Steven Horsford

So let me follow up on one principle in the rule, and that is the compensation structure.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to our witnesses for being here today.

The gentleman from Nevada is recognized.

I believe this is really a bipartisan issue that we could work together on.

I can't give you that figure today, and I apologize for that, I should have come prepared for that. But I am not.

Now, the Outdoor Industry Association estimates that 148,000 jobs in Nevada are directly tied to our outdoor recreation, generating $10 billion in State and local revenue.

So could you explain, then, the requirements of the rule and the principles that you are explicitly directed to balance?

They want a job. But for those individuals who cannot find a job, they also need to depend on unemployment.

And I am of the view that we need all of our energy resources to be considered on the table in a fair and equitable manner.

Just to close on the Passenger Rail Investment Improvement Act of 2008, again, this is a critical opportunity for our need to connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

My focus is on how we can create jobs and get our economy moving while at the same time investing in critical infrastructure needs.

I want to commend you and your team for what is a very good blueprint for the critical challenges.

On behalf of a State that is controlled by more than 80 percent by the BLM, we need to have this discussion in ways that really produce some solutions for local governments and States that want to have more control over the development of…

I am of the view that we need all of our energy resources to be considered on the table in a fair and equitable manner.

I would say I would love to--hope that we can talk about the chronically unemployed and the fact that there are actually laws on the books in some States that are disincentives to employers hiring the chronically unemployed, and we need to…

My unemployed constituents are not lazy. They are not immature. They have a desire to work.

They do not want to be on food stamps. They don't want to be on long-term unemployment.

Everything really needs to be on the table for consideration and discussion

It is an honor to be on this committee, particularly at a time when we are trying to find every way to responsibly balance the budget, while protecting the most essential parts of services that are provided.

Even with these profits, oil and gas companies continue to receive tax breaks and other corporate entitlements.