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Archive for the 'Planning for the Future' Category

The next rodeo

“So are you going to run again?” It’s a question I’ve been getting ever since the end of session last summer. In the euphoria of feeling like I had just finished a marathon with flying colors, the answer came easy, “of course.”

Nevada NewsMakers

Check out my interview from yesterday’s Nevada NewsMakers where I discuss the Governor’s budget cuts, renewable energy and the need to diversify Nevada’s economy with Sam Shad and Scott Craigie.
Nevada NewsMakers, March 3, 2008: Zipped wmv, 56mb, Zipped wmv, 8mb

Legislative wrap up

With plenty of wrap up articles available online, here’s a brief overview of how my legislative agenda fared over the course of the legislative session…

State of the State

Last night Governor Gibbons delivered his State of the State address. If you missed it on T.V., you can still watch the address or read it.
Here are just a few of my thoughts following the Governor’s address:
Water
The Governor has proposed a study of our water resources and I look forward to this discussion on how […]

Our energy future

Hot off the heals of an opinion from the Las Vegas Sun (”Energy plan long overdue”) comes an article in today’s Nevada Appeal, “Nevada lawmakers to get batch of energy proposals.” Details and links after the jump…

Planning for the future: Academic Standards Council appointment

One reason I ran for office was my desire to better prepare Nevada students for the jobs of tomorrow. In addition to bringing this focus to the halls of the legislative building starting next month, I’ve been given the privilege to serve on Nevada’s Council to Establish Academic Standards.
Born out of Nevada legislative reforms in […]

Schools (and Richard Scary books) for the 21st century

CNN.com this morning has a preview of an article appearing this week in Time magazine: How to bring schools into 21st century. The thesis:
Right now we’re aiming too low. Competency in reading and math — the focus of so much No Child Left Behind testing — is the meager minimum. Scientific and technical skills are, […]

Planning for the future: Why we need full-day kindergarten

While walking door to door yesterday I met a single mother of three struggling to provide for her family, raise her kids and better herself through education. Her oldest child, entering kindergarten this year, was just accepted to the full-day program at the local elementary school and is well on his way to becoming a bright student.

School funding adequacy study completed: Nevada falls short of ‘adequate’ for student achievement

An interim legislative panel received results today from a commissioned study on the adequacy of school financing in Nevada. The conclusion? Nevada needs to do more to bring student achievement up to adequate levels.
As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal this afternoon:
Thursday’s report is considered important by many lawmakers because it will frame the debate on […]

Planning for the future: back to school and getting ready for full-day kindergarten

The Reno Gazette-Journal has a story today on schools and their preparations to offer full-day kindergarten this coming school year: “Schools gear for full-day kindergarten.” Presented with compelling testimony as to its value, the Legislature in 2005 allocated $22 million for full-day kindergarten at elementary schools with at least 55 percent of students on free or reduced-price lunches. Parents with kids at such schools are excited about the program. Says Glenn Duncan Elementary parent…