Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 123, No. 27 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
January 31, 2014
www.rdrnews.com
FRIDAY
Gas tax hike proposed for state road projects
SANTA FE (AP) — New Mexico’s taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel would increase by 5 cents a gallon for a decade under a proposal in the Legislature to help finance highway construction projects across the state.
The measure by the chair man of the House Transportation and Public Works Committee, Democratic Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales of Taos, would raise the gasoline tax to 22 cents a gallon through
June 30, 2024, and then the rate would revert to 17 cents. The special fuels tax on diesel would go to 26 cents a gallon for the same 10year period before returning to 21 cents. The additional tax revenue would allow the state to issue up to $300 million in bonds for 10 major highway improvements projects. Gonzales acknowledged Thursday it will be difficult to win approval of a tax
increase during an election year, but he said it’s critical that New Mexico start to address a growing gap between needs for highway construction and maintenance, and available revenue. “I’ve always felt that I’d rather be criticized for trying than not trying. We’re in a position that we have to do something,” he said. Any tax hike will run into trouble with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who’s adopted a no-tax-
increase stance since taking office in 2011. Martinez and all 70 members of the House are up for election this year.
Taxes on motor fuels are a main source of money for road construction and maintenance, but revenue isn’t growing much, in part because vehicles are more fuel efficient.
New Mexico’s 17-cents-agallon tax rate on gasoline has been in ef fect since 1995, and it’s among the lowest in the region.
Guard installation
Oklahoma’s gas tax is 16 cents, Arizona’s is at 18 cents, Texas’ is 20 cents, and Colorado’s is 22 cents a gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute. The national average is about 21 cents, and the federal gover nment also imposes a tax of 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline.
A nickel-a-gallon increase in taxes on gasoline and diesel would generate about $70 million annually, according to estimates last year by the state
Fundraiser for home invasion victim Saturday TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Mark Wilson Photo
A crew from San Bar Construction installs a guard rail over the repaired bridge along E. Mescalero Road that was damaged by September floods.
Taxation and Revenue Department. The legislation authorizes financing for these projects: — $35 million for sixlane construction of Interstate 25 in Las Cruces, from where it intersects with I-10 and then north to U.S. 70. — $15 million for sixlane construction of U.S. 70 in Las Cruces. — $50 million for improvements to U.S. 54
Community organizers will hold a fundraiser Saturday for the victim of a home invasion, burglary and brutal rape that occurred Jan. 4. on Pecan Drive. The fundraiser is slated to take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 1 on the west side of Peter Piper Pizza, 2601 N. Main St. Event coordinator Nicole Vargas said the goal of the event is “to give her [the victim] closure and a new beginning.” “A fresh start,” added fellow coordinator Angel Guevara, who is a founding member of local activist organization N.M. Revolution EYES. The event will include a bake sale and sale of tshirts created by Revolution. Proceeds will go toward helping the victim
See HIKE, Page A3
cover medical costs as well as help with replacing items damaged or stolen from the victim’s home during the incident. Vargas said organizers are also seeking monetary donations in cash or check form. Donors using checks may ask at the fundraiser to whom they should write checks. also Coordinators request several items to replace those previously owned by the victim. Gifts of pillows, wall decorations, towels, kitchenware, sheets, comforters, window curtains and shower curtains are welcome. Early in the morning of Jan. 4, a teenage boy allegedly broke into the home of the victim, stabbed her in the neck and sides, and raped her. He left the woman to die, driving away with several
House Republicans Denver mayor sparks chile battle debate immigration
CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) — House Republicans wrestled inconclusively with the outlines of immigration legislation Thursday night, sharply divided over the contentious issue itself and the political wisdom of acting on it in an election year. At a two-day retreat on the frozen banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, GOP leaders circulated an outline that would guide the drafting of any House Republican legislation on the subject — a document that Speaker John Boehner told the rank and file was as far as the party was willing to go.
It includes a proposed pathway to legal status for millions of adults who live in the U.S. unlawfully — after they pay back taxes and fines — but no special route to citizenship for them.
Many younger Americans brought to the country illegally by their parents would be eligible for citizenship. “For those who meet certain eligibility standards, and serve honorably in our military or attain a college degrees, we will do just that,” the statement said.
Dusty Huckabee is seeking his second term as city councilor for Ward 1.
Chile is the state vegetable and the basis of the official state question — “Red or green?” A state law even has been passed to protect the spicy reputation of New Mexico peppers by targeting impostors everywhere from roadside stands to grocery stores.
“We are the chile state,” declared Katie Goetz, a spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
To help set the record straight, department officials aren’t waiting for the outcome of Sunday’s See CHILE, Page A3
AP Photo
A collection of bumper stickers and buttons promoting New Mexico-grown chile sits on the order counter at Hello Deli restaurant in Albuquerque, July 31.
Councilor Huckabee seeks to ‘build bridges’ if re-elected See IMMIGRATION, Page A3
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
Jill McLaughlin Photo
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — A friendly Super Bowl bet between the mayors of Seattle and Denver is causing a stir in New Mexico. If the Seahawks win on Sunday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has wagered a few things he says are indicative of his city. Among them: handmade skis, a hoodie and a sampling of Denver’s “amazing green chile.” Chile from the Mile High City? The question has fired up New Mexicans, resulting in a flurry of social media posts on New Mexico’s long history with the hot peppers.
See FUNDRAISER, Page A3
City Councilor Dusty Huckabee remembers downtown Roswell as a place he hung out while his mother shopped at the local stores. He would sit on the hood of her car and listen to the radio. He and his friends would run around during the day, exploring the streets. “You wouldn’t dare do that these days,” he said. Huckabee is running for his second term in Ward 1,
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TODAY’S FORECAST
against opponent Natasha N. Mackey. He was elected in 2010, but he also serves the community by coordinating several popular festivals and as director of MainStreet Roswell.
“I love Roswell. I was raised here,” Huckabee said.
Huckabee described another memory of when he was young. A little league team from Missouri Avenue School went to the national championships in Williamsport, Penn. Harold Hobson was on the team
and his mother, who made the trip, called the local radio station to deliver play-by-play reports, he remembered. When the train pulled into town bringing the team back home, the whole town was there to meet them. “It was really cool,” he said. “It was just that kind of home town we were. And, you know, things have changed. It’s something we need to come back to. We’ve got a lot of bridges to build.” Boosting the art presence
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A8 • MARJORIE HELEN ADAMS BENTLEY • TOM MARSHALL THORNTON JR. • BOB SNAITH • BOBBIE JO SMITH • KENNETH CARL CASE • JERRY EUGENE CHAPMAN
in the community could be one bridge, he said.
One project Huckabee has focused on recently is improving L.J. Reischman Park downtown. The project received $100,000 from the state and is expected to transform the space into a gathering place with a venue for outdoor music and cultural events with art installations.
As councilor, Huckabee is chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. He is most enthusiastic about the redesign and CLASSIFIEDS ..........B8 COMICS .................B7 ENTERTAINMENT .....B6 FINANCIAL ..............B6
completion of Charlie McVay Memorial Softball Complex.
“We really wanted to establish sports tourism in Roswell,” Huckabee said. “Sports tourism was introduced to Roswell when Gus Macker tournaments came to Roswell,” he said. “We didn’t have places to put people. Then, the Hike it and Spike it. That’s economic development.” The improvements brought in visitors that See HUCKABEE, Page A3
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .........B6 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ............A10
WORLD ..................A9