to plan for the future.  Where exactly is the problem, Congresswoman? Is it just that Nancy Pelosi opposes it?” said Chandler Smith, Heller for Senate spokeswoman.

The Grazing Improvement Act would give grazers greater certainty about their permit renewal. The bill allows grazers to renew their permits and continue their operations while the permitting renewal process is being complete.  Without this bill, permit holders are forced to rely on year-to-year appropriations bill.

But this isn’t the first, second, or even third time Shelley Berkley has turned her back on Northern Nevada.

On Monday, Berkley took sides with the League of Conservation Voters instead of creating 800 jobs in Lyon County. (H.R. 4039, Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act)

Berkley mistook the Topaz Ranch Estates fire as the “Reno area” even though it was more than 60 miles away, separated by Carson City, Gardnerville, and Minden, just to name a few.  Listen to the clip here.

In April, Shelley Berkley said she was “nervous” to be around a group of Elko Democrats. She went on to thank “the chairman of the Clark County Democratic Wendy Ispisua.” Audio here.

In February, Shelley Berkley tweeted that she visited the Click Bond factory in Reno, when it was actually located in Carson City.  (The tweet was deleted, but is pasted below.)

Shelley Berkley said she doesn’t want to go looking at “your mines” in rural Nevada: “I have my hands full down here…I don’t think I have to be traipsing up to Carlin to look at your mines when I have so many needs (in Clark County).”  (John Mercurio, “Between the Lines,” Roll Call, Jan. 29, 2001)

Shelley Berkley said doesn’t want to represent rural areas: “Speaking so bluntly she insulted at least one rural lawmaker, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., told legislators Monday she doesn’t want her district redrawn to include rural areas….Berkley wants to represent only urban Las Vegas, also opposing any thought of her district encompassing the suburbs.” (Jane Ann Morrison, “Berkley: ‘Hands full’ with urban issues,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan. 23, 2001)

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Heller Applauds House Passage of Yerington Mining Bill

(Washington, D.C.) –U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) released the following statement after the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act (H.R. 4039) passed the U.S. House of Representatives. In March, Heller introduced companion legislation (S. 2228) in the Senate. This legislation conveys federal land for fair market value to the City of Yerington for responsible mineral development and long-term sustainable planning.

“This legislation is an example of how Congress can act to encourage job growth, and I am pleased the House passed this measure. Mining is the backbone of Nevada’s rural economy and we are fortunate to have resources in our own backyard for economic development. Nevada has led the country in unemployment for the past 32 months, and Congress should focus on every opportunity available to create jobs. Lyon County faces the highest unemployment in the state. This legislation will create hundreds of jobs providing much-needed relief in one of Nevada’s most distressed counties. Every member of the Nevada delegation should support this measure and work to pass it out of Congress,” said Senator Dean Heller.

Bill Summary

• Allows the City of Yerington to partner with Nevada Copper to develop over 10,000 acres of land surrounding the Nevada Copper Pumpkin Hollow project site.
• Land conveyed under this bill would also be used for industrial and renewable energy development, recreation, and open space.
• The bill will create approximately 500 construction jobs by 2013. At full operation in 2015-2016, Pumpkin Hollow is expected to employ nearly 800 people directly.