Melvin’s Nukes for Schools bill passes in Energy Committee

by David Safier

Look at the glow on all the children's faces. Is it because their schools are funded, or is it from the nuclear waste dump nearby?

[Apologies for the poor attempt at humor that even I find in bad taste. It's one of those laughing-to-keep-from-crying moments.]

Atomic Al's SB1548 got a 5-1 thumbs up in the Commerce and Energy Committee. The only Nay vote was from Olivia Cajero Bedford. The other Dem on the committee, Robert Meza, didn't vote. I don't know if he was absent or just shy about raising his hand.

The bill doesn't call for a nuclear waste dump. It just sets the parameters, one of which is,

ALL FEES COLLECTED [from the federal government for the dumping] SHALL BE DEPOSITED IN THE NUCLEAR RECYCLING PUBLIC SCHOOL FUND ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION.

Lest you think our anti-public-ed senator is getting generous with education dollars, the bill specifies,

MONIES IN THE FUND ARE INTENDED TO OFFSET STATE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Didn't want anyone to get the wrong impression.

(h/t to Nintzel on the Weekly's Range for the catch.)