Perkins urges more help for Guardsmen

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | 9:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state should help pay the bills of Nevada's National Guardsmen who were called to active duty since 9/11, Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins said Monday.

On the day the nation honors its fallen servicemen and women , the Senate Finance Committee heard testimony on the Patriot Relief Act that would provide $500,000 in each of the next two years to alleviate the hardships faced by those who had to give up their jobs for the armed forces. "Nevada is responsible for the Guardsmen," Perkins, D-Henderson, told the committee that was examining Assembly Bill 376, sponsored by the speaker.

The bill provides up to $200 a year for a Guardsman called to active duty to purchase a government life insurance policy that would provide up to $250,000. The bill also sets up a $300,000-a-year fund to help Guardsmen or their families who encounter economic hardships,along with a waiver of sales tax.

AB376 also would pay for the textbooks needed to attend college. There is already a bill that provides for a waiver of tuition.

State employees who are called to active duty already receive a supplement from the state to make up what for salaries lost.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, noted he has introduced Senate Bill 355 to give a bonus of $250 to $500 a month to Guardsmen and Reservists who serve in "military expeditions or operations to combat terrorism" after 9/11. His bill would cost $21.6 million next fiscal year, according to the Department of the Military.

Coffin asked Perkins if he would permit SB355 to be amended into the Assembly Bill, but Perkins said he didn't want the Coffin bill if it meant his legislation would die.

The committee did not take action.