On the final day of regular session, lawmakers passed so-called “Christmas tree” legislation that will allocate more than $100 million from the general government fund to charitable organizations.
Each new appropriation is like a new ornament added to the tree.
Two Christmas tree bills AB525 and SB341 donate more than $20 million to nonprofits here in northern Nevada.
The United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra received $2.4 million from lawmakers and they say it is a testament to their good work in restructuring the entire organization around early childhood education.
“In recent years we have really been able to focus more on our work in early childhood education. Specifically in the area of literacy, and we know that literacy through third grade is incredibly impactful for those who are able to participate in these programs.” “And we’re going to see a significant improvement in outcomes for those who are in our communities needed most,” said Blake Pang, President/CEO of United Way of Northern Nevada and Sierra.
United Way has conducted three pilot programs.
The new funds will allow the organization to expand its elementary school literacy intervention program, free preschoolers for children in need, and an expansion of its Dolly Parton Imagination Library in northern Nevada.
“This is important to us, it more than doubles our ability to make an impact on the community. Our investment in both literacy and other programs we offer will increase significantly. Also, we’ll be able to do more work for many of our partners to create.” “We’re giving them even more growth opportunities,” Pang said.
‘The Domestic Violence Resource Center, Reno’ received $1 million.
“In Nevada, domestic violence offenses occur every 17 minutes and a domestic violence protection order is issued every hour, and our state, and certainly Washoe County, is peaking. So we plan to use these funds to address the issue that survivors need.” “The most important thing is safety and security,” said Kristen Kennedy, executive director of the Domestic Violence Center in Reno.
The nonprofit directors met with lawmakers to promote their services.
Kennedy says the need for shelter and security for Washoe County survivors is growing and they already don’t have enough.
“Currently operating 35 beds emergency shelters specifically designed for survivors of domestic violence in the Reno-Sparks area. So 35 beds just isn’t enough, and I think the conversations they have with these lawmakers are enlightening them. “It’s an area where they’ve had to devote some resources,” Kennedy explained.
A controversial allocation in the Christmas Tree Acts is a $25 million allocation to the Culinary Union of southern Nevada. The union receives more funding than all nonprofit organizations in northern Nevada combined.
For more information on the other northern Nevada nonprofits receiving funding, see: MEDIUM: Northern NV Overshadowed by Southern NV? | News | 2news.com
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