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Monday, June 21, 2010 | 5:23 p.m.
Sun Archives
Sun Coverage
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Nevada Resort Association today filed a joint legal challenge to a recently filed initiative petition that would enact reform legislation similar to Arizona’s controversial new immigration law.
The Nevada Immigration Verification Act, which could appear on the 2011 ballot if the initiative is qualified, mirrors Arizona’s controversial immigration reform legislation that was signed into law earlier this year by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
The Arizona law requires immigrants to carry registration papers and requires police to question anyone suspected of being in the United States illegally.
Because critics of the Arizona law have organized boycotts and canceled conventions in that state, the LVCVA board of directors vowed at its June 8 meeting to fight the Nevada initiative to protect the city’s fragile meetings and conventions industry, which has only recently started to make a comeback after struggling for months during the recession.
“Passage of this initiative would have severe economic consequences on our tourism and convention business,” Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the LVCVA, said in a statement issued today. “We cannot afford to give people a reason to choose other cities for business or leisure travel. Lost business would translate into lost jobs. As the tourism sector has shown some evidence of stabilization, cancellations of future business would be devastating.”
Ralenkotter has said Phoenix has lost more than $90 million in convention business this year as a result of boycotts and protests against the state.
Keith Smith, chairman of the Nevada Resort Association’s board and a member of the LVCVA board, echoed Ralenkotter’s comments in a prepared statement.
“At a time when it is critical to attract new business and revitalize our economy, proposing a controversial new immigration law would be counter-productive,” Smith said. “Over the past two years, we have experienced unprecedented economic struggles, including declines in convention business and visitor spending. Our entire state’s economic well-being has suffered as a result. As recovery is taking hold nationally, we cannot afford to create unnecessary distractions that could hurt our ability to promote Nevada as one of the world’s top business, convention, and tourism destinations.”
Local critics have questioned whether the LVCVA board – a quasi-governmental conventions and tourism bureau comprised of private sector leaders and elected officials – could fight an initiative because it’s funded by room taxes.
LVCVA spokesman Vince Alberta clarified that the board can’t challenge the concept or ideology behind the initiative, but it can challenge the validity and legality of the proposal. It also can’t run ads against the initiative.
The legal challenge filed by the two organizations cited violations of Nevada’s “single-subject rule,” which requires that an initiative petition embrace one subject when presented to voters.
"Money First - Country Second" is all I could read here. The LVCVA just went off the deep end.
Propaganda spread with tax funds is wrong. Government funds are not supposed to be used to push the ideals of elected officials on the public.
I Have an idea. Bill the LVCVA to subsidize the healthcare, welfare and education off illegals and anchor babies. I guarantee it will be much more than the potential lost tourism revenue. The businesses are out for themselves while we the taxpayers get the shaft subsidizing the millions for this mess. It will only get worse. The politicians are spending our money like a game of monopoly for votes.
Balderash!
Nevada spends 630 million dollars on illegal alien services. Nevada has 230 thousand illegal aliens and 12.2% of the population are illegals. Source: LV Sun, 04-14-10 and the Pew Hispanic Center. The loss of 100 million dollars to our economy over this law would be nothing considering what illegals cost Nevada. Would our 14% unemloyment rate statewide and 14.1% in Clark County rate be less if we had no illegal aliens working? What is needed is a requirement for E-Verify for all workers in the public and private sector. That would over time weed out the illegals and open more jobs to Americans and legal immigrants. Its about the country and it's future not about the bottom line.
shocker, huh?
What about the businesses that would be more likely to come here because we are doing the RIGHT LEGAL thing instead of what they think may happen. Arizona has lost no revenue from "boycotts". Illegal citizens and relatives of illegals that threaten to do so can scream all they want. Let them.
The LVCVA should be ashamed of themselves!!!
The last thing Nevada needs is a boycott. If you cant compete with immigrants, you should leave the U.S.
Nevada needs low cost labor and at the end of the day, who cares where you were born? What is important is what you bring to the table.
Fat whites with a cigarette hanging out of their mouths screaming for employer paid health care and want to artifically inflate the cost of labor are the problem. Deport them not the hard workers.
we care where they are born, when they are here illegally costing us millions yearly. If they want to come here and live wnd work, bottom line is: do it legally. otherwise, go back to where you came from until you can go through the legal procedures. Visa, green card, keep them current, don't break any laws, stay off welfare, food stamps, medicaid, subsidized housing free meals, free education, speak english and we will be just fine.
Maybe this will convince Celine Dion to not come back!!!
Of course the LVCA (which represents the gaming industry) challenges the immigration petition. It compromises the gaming industry's need for cheap labor and more customers. If you think the gaming industry doesn't covet spanish speaking employees, why are there so many duo language notices in and out of most casinos? If you don't think the gaming industry markets to those from the South, check out examples like Boulder Stations marquee. Nowhere does it advertise US games in the World Cup, but Mexico's games are marketed up to a week early. The gaming industry does not care about the quality of life for Americans. Their only concern is to extract as much profit for the bonuses of those at the top.
