News briefs for May 15, 2003

Thursday, May 15, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

Berkley named to panel on tax policy

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has a new job as a leading critic of President Bush's proposed tax cut. Democratic leaders on Wednesday named Berkley chairwoman of a 27-member working group called the Democratic Task Force on Tax Policy and Budget, making her a top organizer within the party on tax policy.

Berkley has been outspoken about Bush's call for at least $550 billion in tax cuts, which Berkley said offers too much to corporations.

"We don't need ideological arguments or bailouts for failing corporate executives," Berkley said. "We need sound public policy to get us back in the black, and get our economy moving again."

Berkley said the post gives her a perch from which to advocate tax policy that benefits Nevada. Among other issues, Berkley supports a 100 percent meal tax deduction for business trips, which could help spur more business travel to Nevada.

Foothill HS, CCSD locked down

Clark County School District Police locked down Foothill High School and the Community College of Southern Nevada after receiving a report of a man with a gun about 7 a.m. today.

The school and the college, located next to each other on College Drive in Henderson, were locked down for about an hour while School District police searched for the man, Officer Darnell Couthen said. They found the small-caliber handgun in a vehicle parked in the college lot.

The man didn't point the gun or threaten anyone, Couthen said.

"At no time were the kids in any danger," Couthen said. "They were safe at all times."

Police know the suspect's name and they are trying to track him down, he said.

Prison identifies hanging victim

An inmate at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City, who hanged himself, was identified today as Juan Ruiz-Alvarado, 21, serving a 10-year to life term for lewdness with a minor in Washoe County.

Glen Whorton, assistant director of the Corrections Department, said Alvarado came to the prison April 2. He was placed in the Regional Medical Center at the prison. Whorton said Alvarado left a note and the investigation is completed, showing this was a suicide.

Ruiz-Alvarado was found handing in his cell Tuesday afternoon, and attempts by medical personnel to revive him failed.

Lobbyist receives 30-day suspension

Kami Dempsey, chief lobbyist for the city of Las Vegas at the Legislature, has been given a 30-day suspension without pay after her arrest on a charge of driving drunk while in a city car, she confirmed Wednesday.

Dempsey was arrested last week in Carson City and cited for DUI and driving 35 mph in a 25 mph zone in a residential neighborhood.

Her suspension carries through the end of the Legislature, which is to close June 2. She is to appear in Justice Court in Carson City June 5.

UNR to hold commencement

RENO -- More than 1,000 students at the University of Nevada, Reno are scheduled to receive bachelor's degrees at this weekend's commencement ceremony.

The ceremony on the UNR Quad takes place Saturday morning.

A separate ceremony will be held Friday afternoon for about 500 receiving advanced degrees.

Those ceremonies will be moved to Lawlor Events Center in the event of bad weather.

Forty-six students are slated to earn their doctor of medicine degrees during a separate hooding and graduation ceremony Friday afternoon at Lawlor Events Center.

"Commencement is always the best time of the year in our university community," UNR President John Lilley said.