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#NVSen Update: Berkley’s 1996 Ethics Flap & U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Reno Endorse Dean Heller
In Nevada, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the GOP has revived Shelley Berkley’s 1996 ethics flap, where she told the Chairman of the Las Vegas Sands that he should buy off judges and county commissioners. It was only a matter of time before Republicans rolled this out but Crossroads GPS is on the air today with a commercial that resurrects a Shelley Berkley ethics run-in from her days as a Las Vegas casino attorney. … Berkley served as a vice president for legal and governmental affairs at Las Vegas Sands Inc., working for chairman Sheldon Adelson as the casino magnate was building his flagship Venetian resort on the Strip. … In June 1998, old Sands memos surfaced as well as a taped phone call in which Berkley was recorded saying she recommended Adelson offer favors to then-Clark County commissioners Erin Kenny and Yvonne Atkinson Gates to help complete the Venetian. One Berkley memo to Adelson from September 1996 recommended making campaign contributions to Las Vegas judges because “they tend to help those who have helped them.” “If we want to be able to continue contacting the judges when we need to, I strongly urge that we donate to the judges I recommended,” the memo said in part.
- Meanwhile, Politico’s Morning Score reports that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada will endorse Dean Heller and his pro-jobs campaign.U.S. Chamber official and former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will make an announcement regarding Senator Dean Heller’s re-election campaign at a small business in Sparks, Nevada, today. The Chamber of Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada will co-host the event to ‘highlight Senator Heller’s record of cutting spending, promoting free enterprise and fighting the taxes, regulations, and mandates that are strangling Nevada small businesses.’ The Chamber’s national political director Rob Engstrom: ‘ Nevada’s Senate race will determine whether we have a pro-business majority in the U.S. Senate, whether free enterprise leads our country, and will establish the course of our country for decades to come.’ The Chamber hasn’t officially endorsed Heller yet.
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
Joins U.S. Chamber of Commerce & the Chamber of Reno, Sparks, & Northern NV to Endorse Dean Heller
Press Availability at Sparks Florist Today
(Las Vegas, NV) – Today at 10:00 a.m PT, former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will represent the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a formal endorsement of Dean Heller in Nevada’s U.S. Senate race. The Chamber of Reno, Sparks, and Northern Nevada will also endorse Dean Heller at the event.
WHAT: U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Reno, Sparks, and
Northern Nevada endorse Dean Heller.
WHO: Dean Heller, United States Senator
Margaret Spellings, Former United States Secretary of Education
Tony Fiannaca, owner, Sparks Florist
Tray Abney, The Chamber
WHEN: Today, August 9th from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. PT
WHERE: Sparks Florist
1001 Pyramid Way
Sparks, NV 89431
Margaret Spellings served as U.S. Secretary of Education from 2005 to 2009. She is a senior advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and President of its Forum for Policy Innovation. As President, Spellings oversees the Chamber’s three non-profit foundations: the National Chamber Foundation (NCF), the Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and the Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) which promotes the rigorous educational standards and effective job training systems needed to preserve the strength of America’s workforce.
#NVSen: Harry Reid Front Group Keeps Pushing False Attacks on Taxes, Medicare
New Ad Attacks Dean Heller for Voting to Protect 6,000 Jobs
(Las Vegas, NV) – Harry Reid’s front group Patriot Majority is out with another round of false attacks, this time making inaccurate statements about Dean Heller’s record on taxes in addition to the usual attempts to scare seniors about their Medicare. While Dean Heller voted to protect 6,000 Nevada jobs, Shelley Berkley has consistently fought to raise taxes and destroy American businesses.
“With nearly 164,000 Nevadans unemployed, seven-term Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted for tax hikes that could cost 6,000 Nevada jobs, raise taxes on Nevada’s small business owners in a recession, and supported $500 billion in cuts for Medicare. And Shelley Berkley claims she is looking out for the middle class?
“So far, Congresswoman Berkley has based her entire campaign on false attacks and the ‘Lie of the Year’ in a sad and desperate attempt to distract from her failed policies,” said Chandler Smith, Heller for Senate spokeswoman.
Dean Heller voted against tax hikes that would have a devastating effect on Nevada’s and the nation’s economy:
· Dean Heller has never voted to raise taxes on the middle-class.
· Shelley Berkley and her Democratic allies are urging Congress to pass tax hikes at a time when nearly 164,000 Nevadans are unemployed.
