May '08 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

House Unanimously Approves Berkley “Justin Bailey Act”

Legislation Honors Memory of Las Vegas Iraq Veteran

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley named in honor of late Las Vegas Marine Justin Bailey. The bill will help improve and expand mental health services through the Veterans Administration (VA), including more treatment programs for substance use disorders.

“Passage of The Justin Bailey Act will help to ensure we have the mental health resources and substance abuse treatment programs needed to care for our veterans. The assessments required in my bill will help tell us how well the VA is performing and what we can do to improve these services, including expanded availability at VA hospitals. The availability of treatment for PTSD, including substance use disorder counseling, saves lives and this issue must remain a top priority as we continue to welcome troops home from combat,” said Berkley, who serves as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The Justin Bailey Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008, HR 5554, is named in honor of late Marine Lance Corporal Justin Bailey, a 1998 graduate of Las Vegas High School who served in Iraq. Bailey, who was diagnosed with PTSD following his return from active duty, sought substance abuse treatment through the VA. The 27-year-old veteran died while receiving care at a VA clinic in Los Angeles. The bill requires that VA ensure its medical centers provide ready access to a full continuum of care for substance use disorders for veterans in need of such care.

“The comprehensive review required in my bill will help to ensure our newest veterans receive proper care when they turn to the VA, including vital mental health services. And it will require this care be available at all VA medical center locations. We continue to mourn the loss of Las Vegas veteran Justin Bailey, and the goal of this legislation named in his honor is to ensure proper and effective mental health care services and treatment for the men and women who bravely served our nation in the armed forces,” said Berkley.

The Justin Bailey Act is needed, said Berkley, to ensure that VA facilities are equipped to deliver mental health care services to veterans of all ages, including U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Studies have shown that as many as one in five veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are experiencing PTSD and as a result, some of these men and women may also become dependent on alcohol or drugs. That is why we must take the necessary steps to ensure that veterans can receive treatment through the VA for substance use disorders and that the care they are given is safe and effective,” said Berkley.

The Justin Bailey Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008 also requires a comprehensive review and report that will include the following:

A description of the availability of care in residential mental health care facilities in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN).

An assessment of the supervision and support provided in the residential mental health care facilities of the Veterans Health Administration.

Evaluation of the ratio of staff members at each residential mental health care facility to patients at such facility.

An assessment of the appropriateness of rules and procedures for the prescription and administration of medications to patients in such residential mental health care facilities.

A description of the protocols at each residential mental health care facility for handling missed appointments.

Any recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate for improvements to such residential mental health care facilities and the care provided in such facilities.

Berkley Votes For Better GI Bill

Modernizes Educational Benefits

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted in favor a new GI Bill that will provide full college scholarships to returning service members. As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Berkley has fought to enhance educational opportunities and resources for current vets and the men and women serving in America’s armed forces.

“I am proud to support this modernization of the GI bill which will give more of our troops the financial assistance they need to pay for college or advanced technical training,” said Berkley. “Our plan fully restores education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to the level available after World War II and it honors the promise we made to our men and women in military uniform. Enhancing educational benefits will give our returning troops the tools they need to succeed in the workplace, including careers outside or inside the U.S. military.”

Congresswoman Berkley also urged the White House not to veto the legislation which has the support of major veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

“I am disappointed that President Bush and his allies in Congress would even question the need to improve and expand the educational benefits provided to our armed forces through the GI Bill. There is no excuse for anyone to stand in the way of this effort and I would hope that the White House would change course and support our efforts to expand educational opportunities for those serving in the U.S. military, especially our National Guard and Reserve,” said Berkley.

The new GI bill restores full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II.

Under the bill, servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served three years on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Berkley Votes To Extend Tax Relief, Clean Energy Incentives

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted in favor of a legislative package that provides tax relief to Nevada families and businesses, while encouraging the production and use of renewable energy. A member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley used her power on the panel to help push for the inclusion of more incentives for clean power and an extension of the state sales tax deduction. The Ways and Means Committee approved the package this afternoon on a vote of 25-12.

