Nevada senators argue for aid

Cortez Masto says some Republican leaders are ‘not listening’

WASHINGTON — Nevada’s Democratic senators argued Wednesday for federal funds to help states and cities grappling with the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus as Senate Republican leaders and the White House have ignored requests for aid.

The issue has divided the Senate GOP caucus as Republican governors, mayors and officeholders are clamoring for assistance as tax revenues plummet because of shuttered businesses.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-nev., said Republican leaders who claim there is no urgency to pass another coronavirus relief bill are “not listening to the governors or the mayors or the local governments.”

Cortez Masto said she and Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-nev., have talked with mayors of both parties throughout the state who say relief is needed quickly to provide help for police, sanitation, teachers, package deliveries, health care and other needed services.

Rosen said another component of reopening the economy and trying to bring back businesses and jobs will require money for testing and contact tracing for health care and front-line workers in communities.

The comments were made during a teleconference arranged by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041.

Harry Schiffman, an electrician at UNLV and president of AFSCME Local 4041, said public service workers were key to reopening the economy and helping the state get back to normal.

“We can do neither if we lay them off,” Schiffman said.

Nevada cities back aid

Three Nevada municipalities — Las Vegas, Reno and Henderson — have backed efforts by the U.S. Conference of Mayors to get funding for cities included in relief legislation.

Reno has estimated that it could see a $6.5 million shortfall in 2020 and $20 million in 2021.

Henderson has struggled with obtaining supplies to address COVID-19 infections, while Nevada has seen unemployment of more than 28 percent.

Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, has estimated budget shortfalls of up to $900 million in this fiscal year, and up to $2 billion in the next fiscal year.

“That is something that we have to focus on and ensure at the federal level that we are providing much-needed relief to our state and local governments,” Cortez Masto said.

Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@ reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.