· Meanwhile, Dean Heller voted against a tax hike that could destroy 6,000 jobs in Nevada and as many as 710,000 jobs nationwide. (S. 3412, July 25, 2012; Robert Carroll and Gerald Prante, “Long-Run Macroeconomic Impact of Increasing Tax Rates on High-Income Taxpayers in 2013,” Ernst & Young, July 2012, Appendix C;)
· And according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, 940,000 small businesses would get hit by Democrats’ latest tax hike. “So the 2013 tax cliff is a big enough economic problem that President Obama now wants to postpone it for some taxpayers. But it isn’t so big that he’s willing to curb his desire to raise taxes on tens of thousands of job-creating businesses.” (Editorial, “Off the Tax Cliff He Goes,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/12/2012)
Shelley Berkley is the candidate in this race who voted to cut $500 billion out of the Medicare program – and that became law.
- Shelley Berkley also created a panel of 15 unelected bureaucrats that have the power to deny health care for seniors. (House Vote 165 – HR 3590, HR3590, March 21, 2010)
· ObamaCare puts Medicare Advantage benefits at risk, including for 110,000 Nevadans: “Seniors in a number of states risk losing their Medicare Advantage benefits because of cuts in President Obama’s healthcare reform law, according to a new report from Avalere. The law contains about $200 billion in direct and indirect cuts to private Medicare plans through 2017.” (Julian Pecquet, “Report: Healthcare law cuts put Medicare Advantage benefits at risk in some states,” The Hill’s Healthwatch Blog, 3/12/12)
· Shelley Berkley voted for a 2% cut from the Medicare program which would restrict seniors’ access to care: Sequestration as a result of the Budget Control Act would require Medicare cuts of up to $11 billion a year (about $140 billion over ten years) if deficit reduction targets are not reached (RC #123, 112th Congress, 1st Session).
- In fact, Dean Heller has repeatedly voted to preserve the Medicare program, voting against $1.6 trillion in proposed Medicare cuts. (RC #787, 110th 1st Session; RC #165, 111th Congress, 2nd Session; RC #123, 112th Congress, 1st Session).
#NVSen Update: Crossroads GPS is Up with a New Ad Going After Shelley Berkley for Abusing Her Office
In Nevada, Politico’s Morning Score reports that Crossroads GPS is up with a new ad reminding Nevadans that before Shelley Berkley got to Washington, she advised her boss in a Vegas casino to buy off judges and county commissioners with campaign contributions. Shelley Berkley (is) under investigation for abusing her office, and the industry Berkley did favors for is still showering her with cash. It’s not surprising. Before she came to Congress, Berkley urged her boss at a Vegas casino to buy off judges and politicians with favors and campaign cash. Wrong then; wrong now. A disturbing pattern of unethical behavior. Shelley Berkley: everything that’s wrong with Washington.
#NVSen: Heller Speaks Jobs and the Economy
(Washington, D.C.) – On the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) spoke about jobs, the economy, and the importance of small businesses.
“No state has felt the brunt of this recession like the State of Nevada. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about what can be done to create jobs and get our economy moving. In order to help small businesses thrive again, we must tear down the barriers to growth and opportunity and launch this great nation into its next great chapter.”
140+ Veterans Rally Behind Dean Heller
Veterans for Heller Coalition Keeps Growing
(Las Vegas, NV) – More than 140 Nevada veterans have thrown their support behind Dean Heller in the race for United States Senate. These men and women will work to elect Dean Heller in the coming months.
“I’m humbled by the support of so many of our nation’s heroes. We can never repay these individuals for their service, but it is Congress’ responsibility to make sure those who have served in the Armed Forces receive the benefits they earned and deserve. I look forward to working together with these patriots in the coming months as we move toward victory in November. These men, women and their families have sacrificed so much on our behalf, which is why I am committed to continuing to serve them in the United States Senate,” said Dean Heller said when he first welcomed the coalition to the Heller for Senate team.
Dean Heller has established a long record of supporting veterans. Most recently, Dean Heller introduced the Veterans Small Business Protection Act, which ensures that surviving spouses and children are eligible for small business benefits.
In July, Heller also introduced the Women’s Homeless Veterans Act. This legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to set aside 15 percent of funds provided to VA’s Grant and Per Diem Program for homeless veterans with special needs. It also directs assistance to homeless female veterans as well as children.
