LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Owners for the plant-based taco shop, Tacotarian, right here in the Las Vegas Valley can now count themselves among a national recognition as Small Business Persons of the Year.

Your winners representing Nevada are…

• Kristen Corral
• Carlos Corral
• Regina Simmons
• Dan Simmons

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates outstanding achievements from small business owners and entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities.

“Winning the SBA Small Business Persons of the Year award for Nevada is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work, passion, and resilience it takes to run a small business today,” the Tacotarian founders said.

What’s next for our winners?

53 winners from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam are selected each year and invited to ceremonies in Washington, D.C. during National Small Business Week (May 4-10).

It is during these ceremonies that the 2025 National Small Business Person of the Year will be named.

Tacotarian said they’re aiming to bring positive change to the world “one taco at a time.” Since 2018, the plant-based business has expanded to several locations throughout Las Vegas and even to San Diego.

Their work goes further than the Mexican eatery, through ongoing commitments to giving back and advocacy for our neighborhoods.

Local organizations such as Nevada SPCA, Reps and Steps, Foundation for Recovery, Foster Kinship, Farm Animal Sanctuary and more have all felt the helping hand of Tacotarian.

As an avid big-game hunter in Nevada, I have spent countless hours in the wilderness — tracking game, studying migration patterns and admiring the beauty of our state’s diverse basin and range landscapes. For me, hunting is more than a sport; it’s a tradition, a way to connect with nature, and a vital part of wildlife conservation.

Nevada’s wildlife habitats, however, face growing threats from challenges that seem overwhelming — prolonged drought, severe wildfires and the rapid spread of invasive weeds, all of which degrade critical habitats.

Despite these challenges, there are areas where meaningful progress can be made.

The expansion of roads and highways continues to fragment wildlife habitats, creating serious barriers for the animals we value. Yet Nevada has shown that thoughtful solutions are possible. To protect our wildlife and preserve these landscapes for future generations, the state must take decisive action by passing a bill to establish dedicated funding for constructing new wildlife crossings across Nevada.

Wildlife crossings — such as overpasses and underpasses designed to help animals safely traverse busy roadways — are a proven solution to reducing vehicle collisions with wildlife while simultaneously connecting important habitat. These structures are not just beneficial for the animals; they save human lives and prevent costly vehicle damage.

Every year, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation, more than 500 reported wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually, costing the state close to $20 million. Nevada has a long history of leadership in addressing this issue and has 79 animal crossings in place for both large and small animals, including six overpasses. But without dedicated funding for new hot-spot collision locations, our state risks falling behind as roadways expand and urban development encroaches on critical migration corridors.

In 2023, Gov. Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 12 into law. It created Nevada’s Wildlife Crossing Account and seeded this account with $5 million. The Nevada Department of Transportation is already utilizing these funds to leverage federal funds. While this is a significant step forward, it is only a starting point. A yearly recurring appropriation for wildlife crossings will provide certainty for project planning purposes, accelerating the construction of wildlife crossings where they are needed, keeping roads safe while connecting important habitat.

Critics may argue that funding wildlife crossings is an unnecessary expense, but the data tells a different story. Studies from states across the West show that wildlife crossings can reduce collisions by up to 90 percent. The economic benefits of reducing vehicle damage, medical expenses and insurance costs far outweigh the initial investment in building these structures. Additionally, federal matching funds are available for wildlife infrastructure projects, meaning that state-level investment could be leveraged to bring in additional funding resources. At a time when federal budgets are being drastically cut in search of savings, wildlife crossings make financial sense.

Passing a bill to establish dedicated funding for wildlife crossings is not just a win for hunters — it is a win for all Nevadans. By taking proactive measures, we can reduce collisions, protect motorists and ensure that our state’s treasured wildlife continues to thrive. Conservation is a responsibility we all share, whether you live in Las Vegas or Elko. Let’s not wait for more tragic accidents or further declines in our deer and other wildlife populations before taking action.

Kevin Cabble is a lifelong outdoorsman and board member for the Nevada Wildlife Federation.

There is broad agreement that it’s too difficult for veterans to get the disability benefits they earned and need. After valiantly serving, our nation’s heroes are forced to navigate a complex, bureaucratic and adversarial claims process at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where they are frequently denied benefits or receive lower disability ratings than deserved. That makes it particularly hard to understand why state lawmakers are considering legislation that would make it even more difficult for Nevada veterans to get help in navigating this process.

Assemblymen Reuben D’Silva, D-North Las Vegas, and Ken Gray, R-Dayton, have introduced Assembly Bill 145 with the well-intended goal of protecting veterans from unscrupulous private companies seeking to take advantage of those who apply for their benefits. Unfortunately, AB145, which was debated in a recent Assembly committee hearing at which I testified, is drafted far too broadly and would make it illegal for veterans to get advice or assistance from any private companies, including ethical services that are working hard to help veterans. It is a classic example of throwing the baby out with the bath water.

I can attest to the value provided by some of these private services based on my personal experience. After serving in the Air Force for eight years, including a deployment in the Gulf War, I left the military suffering from PTSD, breathing issues and other service-related conditions. I first tried working with a free Veteran Service Organization to apply for benefits. Despite having all of my medical records in hand, I received a 0 percent disability rating from the VA. Years later I would try again, but was told by my VSO representative that I should “go online and figure it out” for myself.

Finally, almost three decades after leaving the military, I reached out to a private service for help. They carefully examined my case, helped me reassemble my claim and, within months, I received an accurate rating from the VA and the benefits I deserve. I was happy to pay a fee for that service and would do so again.

Proponents of AB145 argue that veterans shouldn’t have to pay for a service they can get for free from a VSO. But from my experience, you often get what you pay for. Many VSOs are doing great work and that avenue should remain available for veterans. But if veterans choose to hire a private company to get additional attention and guidance in filing their claim, they should be allowed to do so. As veterans, we raised up our right hand and took an oath to fight for that freedom, among many others. It is simply wrong to take away our freedom of choice now.

There is a better way to resolve this issue. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Washington that would establish strict guardrails to protect veterans from bad private companies and fraudsters, imposing fee caps, transparency requirements and privacy protections, while allowing good private companies, such as the one I worked with, to become accredited by the VA and continue serving veterans. In other words, it legislates against the bad behavior, instead of against a specific type of service provider.

Ideally, Congress would move forward with this common-sense legislation and put this issue to rest. In the meantime, similar legislation has been introduced in at least 27 states and has already been enacted in Louisiana. The Legislature should reject AB145 or amend it to include similar provisions that protect veterans while preserving their choice. By doing so, Nevada can send a clear message that our top priority is to ensure veterans have access to the help they need to get the disability benefits they deserve.

Leo Garcia is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes from Boulder City.