Gibbons fails to address need to get more federal dollars for education

February 16, 2010

 Washington, D.C.—Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement about the special session of the Nevada’ state Legislature:

"I am very disappointed that Governor Gibbons has not included addressing Nevada's eligibility to qualify for the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top funding in his agenda for the special session of the state Legislature. Last year, I urged the governor and our state legislators to remove all barriers preventing Nevada from competing for up to $150 million in federal education funds. Nevada teachers, superintendents from all seventeen school districts, and legislators from both sides of the aisle expressed their strong support for ensuring that Nevada would be eligible to compete for these much-needed funds. Regrettably, Nevada remains the only state in the nation not eligible to apply for federal funds.

"After delaying a decision that prevented our state from applying for the first round in January, Governor Gibbons finally committed to addressing this issue in a special session of the Legislature. But, it appears he changed his mind. Now, after offering an agenda that would devastate education in Nevada, the governor has failed Nevada students by not committing to address eligibility for Race to the Top. While other states prepare to compete for millions in federal funds, the governor's lack of leadership will only continue to harm Nevada's students."