Though each will have their own opinions on the issue of immigration I can tell you this, you will see a rise in food prices mostly in the price of fruit and vegetables. Throughout this country farmers are struggling with the thought that they may not have enough help come harvest. Travel throughout any part of this country and you will see immigrant workers mainly in farming communities. The mushroom capital of the US Kennett Pa. is populated with migrant workers and the owners already stated that if they loose this asset the price of mushrooms would quadruple. In the south everything from onions to oranges to the corn we all enjoy is picked by the hands of migrant workers. This is not new Lancaster Pa. has had a huge migrant community since the early 1950's and throughout this country we have been dependent for their help.
You see no matter how hard you kick and scream about immigration it is needed, just like it was needed in 1905 when our country was flooded with people from all over Europe. All over the country there are jobs that the general public would never do and that is farm work or work that most would think is below them and that is in the service sector. In my opinion I like to see harsher policy on immigration just to prove to the people of this country that their ignorance just cost them more in the price of food and other things.
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This is absolutely ridiculous. There is nothing more to say.
Are we talking about immigrants or illegal alien?
So the LVCVA thinks enforcing the law is bad. I guess they won't mind then if visitors come and don't pay for booking events and skip out on the tabs they run up in Vegas.
It is a global economy, get over it. What about the natives on food stamps and endless jobless benefits?
If we push them out, they will move the factories south of the border too. We need the labor here.
I know of no one with food stamps AND endless benefits...
Factory jobs have already gone south - some so far south they're in Asia.
Immigration is only needed when all available native born, able bodied Americans have jobs, and positions remain unfilled due to lack of available indigenous workers.
It's not about competing with immigrants for low paying jobs, as there is no competition: 'illegals' and legals alike can and will undermine American labor simply because immigrants can afford to.
I work with one who lives in a room with several other immigrants, splitting costs several ways, thus he is able to send most of his US dollars to Mexico City (outskirts), where he is having a custom home (3200 sq ft, $25,000) built with OUR dollars. Americans don't have that option.
US dollars sent to Mexico from workers in America is Mexico's 2nd largest GDP source.
To say Americans do not deserve good pay and health benefits is perhaps one of the most anti-American stances I've heard since Hanoi Jane and her ilk in the 60's.
OH GREAT! Welcome new business at the expense of having to recieve all the Illegals!. More crime, more welfare, more food stamps,more babies, more drugs,more poverty, more illegitimacy,and finally.......... BANKRUPTCY.....SMART!!!
"Phoenix has lost more than $90 million in convention business this year as a result of boycotts and protests against the state."
This alone should be enough to convince Nevadans to not rush to adopt the AZ law.
Nevada is not a border State, the AZ law does not apply to Nevada. Arizona decided to create a redundant law, and they are paying a price for it. The United States was built by immigrants. Many of them came here under less than 100% legal methods, under assumed names, falsified documents, or received "Americanized" names at Ellis Island. The formation of the U.S. was considered an act of treason by the British Empire. Depending on the time frame one samples, we all are illegal. We killed a lot of natives setting up this country, even if mostly by accident through disease.
The LVCVA could make alot of money selling dope. But that would be ILLEGAL!!!!
The LVCVA could make alot of money selling dope.
Yeah, but how much do ya think they could get for that dope in the Mayors office?
@DavidCurtis;
"Phoenix has lost more than $90 million in convention business this year as a result of boycotts and protests against the state."
This alone should be enough to convince Nevadans to not rush to adopt the AZ law."
Yet, Mr. Curtis, (as you are surely aware) Nevadans can & WILL bite off their own noses to spite their faces.
That $90 million figure in AZ is CHUMP CHANGE compared to what Nevada and Las Vegas would reap if they go and sow such seeds.
Nick, get your ratty illegal behind back to your country of origin. The only reason the LVCVA is complaining is they use plenty of illegals to set up their shows. Every day during setup there are hundreds of illegals being put to work as our citizens are left on the unemployment line. Business owners have had years to make profits off of the illegals, it's past time that LVCVA realizes it's our citizens right to work.
Last week 100,000.00 Mexicans moved here last week and not the legal ones.get ready we better make are own law King Obama Hates us anyways. PS can we tell him he can not come to Nevada just stay out....... anybody know ?
LVCA and all Government -- have a backbone and stand up for Americans and the United States.
If we can't or don't want to control our boarders we will never be able to control our budget, schools, health care or freedom.
Lets do this the easy way.
Pass a law that requires all licensed businesses in Nevada to use e-verify. If they don't use it pull their license and shut them down. e-verify does not cost them anything and solves the problems of who is legal to work here.
Maybe someone should get this on the ballot and let the people of Nevada vote on it.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. YOU can make a difference! START HERE: http://www.fairus.org/site/PageNavigator...
AZ hasn't lost tourism. Unions who want these illegals as dues paying members may be boycotting but their members are not. This is just a selfish act to keep the illegals working the hotels. I say deport them all and fine anyone who aids them the cost of supporting them. That includes the hotels and casinos.
LVCVA can shove it, they don't have a vote. You bunch of self serving idiots. We don't care what LVCVA thinks.
