Listening to the talking heads on CNN and MSNBC who seem to think healthcare reform may be expiring makes me think that if they are right then the only way we’re going to get reform is to emulate the demonstrating populace of Iran.

If Americans showed the same determination as the Iranians are showing over their last election we’d get healthcare reform in a heartbeat.

But, that is a real big IF.

Rep. Dean Heller backs the Carson City Board of Supervisors’ opposition to a proposed U.S. Bureau of Land Management fire station complex on the city’s south side, according to the congressman’s spokesman. [Nevada Appeal]

Stewart Bybee said Heller, R-NV, is looking at ways to stop the complex. Action could range from a letter of opposition to legislation, he said.

“Congressman Heller supports the board’s decision and is currently looking at a resolution to the situation that is beneficial to the community and the Bureau of Land Management,” Bybee said.

Heller has been watching the situation since BLM proposed the complex in February, he said.

Supervisors passed a resolution opposing the complex Thursday. Residents and supervisors say the complex would limit access to open space lands and doesn’t belong near a neighborhood of about 300 homes.

BLM wants to build four buildings on seven to eight acres of its land at the base of the Prison Hill open space area, east of the intersection of South Edmonds Drive and Koontz Lane. The bureau would use the complex with the U.S. Forest Service to fight seasonal wildfires in Northern Nevada.

But, what happens when the next forest fire occurs?

Win a few—lose a few.

Nancy Stiles
Cordially Invites You

to
Meet and Greet Fundraising Reception

For

Cindy Olivas Trigg
Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congressional District Two

Saturday, June 27^th at 7pm
Located at
979 Ranchview Circle
Carson City, NV 89705

Please RSVP to Nancy Stiles at nanstiles@netzero.net or 775-783-0562

*This event is a fundraising reception; please consider a donation to our campaign between $2.10 and $2100. With your support, we can continue to build the infrastructure we need to be victorious on election day.

P.O. Box 2862
Carson City, NV 89702

House members will get an average $1.5 million in the budget year starting in October to run their Washington and district offices and cover travel and other official expenses. Overall, the budget for what the House calls members’ representational allowances, or MRAs, will jump $51 million to $660 million. [Associated Press]

There was little discussion of MRAs during debate on the bill, although Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., complained that he had been barred from offering an amendment that would have frozen the money at this year’s level.

“I’ll be the first to tell you that my office could use an MRA increase,” Heller said. “Traveling my largely rural district and staying in touch with thousands of Nevadans takes a significant amount of MRA funds.” But with other Americans cutting back, “this body must be a part of this sacrifice, and that starts here, in our offices.”

The MRA budget has risen from $555 million in fiscal 2007 to $580 million in 2008 and $609 million this year.

I have to agree with Heller on this one.