An interim legislative committee has approved Gov. Jim Gibbons stimulus czar, with many Republicans abstaining from the vote saying the panel's approval was unnecessary.
Gibbons earlier this month signed an executive order taking control over the $2.2 billion Nevada is to receive in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
The move came after the Interim Finance Committee took the governor's proposed stimulus director from the budget office and placed it under Democrat Controller Kim Wallin.
Gibbons last week hired Charles Harvey, assistant county recorder for Clark County, to oversee the federal stimulus dollars. The $256,000 to pay for the position and an assistant will come from the federal grants.
The IFC on Monday also approved using $10.5 million for weatherization programs.