Veterans for Heller Coalition includes:
| Jim Akers, USN | Sheila Lanzel, USAF |
| John Algeo, USMC | Glen Larsen, USMC |
| George Allison, USA | Adam Laxalt, USN |
| Clemens Altherr, USN | Darryl Lewis, USAF |
| CG Andress, USN | LTC Ron Lewis, USA (ret) |
| LTC William Anton, USA (ret) | CDR Kirk Lippold, USN (ret) |
| Herbert Barrett, USAF | Thomas Livoti, USN |
| Col Michael Bartley, USAF (ret) | CW4 Gregg Lubbe, USA (ret) |
| Tom Blanchard, USN | Neil Ludvigson, USAF |
| LtCol Richard Bowen, USMC (ret) | Col Sanford Mangold, USAF (ret) |
| Tom Boyd, USN | James Maples, USA |
| Tom Brennan, USA | Virgil Massey, USA |
| Greg Brower, USN | Thomas Mayo, USA |
| Joe Brown, USN | Fred McDougal, USA |
| Aaron Burnett, USAF | Paul McGrath, USMC |
| Kenneth Burrows, USA | Vet Wife Margaret McIsaac |
| MAJ H. “Treat” Cafferata, USA (ret) | Ralph McMullen, Nevada Air National Guard |
| RADM John Calvert, USN (ret) | Hugh McWatters, USMC |
| Maj John Cappel, USAF (ret) | John McMullen, USN |
| Donald Carney, USN | Kyle Meintzer, USAF |
| CDR Mike Carrigan, USN (ret) | SCPO Greg Mink, USN (ret) |
| CPT David Chamberlain, USA (ret) | COL Marvin Moss, USA (ret) |
| MSgt Ernest Chivers, USAF (ret) | Lt Col Patrick Murphy, USAF (ret) |
| Gordon Clare, USN | Shawn Nirdlinger, USMC |
| Maj Gen Drennan “Tony” Clark, USAF (ret) | Louis Novak, USA |
| CAPT Jim Clark, USN (ret) | Col Dan O’Donnell, USAF (ret) |
| Dr. Tyrus W. Cobb (COL-USA/Ret) | CAPT Carl Oldenburg, USN (ret) |
| Robert Coe, USN | Robert Orman, USMC |
| Rick Crain, USA | LTC Henry Osterhoudt, USA (ret) |
| CAPT Robert Crowell, USN (Ret) | Gage Parrish, USAF |
| Carter Dalke, USAF | ET Paulus, USAF |
| PJ Degross, Founder of Web of Support | Darrell Paye, USAF |
| John Delaberta, USAF | CAPT Phil Perine, USN (ret) |
| Dennis Dice, USAF | CDR Alan Power, USN (ret) |
| COL John DiGrazia, USA (ret) | Bobby Proctor, USA |
| Wesley Duncan, USAF | David Regan, USAF |
| Ronald Duntley, USN | Roger Reimer, USA |
| Chris Edwards, USN | Robert Reinheimer, USA |
| CDR Carol Evans, USN (ret) | Clarence Rindfleisch, USN |
| Col William Eveland, USAF (ret) | SSgt Dan Rivers, USAF (ret) |
| Joel Fairfield, USA | LtCol George Rivers, USMC (ret) |
| SCPO James Falk, USN (ret) | William Robbins, USMC |
| Edward Falkenstein, USA | Donald Robinson, USN |
| Col Bob Frank, USAF (ret) | Ernest Robles, USA |
| Darrell Fowler, USN | Mert Rumford, USA |
| Col Mark Foxwell, USAF (ret) | LTC Steven Saterlie, USA (ret) |
| SGM Don Gable, USA (ret) | Ernie Schoch, USAF |
| MAJ Dick Gammick, USA (ret) | Col Patrick Sheets, USAF (ret) |
| COL Dee Garder, USA (ret) | Eric Skinner, USAF |
| Maj Bob Garlow, USAF (ret) | Patt Solorzano, USAF |
| Brian Gaskill, USAF | 1st VP of Women’s Auxiliary Patricia Spagnolo |
| Lt Col Larry Geist, USAF (ret) | Maj Herb Steege, USAF (ret) |
| Salvador Gurgiolo, USA | Vet Wife Mary Stevens |
| Danny Hafelfinger, USN | LTC Dennis Tallant, USA (ret) |
| Howard Harris, USA | SMSgt David Talley, USAF (ret) |
| Martin Heiner, USA | Terry Tavernetti, USN |
| LTC Al Hendley, USA (ret) | Jeffrey Tino, USAF |
| CMSgt Robert Hiltz, USAF (ret) | Frank Titus, USN |
| Fred Horlacher, USA | Lt Col Victor Thomas, USAF (ret) |
| James Howerton, USAF | Norman Tornek, USAF |
| LTC William Jamieson, USA (ret) | William Vardoulis, USAF |
| Vern Jaquish, USN | Nelson Velazquez, USAF |
| Jerry Johnson, USAF | Lt Col Gail Vogel, USAF (ret) |
| Maj Gen LD Johnson, USAF (ret) | Danny Waldrop, USN |
| Robert Kaufmann, USMC | CAPT Leo Walsh, USN (ret) |
| Richard Kerzetski, USA | George Weller, USN |
| CDR Robert Kessler, USN (ret) | Howard Wick, USN |
| Maj Gen Cindy Kirkland, USAF (ret) | Richard Willey, USN |
| Assemblyman Randy Kirner, USA | Thomas Williams, USA |
| COL Kenneth Kleine, USA (ret) | Harvey Wool, USA |
| Kurt Kolbe, USN Reserves | Robert Zaniewski, USAF |
| CAPT Gary Kornish, USCG (ret) | James Zimbleman, USAF |
| Barry Lagan, USA National Guard |
###
#NVSen: Chamber of Commerce Likely to Endorse Heller Next Week
From The Hill:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will hold a press conference to “make an announcement” next Thursday “regarding Senator Heller’s reelection campaign,” they announced Friday, a sign they’re likely to endorse the Nevada Republican next week.
