Editorial: Helping the homeless

Friday, March 30, 2007 | 7:14 a.m.

Among the bills making their way through the Legislature that should be immune from the budget-cutting talk in Carson City is Assembly Bill 126.

The bill would give local governments $20 million over the next two years to help find housing to move homeless people off the streets and provide other services during the transition. Officials in Clark and Washoe counties support the bill.

While some local leaders, such as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, like to dismiss homelessness, saying many people on the streets just don't want the help, the real problem is that there is not enough help for the homeless.

The Associated Press reported that James Walker, who was homeless for a decade, told the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday that it is difficult for the homeless to "get the things we need because we are so afraid to get it."

A program in Southern Nevada helped him recover from his drug addiction and find a job and a house, and this bill would provide more of that type of help.

"I'm going to be a productive citizen again," he said. "It would be a larger tragedy for there to be no room for others to follow me."

While lawmakers prepare for the possibility of budget cuts, they should make helping people who have nowhere to turn a priority and pass this bill.