Weekly Update from Senator John Ensign
March 10 - March 17, 2008: Democrat Budget Will Increase Taxes for Millions, Secretary of Health and Human Services in Reno, Discussed Priorities with Nevada Cities, Delegation Meeting on Health Crisis, and the Nation’s Capitol Seeks Sculptors for Competition

Democrat Budget Will Increase Taxes for Millions
I voted against the Democrats tax-and-spend budget this week in an effort to save thousands of dollars for hard-working families, seniors, and small businesses. However, Democrats adhered to party lines and pushed forward with their budget that increases spending by more than $200 billion. Please follow the links below for my comments on this budget.

ENSIGN VOTES AGAINST TAX-AND-SPEND BUDGET

Secretary of Health and Human Services in Reno
Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, visited Reno this week. At the University of Nevada Reno, Secretary Leavitt held an event to discuss electronic medical records, an issue I have fought for in the United States Senate. I appreciate Secretary Leavitt’s efforts to implement the best of today’s technology into our healthcare system. Electronic medical records are a critical step toward improving health care in our state and across the nation.

Discussed Priorities with Nevada Cities
I sat down with delegates from the Nevada League of Cities this week. The goal of their organization is to meet with elected representatives periodically to convey matters of legislative importance. At this meeting, we discussed how to meet Nevada’s energy and transportation needs, along with Nevada disaster relief issues stemming from the Fernley flood and recent Wells earthquake. The mortgage crisis, affecting Nevadans across the state, was also a topic addressed at the meeting. My staff and I will continue to work with these delegates and their cities to address their needs.

Delegation Meeting on Health Crisis
This week, I met with the Nevada Congressional Delegation to discuss the public health crisis currently unraveling in Nevada. Obviously the news of such widespread negligence in our healthcare community is incredibly alarming and has shed light on possible widespread unsafe medical practices. I urge all those who may be affected by this to be tested as soon as possible. Local and national health officials are working closely with the Nevada Delegation to address the issues uncovered and to begin rebuilding the public’s trust in Nevada’s health care.

Nation’s Capitol Seeks Sculptors for Competition
The National Endowment for the Arts is urging sculptors across the nation to compete for the commission of a statue of Rosa Parks. The statue will be placed in the United States Capitol’s Statuary Hall; our state’s statue of Patrick McCarran also resides there. This incredible opportunity will allow the chosen artist to leave his or her mark in the Capitol building by honoring the incredible contributions Rosa Parks made to this country during the Civil Rights Movement. I encourage all Nevadans interested in this amazing opportunity to submit their proposals to www.arts.gov. Submissions must be made within 90 days from the first week of March.

Sincerely, John Ensign United States Senator