May 22, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today released the following statement on the news that Nevada’s unemployment rate increased to 10.6 percent in April.

“It’s clear that we are still going through some very difficult times and that Nevadans are struggling.  My thoughts are with all those who lost their jobs and are worried about how they are going to make that next house payment and buy groceries, while trying to find a new job.

“We’ve been working hard over the last few months to take steps to create jobs, protect consumers from abusive lending practices and restore consumer confidence.  We’re just now starting to see signs that this is working.  In recent weeks, casino executives have talked about the increase in hotel occupancy rates and a rise in convention bookings.  In fact, earlier this month, major corporations including IBM and Southwest Airlines brought thousands of employees to Las Vegas for employee appreciation and business events.

“While the coming months still present challenges, I will continue fighting to create good-paying jobs by making Nevada the nation’s renewable energy leader, keep struggling Nevadans in their homes and strengthen the national economy so people can have more money in their pockets to travel to Nevada.”