Unemployed get a little break on state-issued debit cards
Now that's more like it.
For months unemployed Nevadans have lamented the fees they've been charged for even conservative use of their state-issued Nevada Visa debit cards at Wells Fargo Bank ATMs.
Officials at the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation have been listening and recently worked out a deal that improves the debit card program. Cardholders now can make one withdrawal per week (instead of two per month) without incurring a $1.25 charge. Wells Fargo charges no fee to manage the accounts.
The change, set to start June 1, makes sense and shows sensitivity on the part of DETR and Wells Fargo. After all, unemployment checks are issued weekly, not twice a month.
When I raised the issue in an April column, 189,000 Nevadans were collecting weekly unemployment checks.
At a time when every penny counts, the potential savings really adds up.
WORKERS "UN-RESIGN": Employees working for the state Department of Special Education Child Care and Development program got a shock Tuesday when they were asked to sign letters of resignation weeks ahead of their program's scheduled June 30 termination.
Employees speaking on the condition of anonymity say they weren't informed by the benefits representative of the impact their resignation would have. When they learned they would not be eligible to collect unemployment benefits and would lose seniority and rehire preferences, they immediately returned and rescinded their resignations.
"We knew there was something sneaky about it," one employee said. "It was just not right."
BOONE'S ENDORSEMENT: I read that U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle has won the endorsement of conservative entertainment legend Pat Boone. Surely Angle hopes the Boone endorsement helps get out older voters, who remember his music. The pop icon has sold more than 45 million records, but I'm not sure how many of those sales took place in this century.
CONAN'S GLOW: Conan O'Brien played Vegas last weekend at the Palms, and he made sure to take time to check out the Neon Boneyard on Monday before flying to Reno for his next concert.
The Boneyard is making the transition into the Neon Museum, which is sure to be one of the biggest hits in Las Vegas on or off the Strip. As it is, the Boneyard crew's semi-official tours are constantly booked.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK: The Las Vegas Hilton has transformed Teacher Appreciation week into a monthlong celebration with free tickets for Clark County School District teachers to the resort's "Bringing Back the Music" series.
With ABBA, the Doors, U2 and Eagles tribute bands performing all month, I think this is meant as a way for teachers to blow off a little steam at the end of the school year.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Former TV news anchor Kendall Tenney, who now owns 10ePR, stopped briefly Tuesday morning at the Windmill Ridge Restaurant and Bakery in Alamo and was greeted by a friendly staffer who inquired, "Are you Danny Tarkanian?" Black Book member-turned-gracious host Frankie Citro scored a big hit -- and not of the mob variety -- with his Senior Prom night dance at the El Dorado community. Citro and partner Jeanne Parrott have a winner.
BOULEVARD II: No one epitomized the gaudy glitz of Las Vegas like Liberace, and beginning Sunday, the folks at the Liberace Museum at 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. are celebrating his birthday with a $3.50 admission. You don't have to wear sequins. There's still time to sign up for the Wounded Warrior bass fishing tournament May 15 at Callville Bay Marina to benefit the injured war veterans. (Information: Vern Price at 896-1198). Vegas PBS officially stops broadcasting from its old building this weekend. It is moving to the energy-efficient Educational Technology Campus at 3050 E. Flamingo Road.
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
