Washington news briefs for October 13, 2000

Friday, Oct. 13, 2000 | 10:28 a.m.

Senate approves measures for VA, HUD, pay raise

WASHINGTON --The Senate on Thursday passed two spending bills, including the budget bill for the departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.

That bill includes $1.25 million for city of Henderson downtown redevelopment and infrastructure upgrades; $500,000 for the Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club for renovation and building expansion; $350,000 for the Las Vegas Opportunity Village Foundation to assist elderly and disabled with housing costs; and $1 million for Moapa Valley Water District infrastructure.

Sens. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid, both D-Nev., voted for the bill, which still awaits House approval.

The Senate also approved a bill that funds the government's legislative and treasury branches. It includes funding for congressional operations and includes a $3,800 pay raise for members of Congress to $145,100, effective in January. Bryan voted against the bill; Reid voted for it.

The House already passed the bill. Clinton's signature is expected.

Gibbons faults Democrats for Washoe school site

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., on Thursday blasted Democrats for blocking legislation that would have conveyed 8.7 acres of U.S. Forest Service land at Lake Tahoe to the Washoe County School District.

The district wanted the land to build a second elementary school in Incline Village.

The bill failed on a largely party line vote 248-160, winning a simple majority but failing to garner the necessary two-thirds majority. Only 42 Democrats supported the bill, among them Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.

The bill would have allowed the district to buy the land at a much cheaper rate than market value, roughly $3 million to $4 million. Many of those who voted against the bill said they wanted the district to reimburse taxpayers for the land's fair market value.

Residents at Incline Village at Lake Tahoe's north shore have been complaining about their crowded elementary school for years. Gibbons pledged an attempt to bring the bill back to the House floor next week under rules that call for a simple majority vote for passage.

Reid, Republicans to duel over Congress' future

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Minority Whip David Bonior, D-Mich., will square off against Republican foes Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Rep. J.C. Watts Jr., R-Okla., in a televised debate from 9 to 10 p.m. Sunday on KLVX Channel 10.

Debate topics will be which party will control Congress next year -- after the elections -- and how Congress and the new president will get along.

The debate will follow a live exchange between Senate candidates Democrat Ed Bernstein and Republican John Ensign, from 8 to 9 p.m.