#NVSen: Berkley Keeps Choosing Big Government Over Rural NV

Votes to Keep Nevada in Hands of Federal Government Over and Over Again

(Las Vegas, NV) – Seven-term Congresswoman Shelley Berkley just doesn’t get it. Over and over again, she has chosen to give the federal government more control over Nevada’s land. Dean Heller’s visits to Laughlin and Pahrump yesterday, as well as Reno and other rural areas later this week, serve as a reminder of all of the times Shelley has not stood with rural Nevada.

“As Shelley Berkley campaigns around the state, Nevadans should remember all of the times she voted to make sure the federal government has the power to call the shots.  No amount of photo-ops or speeches can cover up the fact that she is no advocate for rural Nevada.  As she has said before, she doesn’t even like leaving urban Las Vegas,” said Chandler Smith, Heller for Senate spokeswoman.

Shelley Berkley has repeatedly voted to keep control over rural Nevada in the hands of the federal government:

·         In June, Berkley voted against the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act, which would have created nearly 800 jobs in Nevada at no cost to the federal government.

·         Berkley voted to allow the Administration to designate national monuments without Congressional approval. (Heller amendment #482 to H.R. 1, 2/19/2011)

·         Berkley voted against an amendment that would have reduced funds for the federal government to buy more public land. (Lummis Amendment to H.R. 1, 2/19/2011)

·         Berkley supported allowing the federal government to implement off-road vehicle management plans in national forests that would supersede plans developed by local communities. (Herger amendment to H.R. 1, 02/18/2011)

·         Berkley voted against reining in frivolous lawsuits on public lands. (Lummis amendment to H.R. 1, 02/18/2011)

·         Berkley voted to authorize the National Landscape Conservation System Act (NLCS), a new protective designation for the BLM. (House Roll Call No. 174, 04/09/2008)

·         Voted against the Pearce amendment to protect grazers in the National Landscape Conservation System. (House Roll Call No. 172, 04/09/2008)

·         Voted against striking NEPA waivers and make it easier to log after a fire. (Rahall amendment to H.R. 4200, 05/17/2006)

·         Voted against reining in and reforming the Endangered Species Act. (House Roll Call No. 506, 09/29/2005)

·         Voted against a bill that would have allowed for better managements of forests, including thinning and fuels reduction. (The Healthy Forests Initiative, 05/20/2003)

·         Voted against streamlining NEPA for the development of renewable energy projects. (H.R. 4513, NEPA limitation for renewable energy projects, 6/15/2004)

·         Voted to expand the power of the Endangered Species Act by voting to take out language that prevented new listings. (Dicks/Fitzpatrick Amendment to H.R. 2584, 7/28/2011)

·         Voted against a bill that would allow for logging and better fire management in National Forests.  (H.R 4200, Walden Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act, House Roll Call No. 151, 5/17/2006)

·         Voted to prevent access in national forests for active forest management (exempted any provision in the bill from applying to so-called “roadless” areas) (Inslee amendment to H.R. 4200, 5/17/2006)

Berkley insulted Nevada’s rural counties and one of its most important industries saying, “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)

Berkley also lobbied against representing the rural areas, saying she only wants to represent urban Las Vegas: “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)