An $18 billion jobs bill has finally passed the Senate and is now on its way to the Oval Office for the President's signature.  It is expected to create 250,000 jobs and fund additional training programs and extend others, to help some of the millions of people out of work receive the skills needed for the new economy.

The bill passed in bi-partisan fashion garnering 68 votes for the measure and 29 against, which is somewhat remarkable considering the deadlock the Senate has experienced for the last year.

Harry Reid released the following statement after the passage of the HIRE Act:

"I applaud my colleagues for joining me in passing a bill that will help put Nevadans back to work.  In addition to enacting a payroll tax holiday and allowing small businesses to write off the cost of major purchases, this jobs bill expands the Build America Bonds program and extends the Highway Trust Fund, allowing for the investment of billions of dollars in transportation projects, which will save one million jobs."

1) A tax credit for employers who hire employees this year;

2) An extension of the highway bill to fund job-creating transportation projects in Nevada;

3) A provision allowing small businesses to write off the cost of major purchases, and;

4) Build America Bonds, which provide a much-needed funding mechanism for projects such as work on courthouses, schools, roads and public safety buildings.