His name: Reid. Harry Reid. Senator. Democrat. Nevadan.

A Nevada legislative subcommittee last week recommended - with a few conditions - endorsing the merger of casino-rich West Wendover, Nev., with its revenue-poor country cousin, Wendover, Utah.

But Reid, the second-highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate, opposes the merger. And since it takes an act of Congress to change the state lines to join the two cities, Nevada's latest efforts may be for naught.

Reid spokeswoman Tessa Hafen said Monday her boss's position has not changed since August 2002, when he came out against the merger, fearing it would damage casinos and other businesses on the Nevada side. Reid also worries about the precedent it could set for other border cities.

"Essentially, Sen. Reid's concerns remain the same," she said.

But Reid - the top recipient in Congress of gambling and casino contributions, according to the Center for Responsive Politics - would "take a look at" the merger plan if both states can work out the details, Hafen said.

Nevada's junior senator, John Ensign, also balks at the merger.

On the Utah side, Wendover Mayor Steve Perry is optimistic.

"If the states can get settled on this, Reid might have to change his mind," Perry said Monday. "But who knows?"

Nevada legislators don't want the Silver State to be saddled with millions of debt accumulated by the struggling Utah city. If the red ink can be erased - through state or federal funds - a legislative subcommittee studying the issue said the merger can go forward.

The full legislatures of both states would have to sign off.

Voters in both Wendovers backed the idea in 2002, but political machinations sidelined the plan. Casinos fear new competition would pop up on the now-Utah side, where gambling halls - forbidden in the Beehive State - would be closer to visitors driving west on Interstate 80.

Utah's Wendover has a few hotels and a couple of gas stations, but little tax base when compared with the flashy neon buildings just down the street that attract millions a year to play poker, blackjack and slot machines.

While not opposing the merger, Utah's congressional delegation isn't exactly pushing the proposal to nudge the state line.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, generally supports the plan, but is waiting to see the city, county and state governments work out the merger's specifics.

"We'll have to wait for the senators to get together and talk about it," spokesman Adam Elggren said.

There is no meeting currently scheduled between the two congressional delegations.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, maintains two conditions must be met before he would consider supporting the plan, according to spokesman Scott Parker.

Bishop, who represents the area on the Utah side, wants the two states to work out the merger and then for Nevada's federal delegation to climb on board. Until then, he's not taking a stand, Parker said.

"He sort of considers those as prerequisites," Parker said.

Federal legislation approving the state-line shift languished in a committee in 2002 after Reid vowed to not let it out for a vote.

tburr@sltrib.com

The two Wendovers, by the numbers

West Wendover, Nev.

Population: 4,721

Latino population: 56.9 %

Median household income: $34,116

Families in poverty: 17.4 %l Median age: 23.9 23.9

Owner-occupied homes: 56.3 %

Wendover, Utah

Population: 1,537

Latino population: 68.6%

Median household income: $31,196

Families in poverty: 24.7%l Median age: 23.7

Owner-occupied homes: 38.9 percent

- Source: 2000 U.S. Census