Nevada Assembly passes jobs bill

(AP) - The Nevada Assembly has approved a bill giving preference to contractors who hire Nevada workers.

AB144 passed with one opposed, Assemblyman Ed Goedhart of Amargosa Valley.

Under the Nevada Jobs First Initiative, contracts who hire at least 50 percent of Nevada workers, buy 25 percent of their materials in-state and register their vehicles in Nevada will get preference when bidding on state and local government public works projects.

The measure, pushed by Assembly Democrats, is part of an overall effort to create jobs in a state that leads the nation in unemployment.

The bill now moves to the Senate.