Nationally-Accessible Background Checks

A new bill is being introduced into Congress in order to create a nationally-accessible background check system for volunteers and employees of youth-serving organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs. According to an article on American Chronicle, the bill is spearheaded by Reps. Adam Schiff, John Conyers, and Mike Rogers.

The Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009 amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993. A summary of the Act includes the following information:

Amends the PROTECT Act to terminate the Child Safety Pilot Program on the date the program established under this Act is operating and able to enroll any organization using that Program.

Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish an applicant processing center to streamline the process of obtaining nationwide background checks; (2) enter into an agreement with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to establish a criminal history resource center to provide child-serving organizations with reliable and accurate information for interpreting criminal histories; and (3) assess annually the compliance of state criminal background check programs with requirements of this Act.

Sets forth the duties of applicant processing centers, procedures for requesting a nationwide criminal background check, and fee schedules for background checks. Grants individuals who are the subject of a background check the right to request full criminal history reports and to challenge the accuracy and completeness of such reports.

Grants limited immunity to child-serving organizations and NCMEC for acts and omissions in obtaining or using criminal history background information.

Prohibits unauthorized disclosure or use of criminal history records.

Nevada Jobs Focus of Governor's Tax Hike Worries

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons is willing to work with legislators to come up with solutions to that state’s economic crisis, as long as those solutions do not raise taxes. “Higher taxes will kill Nevada jobs at a time when we are trying to keep existing jobs and create new jobs,” Gibbons said. “There are reports of a list of tax hikes circulating behind closed doors at the Legislature. Legislators should be candid and truthful with Nevada citizens and let the people see that list.” Gibbons also said that as legislators encourage raising taxes, they should think about the people and businesses that will be crippled.

“Since certain legislators apparently are listing taxes they want to raise,” Gibbons said. “I would like to present my list of some of those who will be hurt by their tax hikes:”

• Workers who have been laid off and their families
• Workers enduring pay cuts
• Workers who have had their hours cut
• Seniors on fixed incomes
• All citizens trying to provide for their families while prices on many necessities rise
• Businesses large and small that are already struggling to survive
• Young families scraping together everything they have to pay their mortgage and stay in their homes
• Businesses contemplating moving to Nevada

Governor Gibbons also noted that despite partisan criticism aimed at him by certain legislators, it would be valuable for the Governor’s Office and the Legislature to work together on plans for allocation of federal Stimulus Package funds. “These funds are extremely valuable now as Nevada’s economic crisis continues,” Gibbons said.

Website Created to Track Illinois Job Creation

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has launched Recovery.Illinois.gov, a website created to help ensure that Illinois takes full advantage of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, including a way to track creation of jobs in Illinois.

“Our recovery team is ready to carry out the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act here in Illinois,” said Governor Quinn.

The new website is the portal to Illinois’ implementation of the federal stimulus plan and will:

• Keep track of projects, spending and job creation;
• List state run programs receiving supplemental funding including unemployment benefits, food stamps, vocational rehabilitation and other services;
• Connect to agency sites where proposed project lists will be posted as they become available; and
• Allow Illinoisans to suggest a project that is eligible for federal stimulus funds.

“We are moving as quickly as possible to get projects going so that we can get the people of Illinois back to work,” said Governor Quinn. “This website will help them learn about important programs and track our progress."