New legislation gives significant help to Nevada college students trying to obtain an education by cutting the interest rate on federally backed student loans by 50%, down to 3.4% from 6.8%.  The legislation increases the amount of money included in the Pell Grant to $4,800 a year in 2008, then up to $5,400 dollars a year by 2012 and capping student loan payments at 15% of monthly discretionary income along with providing loan forgiveness for students who engage in public service or join the military after graduation

Democrats fulfilled their promise to the people made in 2006 to clean up government.  A new Democratic bill creates transparency in government by:

a) Requiring lobbyists to report their activities every three months in an electronic format, to be immediately posted on the internet.

b) Banning all gifts from lobbyists to lawmaker and their staff.

c) Tightening provisions regarding congressional travel junkets paid for by lobbyists

d) Requiring disclosure of the sponsor of “earmarks” attached to bills to be posted on the internet 48 hours before final approval of appropriations to tax bills.

Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Shelley Berkley fought for millions in funds to:

1. Widen the I-15/I-215 interchange North to Apex.
2. Widen the Blue Diamond Highway (S.R. 160)
3. Make improvements to Lake Mead parkway.
4. Construct beltway interchanges connecting the Beltway to US Highway 95.
5. Construct the Meadowood Interchange on I-580/US 395 in Northern Nevada.
6. Study improvements to I-80 at Vista Blvd. and McCarran Blvd. in Washoe County

Democrats believe we need to support the troops while they are enlisted and honor our promises to them once they leave the service. 

Nevada has one or the largest veterans populations in the country – 16 percent of our residents are veterans.

Our Democratic Congressional delegation recently helped pass the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Administration Appropriations Act , which will funnel $341 million to Nevada in order to facilitate the construction of a veterans’ hospital in Las Vegas.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act passed with the strong support of Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. 

“This is the single biggest investment in college aid since the passage of the GI bill and I am proud we have delivered on our pledge to lower the cost of higher education for more American families.  As a former Nevada University Regent, and a proud UNLV graduate, I have seen first hand the doors a higher education opens for men and women of all ages, and this important legislation will help more Americans earn their college diplomas,” said Berkley.