The likely endorsement isn’t a surprise — the group has already run ads attacking Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.). But it comes as a boost for Heller. The group has promised its most robust political program in history this year, and has followed up its other endorsements with major ad buys ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to more than $1 million in some states.
When asked if that meant an endorsement, a Chamber spokesperson would only say “you’ll have to stay tuned to Thursday’s event.”
#NVSen: Where Exactly Does Berkley Stand on Taxing Nevadans?
Her Inconsistent Votes This Week Leave Nevadans Confused
(Las Vegas, NV) – Seven-term Congresswoman Berkley has been sending mixed signals all week, leaving Nevadans wondering exactly what her position is when it comes to taxes. After her election-year flip flop on taxing job creators and then voting against reducing the estate tax, it’s time for Shelley Berkley to explain exactly how she thinks taxpayers’ dollars should be spent.
“What exactly are Congresswoman Berkley’s ideas when it comes to taxing Nevadans’ hard-earned dollars? We know she voted this week to raise taxes on job creators, but why the flip-flop? And does she or doesn’t she want to reduce the estate tax? Congresswoman Shelley Berkley’s votes this week are further proof that she consistently says one thing in Nevada but does another in Washington,” said Chandler Smith, Heller for Senate spokeswoman
Background:
Yesterday, Shelley Berkley voted against a plan that would allow Congress to address much-needed comprehensive tax reform more quickly. The legislation would also broaden the tax base and lower rates. (H.R. 6169, Roll Call Vote #552 , August 2, 2012)
On Wednesday, Shelley Berkley voted against legislation that would extend the 2001 and 2003 Bush-era tax cuts for those earning more than $250,000. (H.R. 8, House Roll Call Vote #545)
In 2010, Shelley Berkley voted to extend these very same tax cuts. (H.R. 4853, House Roll Call Vote #647, December 16, 2010)
On Wednesday, Shelley Berkley also voted against a plan that would prevent the estate tax from increasing to 55 percent. Instead, she voted for a plan that didn’t address the estate tax at all, which risks a mandatory increase. (H.R. 8, House Roll Call Vote #545)
But in April, Shelley Berkley championed her work on the estate tax at a meeting of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, saying she “wants to eliminate the estate tax, a popular Republican position.” (Cristina Silva, Rep. Berkley champions small businesses in Vegas, Associated Press, 4/11/12)
But then again, the Congresswoman has voted against reducing or eliminating the estate tax multiple times, including once when then-Congressman Heller proposed the motion.