“Homeowners, parents, teachers, small businesses, college students and millions of other Americans will see a tax savings as a result of this package. Passage of this package will also ensure that Nevadans will be able to continue deducting state and local sales taxes. And it will make it easier for more parents to qualify for the $1,000 refundable child tax credit,” said Berkley. “As a result of this provision, 22,000 more Nevada parents are now eligible to receive this tax credit and more than 90,000 households with children could see an increased tax savings.”

“Expanding clean energy incentives will spur the development of solar, wind and geothermal resources and help to create new green collar jobs in Nevada. The Silver State is turning green as we continue to focus on harnessing the wind, the sun and natural heat from inside the Earth to power our homes and businesses. Expanding the use of renewable energy will also play a key role in allowing the U.S. to move ahead on addressing global climate change,” said Berkley.

Tax Relief for Nevada Families and Businesses

· Extends the state sales tax deduction, directly benefiting Nevada families

· Extends deduction for tuition and other education expenses

· Extends deduction for out-of-pocket expenses by teachers

· Extends the R and D tax credit for businesses

· OK’s deduction of property taxes for non-itemizers

· Expands the refundable child tax credit

Expanding Renewable Power, Increasing Energy Independence

· Extends solar energy investment tax credit (ITC)

· Extends the production tax credit (PTC) for wind power and energy derived from geothermal, hydropower, landfill gas, biomass, and solid waste

· Encourages energy efficient products, such as plug-in hybrid cars, and provides incentives for energy conservation in both commercial buildings and residential structures

· Provides incentives for the production of renewable fuels such as biodiesel and cellulosic biofuels

· Authorizes tax credit bonds providing State and local government with funds to make energy conservation investments in public infrastructure and invest in research

Berkley Votes to Give NV Families & Businesses Added Tax Relief; Says Yes to Clean Energy Incentives

Protects Sales Tax Deduction for 345,000 NV Taxpayers,

Expands $1,000 Child Tax Credit

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley voted to protect tax savings for Nevada families and businesses and to extend incentives to encourage the production and use of more renewable energy. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley wielded her power on the panel to help ensure that clean power incentives and an extension of the state sales tax deduction were included in the legislative package passed by the House this afternoon on a vote of 263-160.

“This package provides Nevada families and businesses with added tax relief and extends incentives for the production of more clean renewable energy,” said Berkley. “This legislation also ensures that Nevadans can continue deducting state and local sales taxes. More than 345,000 Nevada taxpayers claimed this deduction last year and my vote will mean continued tax savings for small businesses and for families working harder than ever to keep a roof overhead and food on the table.”

Included in the bill are incentives to promote the production of solar, wind and geothermal energy.

The legislation also makes it easier for more Nevadans to claim the child tax credit.

“We have made it easier for parents to qualify for the $1,000 refundable child tax credit,” said Berkley. “As a result, 22,000 more Nevada parents will become eligible to receive the child tax credit and more than 90,000 households with children could see increased tax savings that will help cover the cost of this vital care,” said Berkley.

Additionally, the package extends deductions for homeowners, for teachers who purchase learning tools and other classroom items and for higher education costs.

“We have included tax relief for homeowners who do not itemize their deductions. Under our bill, they can now deduct up to $700 of property taxes in addition to the standard deduction,” said Berkley. “Nevadans attending UNLV or another college or university will also benefit from the higher education tuition deduction included in this package. And we protect the tax credit for teachers who reach into their own pockets to pay for learning tools and other classroom supplies. Last year Nevada educators were able to deduct more than $6 million from their taxes and this extension will enable these hard working men and women to get back a portion of these out-of-pocket dollars,” Berkley said.

Tax Relief for Nevada Families and Businesses

· Extends the state sales tax deduction -- utilized by 345,000 Nevadans

· Expands the refundable child tax credit -- benefits 118,000 Nevada kids

· Extends deduction for tuition and other education expenses -- utilized by 32,000 Nevadans

· Extends deduction for out-of-pocket expenses by teachers -- tapped by nearly 24,000 educators in the Silver State