Gov. Jim Gibbons and Sen. Harry Reid's staff traded accusations Thursday over the Obama administration's leaving Nevada out of the stimulus rail transportation plan.
A total of 31 states are included in the $8 billion plan, but Nevada's Maglev project to connect Las Vegas with its Southern California markets was not on the list.
"Once again Reid pays no attention to the needs of Nevada families and President Obama simply ignores the fact that we have the second highest unemployment rate in the country," said Gibbons in a press release.
He charged that Reid's "weak efforts" to get Nevada into that program constitute "just another slap in the face to working families and families suffering through the misery of unemployment."
But Reid spokesman Jon Summers turned the accusation back on Gibbons.
"If Jim Gibbons wants to know why Maglev didn't get any of the $8 billion in stimulus money announced today for high-speed rail, he should look in the mirror," said Summers.
He said only states, interstate compacts and public agencies can apply for the funds.
"If anyone was asleep at the switch, it was Gov. Gibbons because his Department of Transportation failed to apply," he said.