Marine takes deportation problem to Bernie Sanders
Like a lot of people, Cesar Lopez was interested to hear what a presidential candidate had to say during a Las Vegas visit.
But for Lopez, it was personal. He was deported in 2012 and said he constantly worries about arrest, so he wanted to talk to Bernie Sanders about immigration policy.
Lopez came to see Sanders speak at an event the afternoon of Dec. 28. The candidate, a U.S. senator from Vermont seeking the Democratic nomination, was at a downtown Las Vegas cafe to speak and take questions on veterans issues.
Lopez, a Marine who said he served from 1993 to 1995, stood and told his story just before the event ended. He said he was deported in 2012 because of a felony drug conviction from 2000.
Lopez asked what Sanders would do about deportation of veterans if elected. Sanders replied: "I do not believe that you should be hiding. I believe you have the right to walk the streets of this country without fear."
Sanders added that he supports comprehensive immigration reform that provides legal status and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. If elected, he said, he would push for legislation to help immigrants, but use his executive powers if necessary.
Lopez, 41, said later that he has lived in the United States since he was 4 years old, when his mother brought him here from Mexico. He said he was detained during a layover at a Houston airport while returning home from a 2012 vacation to Costa Rica.
He said he came to Sanders' event to ask his question because he is worried about the prospect of prison time if he is arrested. His 2013 re-entry into the country was a felony because of his prior deportation.
—Eric Hartley
Reid rounds up Dem hopefuls
Harry Reid kicks off his final year as Senate Democratic leader with yet another bid to play kingmaker.
On Wednesday, the Nevadan is scheduled to appear with Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley at the Battle Born/Battleground First in the West Caucus Dinner at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
All three presidential hopefuls will "contrast their records and make their case," according to the Nevada State Democratic Party.
"We have a terrific field of Democratic candidates for president who are focused on issues that will make Nevada stronger: growing the middle class, passing immigration reform and taking action to address issues like gun violence and climate change," the party stated.
The dinner comes less than seven weeks before Nevada's Democratic caucuses on Feb. 20.
That makes the Silver State the first in the West and third in the country in the 2016 presidential nomination process following the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1 and New Hampshire's primary on Feb. 9.
In its promotion of the event, the state party credits Reid's "critical role" in giving Nevada such a prominent spot in the nominating process.
"Nevada was first selected to play an early role in the 2008 presidential nomination process because of our growing diversity, the regional importance of the West and our designation as a caucus state," the party stated, recalling the "hotly contested battle" between then-Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who was elected president.
"From our growing Latino, African American and AAPI population, to our large military population and the strength of organized labor here, few other states reflect the growing diversity of our country better than Nevada."
Prices for tickets range from $125 to $500 with proceeds going to the party.
—Jim Myers
Tax fight continues
CARSON CITY — The fight over Nevada's new commerce tax isn't over yet.
Backers of the levy on businesses with $4 million or more in gross annual revenue are appealing to the Nevada Supreme Court to try to block a referendum seeking to repeal the tax passed by the 2015 Legislature.
A group called the RIP Commerce Tax led by conservative Republican state Controller Ron Knecht wants to put the tax to a public vote on the November ballot. A state judge last month said the referendum could proceed. Repeal supporters need to gather about 55,000 signatures by mid-June to qualify for the ballot.
But lawyers for the Coalition for Nevada's Future PAC, a business alliance that supports the tax, filed notice last week that they will appeal the decision by a Carson City judge to allow the repeal effort to continue.
The commerce tax was part of a $1.5 billion package of new or extended taxes backed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and approved by lawmakers to support a $7.3 billion, two-year general fund budget that includes big increases to public education.
Legislative fiscal analysts estimate the commerce tax would generate about $120 million a year. But businesses subject to the levy can offset part of their obligation with a reduction in payroll taxes, which brings the estimated annual total to around $60 million.’
— Sandra Chereb
Contact Eric Hartley at ehartley@reviewjournal.com or 702-550-9229. Find him on Twitter: @ethartley
Contact Jim Myers at jmyers@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @myers_dc
Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb
