Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 64 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
March 15, 2013
No state tax cut deal as end approaches
SANTA FE (AP) — The Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez have not reached a deal on possible tax cuts as lawmakers approach the finish line of the 60-day legislative session. Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, a Deming Democrat, said Thursday that talks continue with the Martinez
‘POLITICS AIN’T BEANBAG’
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
FRIDAY
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administration about proposals to reduce taxes to encourage economic development in the state. “We’re still trying to work something out,” Smith said in an interview. “The problem is we’re running out of time.” Lawmakers adjourn on Saturday. Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell said the governor wants lawmakers to
Martinez also is seeking more favorable tax treatment of companies in New Mexico that sell most of their goods and services outside of the state.
“make job creation and education reform the priority” in the closing stretch of the legislative session. “The notion that the Leg-
Pi-r-square, bubbles-r-round
islature does not have time to focus on efforts to help New Mexico small businesses grow and create more jobs is preposterous,
Locals’ bills pass
WASHINGTON (AP) — Polite yet firm, Senate Republicans told President Barack Obama on Thursday to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to support controversial changes in Medicare if he wants a compromise reducing deficits and providing stability to federal benefit programs - PAGE A7
TOP 5 WEB For The Past 24 Hours
• State budget passes • Tonight last chance to glimpse comet • Kautz trial enters Day 2 • Wanna be a weather watcher? • Roswell lights up nets, rolls to semis
INSIDE SPORTS
given the types of legislation they are willing to stay late at night in order to pass,” Knell said a day after the Senate had worked until nearly midnight, including to approve a legislative rule to potentially shield the email of lawmakers from disclosure through requests for public records.
Mark Wilson Photo
Rigby Hunt, 2, blows bubbles as he and his family visit East Grand Plains Elementary for Pi Night, celebrating math, Albert Einstein’s birthday, the 3.14 value for pi and all things round. Thursday was March 14 which prompted the idea of having Pi Night on 3/14.
See TAX, Page A3
With the state’s 2013 legislative session scheduled to end Saturday, there has been a flurry of activity at the Roundhouse. Here’s a brief look at the bill activity of area legislators so far this week: Monday, the House of Representatives passed SB183, sponsored by Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, which would replace the term “GED” with “High School Equivalency Diploma” in state law. Kernan has said doing so would allow the state to adopt a more cost-effective alternative test, if one should be developed in the future. Another piece of legislation sponsored by Kernan that has passed both houses is SJM16, a memorial to recognize Inez Bushner Gill and Maralyn Budke, who both “dedicated their professional careers to New Mexico state government and, ultimately, to the people of New Mexico.” The state Senate voted Tuesday to pass SB455, sponsored by Sen. Cliff Pirtle. RSee BILLS, Page A3
Trial ends in hung jury Council postpones permit vote JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
RHS GIRLS REACH TITLE GAME
ALBUQUERQUE – No one can accuse the Roswell girls basketball team of making things boring. The Coyotes battled in two classics at last year’s state tournament and they thrilled the crowd at The Pit again on Thursday. In a double-overtime duel, Roswell won 57-47 over No. 3 Santa Fe in the semifinals of the NMAA Class 4A State Basketball Championships. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Thomas Howard Graves • Rita F. Chambers • Elias Gilbert Fierro • Adele R. Martinez • Francisco J. Herz • David D. Robinson - PAGE A7
HIGH ...89˚ LOW ....47˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B5 COMICS.................A6 ENTERTAINMENT.....A8 FINANCIAL .............B4 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 NATION .................A7 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
The jury returned deadlocked, Thursday, on the matter of State of New Mexico versus Steffanie Kautz after three hours of deliberation. Kautz was charged with one count of child abuse resulting in death. Judge Charles C. Currier threw out the additional count of child abuse, saying that the State had failed to meet all the requirements on the second charge. During their deliberation,
the jury expressed confusion with the use of the word “wholly” in New Mexico Uniform Jury Instruction that stated to qualify for a guilty verdict the defendant had to show that she was “wholly indifferent” to the child’s condition. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 3, 2011, in the 1200 block of West Hobbs Street, after 14year -old Breanna Bodge died in Kautz’s care. Breanna, a brittle diabetic, com-
ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
After emotional testimony from animal loving Roswell residents, City Council voted Thursday to postpone a proposed ordinance that would regulate the selling and breeding of cats and dogs. Ordinance No. 13-06 would amend the city’s Municipal Code to limit the number dogs or cats a person or household could
own and require valid permits for breeding and litters. Without a permit, selling or giving away puppies or kittens would be prohibited. There also would be fines for violations, such as not having a permit for multiple animals or litters or advertising animals for sale without a permit. Mike Matthews, special services administrator for the city, said the ordinance would help Animal Control to track house-
holds with multiple litters and ensure that animal owners had enough living space to accommodate all animals owned. Roswell Animal Welfare Alliance president Jo McInerney spoke in favor of the ordinance and said the city is “literally at a crisis point” with animal overpopulation because of irresponsible breeding. A large number of animals brought to shelters are
Bill on excused time for student-parents goes to Martinez
SANTA FE (AP) — High school students who are becoming parents would be entitled to excused time off from classes under a bill approved by the New Mexico Legislature. The measure allowing pregnant students or fathers-to-be to miss as many as 10 days for birth gained approval from the Senate late Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Susana Martinez, the Albuquerque Journal reported. The bill also allows students to take
See TRIAL Page A3
of f up to four days per semester for prenatal or child care. Students would have to make arrangements with their teachers to make up the work they miss. Supporters said the policy will support young parents, allow them to bond with their children, help students complete school and could prevent abortions. New Mexico has among the nation’s highest teen birth rates at 53 per 1,000 in 2010, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national average was 34 per 1,000 in the same year. “If we do not want young women to have abortions, then we must stand beside them and give them all the support we can in raising those children,” said Sen. Lisa Torraco, R-Albuquerque. Opponents have expressed concern that the bill could be seen as rewarding teen parents.
Francis brings different style to papacy
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis put his humility on display during his first day as pontiff Thursday, stopping by his hotel to pick up his luggage and pay the bill himself in a decidedly different style of papacy than his tradition-minded predecessor who tended to stay ensconced in the frescoed halls of the Vatican.
AP Photo
Pope Francis celebrates his inaugural Mass with cardinals, inside the Sistine Chapel, Thursday.
The break from Benedict XVI’s pontificate was evident even in Francis’ wardrobe choices: He kept the simple iron pectoral cross of his days as bishop and eschewed the red cape that Benedict wore when he was presented to the world for the first time in 2005 — choosing instead the simple white cassock of the papacy. See POPE, Page A3
“There used to be some sense of self-control, because people didn’t want to be in these positions. Now, it’s almost honorable,” said Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington. “It does seem to me that we are trying to take away as many of the consequences of our actions as we possibly can.” Under federal law, schools must grant students with temporary disabilities a leave of absence for as long as a physician
Crop duster
See COUNCIL, Page A3
considers it medically necessary. That law also covers childbirth.
New Mexico considers students habitually truant if they have more than 10 unexcused absences in a school year, which leads to intervention by school officials and possible prosecution of the student’s parents. School districts have set their own policies on what represents an excused absence.
Mark Wilson Photo
A crop duster flies low over a corn field near the Relief Route, Thursday afternoon.