[list type="arrow"] [li]
· In 1999, Berkley voted against a tax cut package that would reduce estate and gift taxes until they were completely eliminated in 2009. (House Vote 333 – HR 2488, July 22, 1999)
· In 2001, 2002 and 2003, Berkley voted to replace a bill that would repeal the estate tax by 2010 with different legislation bill that would either keep or raise the estate tax. (House Vote 82 – HR 8, April 04, 2001; House Vote 217 – HR 2143, June 06, 2002; House Vote 287 – HR 8, June 18, 2003)
· In 2007, Berkley voted against a motion to permanently repeal the estate tax. (House Vote 959 – HR 3056, October 10, 2007)
· In 2009, Berkley voted against repealing the estate tax two times, once when then-Congressman Dean Heller proposed the motion. (House Vote 928 – HR 4154, House Vote 927 – HR 4154, December 3, 2009)
[/li] [/list]
#NVSen Update: Harry Reid’s Guilty Until Proven Innocent Theory Further Damaged his Liberal Protégée, Embattled Congresswoman Shelley Berkley
The NRSC reminded Nevadans that Harry Reid’s guilty until proven innocent theory further damaged his liberal protégée, embattled Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. As the Washington Examiner reports: Reid’s presumption of guilt theory stops at the party line, though. The National Republican Senatorial Committee jumped on the inconsistency. “Given Reid’s belief that one is guilty until proven innocent, then according to his logic he must believe Congresswoman Shelley Berkeley is guilty of using her office to enrich herself,” said NRSC spokesman Jahan Wilcox. Wilcox was referring to Reid’s steadfast support for Berkeley – a candidate for U.S. Senate – in the face of charge that she used her position as a Member of Congress to prevented the closure of a hospital that had a contract with her husband. The move has provoked an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
- Meanwhile, Politico’s Morning Score reports that Dean Heller released his first Spanish-language ad, which reminds voters that Shelley Berkley took credit for legislation she didn’t even write. “Sen. Dean Heller’s campaign released its first Spanish-language ad this week, an attack on opponent Shelley Berkley called ‘Credit’ that … questions Berkley’s integrity, arguing that she has taken credit for legislation she did not author and has repeatedly attacked Heller with a claim she knows to be false.”
#NVSen: Huh? Berkley Suddenly Claims She Opposes Panel Of Bureaucrats to Ration Medicare After Voting for It Over and Over and Over again
Huh?
Berkley Suddenly Claims She Opposes Panel Of Bureaucrats to Ration Medicare After Voting for It Over and Over and Over again
(Las Vegas, NV) – If Congresswoman Berkley had reservations about creating a panel of fifteen Washington bureaucrats and handing them power to deny Medicare benefits for seniors, she certainly did nothing to stop it. That’s why it was news to Nevadans that today she claimed to be against the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), even after she voted for it over and over again.
Berkley’s Words: “Like Dean Heller, Shelley Berkley believes that Congress is better equipped to address patient care than an independent board.” – Shelley Berkley spokeswoman (Anjeanette Damon, “Attacks aside, Heller and Berkley actually agree philosophically on Medicare,” Las Vegas Sun, August 2, 2012)
(Editor’s Note: Dean Heller does not believe Congress is equipped to address patient care. He believes doctors are.)
Berkley’s Action: Shelley Berkley sat in the Majority Party on the very committee that wrote the health care bill. And still, she did nothing to stop or change it. She offered no amendments, no objections, nothing. If she didn’t like the Independent Payment Advisory Board, she did nothing to keep it from becoming the law of the land.
Berkley’s Action: Shelley Berkley voted for final for passage of ObamaCare, which created the panel in the first place. (House Vote 165 – HR 3590, HR3590, March 21, 2010)
Berkley’s Action: Shelley Berkley doubled-down on her support for IPAB and voted against repealing ObamaCare. (House Vote 14 – HR 2, HR2, January 19, 2011)
Berkley’s Action: Shelley Berkley had the opportunity to leave the health care law mostly intact, and vote specifically to repeal IPAB. Still, she voted to the party-line, and voted to keep the panel in place. (House Vote – HR 5 Roll Call Vote 126, March 22, 2012)
#NVSen: Harry Reid’s Guilty Until Proven Innocent Theory Further Damages Embattled Congresswoman Berkley
By Reid’s Logic, Shelley Berkley Used Her Office To Enrich Herself, Until She Proves Otherwise
WASHINGTON — After calling the President of the United States a loser and the Federal Reserve Chairman a political hack, yesterday Harry Reid sunk to a new low when he hurled the baseless claim that Governor Mitt Romney hasn’t paid taxes in 10 years.
Reid’s undignified statement is remarkable, given that he’s claimed that his liberal protégé, embattled Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is innocent, despite the fact that 5 of her Democrat colleagues believe that it’s very possible the Congresswoman used her office to enrich herself.
“Once again Democrat Leader Harry Reid has embarrassed himself, the State of Nevada and his Democrat colleagues in the U.S. Senate by hurling a wild accusation that he cannot verify,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “Given Reid’s belief that one is guilty until proven innocent, then according to his logic he must believe Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is guilty of using her office to enrich herself.”