Please read this entirely (not just the first page)
This document applies to other states like Arizona and maybe Nevada too.
http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/specialrpt/un...
It will be intersting to see what the real impact of the Arizona law has on Arizona. Phoenix may have lost $90M this year, but how much is it saving in other areas of its economy? Reduced demand for emergency services, welfare services, ESL programs, jail/prison space, maintenance/repair of public & private space, unemployment, may well add up to more than the $90m that was supposedly lost.
e-Verify combined with significant employer penalties is the answer. Fewer jobs for illegals = fewer illegals.
Secure the border - stop the trafficing. Now.
Nevada is not a border State....lol david...we only sit between the two highest illegal immigrant populated states. Where do you think they will go when AZ runs them out....I was ran out of my own home city in California because I no habla espanol, wth is that about. My Grandfather came here legally from Italy and one from Ireland....LEGALLY, and I cant have a job cause I dont speak spanish in my own damn country....ya walk into the Salinas Ca. welfare office and please count all the caucasians, black and hispanics. Oh there were only hispanics...NO SURPRISE! ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL and it is a felony to be here without documentation...do we all get a felony for free????
AZ is going to LOSE its upcoming battle with the Feds. Period. Same thing would happen with NV. For those comparing the costs between losing convention business to the cost of what it costs to pay for them, (and I'm NOT a support of illegal immigration), don't forget the JOBS that people BORN HERE will lose without that business. Putting that aside, I live in AZ, and if AZ got to do this law the state - not the Feds - now has to handle the court costs, the personnel, the defense attorneys, additional administration to take on the Feds role, etc. It's not like AZ says to the Feds, "Here's some illegals - get rid of them." No - AZ has to get rid of them and face all the costs involved which will continue to bankrupt the state. NV is is a worse place than AZ financially and you'll be biting your nose to spite your face in this. Illegal immigration is worng - but for state governments to think they can handle a Fed job requiring Fed funding is short sighted and knee jerk. AZ did not think this law out.
@ pele its all poppycock, plain and simple. Already people are getting smart. Prices of potato chips run $3.99 a bag. Consumers wont buy it at that price because they know in just a couple of weeks of not buying the product, it will go on sale for $1.99. Same with fruits and vegetables. They could up the prices all they want, when no one buys it, it will go on sale. Consumers are not stupid, and if farmers think by hiring illegal immigrants will keep the prices down, they are terribly mistaken.
AZ has LOST MONEY due to the boycott. ALL of you need to check the stats on whose on welfare, and how welfare works. Most ppl on welfare in this state DO NOT receive money, only food stamps, most are either FULL-TIME or PART-TIME workers. Anyone working pays taxes, most aren't illegals. Most ppl on welfare across america are of European descent (Appalachians). Stop blaming others for your vote for an incompetent governor and mayor, your lack of education, your city leaders that lack long term plans for your city.
Do Mexican based drug lords gamble at Vegas Casinos? - I guess so, so this will be bad for business.
@ chediski & wakeup
Lose? Better get up to date on the UNBIASED analysis of it's legality. Unless an Odumba judge overrules it, which will be appealed and eventually get to a real judge, where it then goes thru, it's a done deal. Even if the Odumba administration is successful in delaying it, the point has been made. It'll then be bigger and harsher when he/they are out and a new admin is in.
Job loss to people born here? ????????? Please explain this, I'm baffled.
Costs to AZ? Many posting here have already cited what they cost us by being here. How much will a gigantic 'tent city' out in the desert cost? We are already paying for what you listed as costs that the Feds should be, less illegals equals less cost. If the Feds can't/won't handle this job, who says a state shouldn't/can't? Besides, you're looking at costs associated with implimentation. In 5 years, when they're out of AZ and no longer coming in, what are the costs then? Minimal to AZ, but I pity states without a law, where they'll flee to.
Lost money due to boycotts and conventions? Let's see, L.A. is now going to make an 'exception' to their boycott since they discovered something they have and want (traffic cameras) come from AZ. Think any other 'exceptions' from cities boycotting AZ may be out there? I wonder how many police tasers come from AZ? I'm sure all these boycotting cities have their crime under control so well they don't need them. Convention loss? No one seems to consider convention gain, or more import, individual tourist gain. Small businesses, and accordingly, local economies, gain more from individual tourists than conventioneers, whose money goes into the corporate hotel coffers. How many tourists might AZ gain with law?
And Wakeup, sorry, but I can't seem to understand anything you said. Explain the lost boycott money? As far as welfare, you're saying most people on welfare work full or part time? And what cities mayor are you referring to? Sorry I'm confused, must be my lack of education.
Do Mexican based drug lords gamble at Vegas Casinos? - I guess so, so this will be bad for business.
If you ban the drug dealers from the casinos, the local casinos would not survive.
Can we get any more inaccurate reporting than this "The Arizona law requires immigrants to carry registration papers"
This type of BS is expected for the RJ, but the Sun does employ at least one or two real journalists, don't they??
We all have to carry "registration papers" it's called an ID and so far, I have yet to see anyone scream "racial profiling" .