Ensign puts presidential politics over Nevada's needs

Sen. John Ensign was one of only seven senators to vote against a critical transportation bill today that included nearly $20 million for Nevada transportation and housing projects.

“Sen. Ensign is on the road to irrelevance unless he understands that Nevadans want immediate help with our growing traffic problem,” said Kirsten Searer, deputy executive director of the Nevada Democratic Party.  “With just seven senators voting against the transportation funding, we can only guess he is covering for President Bush, who has threatened to veto the bill.”

In Southern Nevada, the bill includes funds to widen the I-15/I-215 interchange North to Apex, widen the Blue Diamond Highway, improve Lake Mead Parkway, and construct beltway interchanges connecting the Beltway to US Highway 95.  In Northern Nevada, it will construct the Meadowood Interchange on I-580/US 395, and study improvements to I-80 at Vista Blvd. and McCarran Blvd.

The bill also includes money for employment and training centers in Nevada, plus money to increase safety measures at McCarran International Airport and Carson City Airport, and build affordable housing to first-time home buyers in Reno.