Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 124, No. 31 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
February 5, 2015
THURSDAY
www.rdrnews.com
State expects less new revenue after oil price drop SANTA FE (AP) — New Mexico legislators will have to pare down their spending plans because dropping oil prices have left the state with about $60 million less in new revenue than they anticipated. State Finance and Administration Secretary Tom Clifford told a panel of lawmakers Wednesday the state will have just over $83 million in new revenue to use for spending increases on education and other government services in the next fiscal year. A December forecast
had put that number at about $140 million. “It is a lot less than what we were working with previously,” said Rep. Larry Larranaga, R-Albuquerque, the chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. He asked Clifford to return in the next couple of weeks with details of how Gov. Susana Martinez’s spending priorities will reflect the smaller amount. Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Logan, looked at the positive side, saying the state will have $83 million more to spend than
last year. The biggest reason for the state’s smaller revenue increase is the decline in oil and gas prices, combining for a projected loss of $140 million in revenue in the fiscal year that begins in July. “That gives you a good flavor of the volatility and the exposure that we have to the energy markets,” Clifford said. Still, “some states are actually cutting budgets this year just to get through the current year. So, we’re more fortunate than some.”
A $1 change in oil prices causes a $7.5 million change in revenue for the state’s main budget account, officials said. State finance officials say the drop is mitigated by anticipated increases in revenue from taxes, including gross receipts, motor vehicle excise taxes, and personal and corporate income taxes, which are expected to bring in about $82 million more in revenue than estimated. The more than $6 billion in spending plans proposed by Martinez and the Legislative Finance
Committee were similar in calling for more spending on education and child welfare. Martinez acknowledged the volatility of oil prices — echoing the warning of lawmakers — when she unveiled her budget last month but said other sources of revenue, such as corporate and gross receipt taxes, were trending upward. Her $6.3 billion spending plan aims to grow New Mexico’s economy and expanding education initiatives. More than $2.7 billion in general funds would be spent on
education, amounting to a 2.5 percent increase over current spending levels. The governor’s priorities are not much different from lawmakers, whose budget recommendations targeted more th a n h a lf o f n e w r e v e nues at education, with an additional $71 million for public schools and another $25 million for expanding early childhood initiatives. The legislative budget proposal forms the foundation for lawmakers’ spending decisions.
IRS warns of
‘biggest refund in town’ promise Submitted by IRS
Submitted Photo
Police Chief Phil Smith, at left, stands with officers honored at the Roswell Police Department on Jan. 29 including, from left, Officer Jorge Arroyo-Jaime, Sgt. Steve Meredith, Deputy Chief Brad McFadin, Officer Chris King and Officer Randy Rodriquez. Not pictured is Officer Allan Covarrubias.
Officers, sergeant honored by RPD Submitted by RPD Five members of the Roswell Police Department were honored on Jan. 29 with each officer receiving an award recognizing outstanding performance in his job or great sacrifice made in the line of duty.
Life-Saving Award: Officer Chris King
This award honors an RPD member who is directly responsible for saving or prolonging a human life. The fire department was only minutes away,
but Officer King realized immediate action was needed to rescue a woman inside a burning home in the north part of the city early last year. The woman could be heard calling for help from the interior of the structure that was now in flames and heavy smoke. Neighbors were calling to her, but she could not make her own way out. Entering through a back door, Officer King located the woman in a corner of the home. She was unable to move on her own, so Officer King dragged her outside to the back porch,
where he collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe after venturing inside amid the thick and choking smoke. Officer King and the woman were taken to a hospital, where Officer King was treated for smoke inhalation. The woman was flown to another hospital, but, sadly, died a few days later as a result of the fire’s impact on her. Officer King’s supervisor pointed out the officer “went above and beyond” in his decision to enter the burning, smoke-filled house to pull the woman to safety so medical per-
sonnel could tend to her. Although she passed away a few days later, it was Officer King’s action that at least gave her a fighting chance.
Life-Saving Award: Officer Randy Rodriquez
This award honors an RPD member who is directly responsible for saving or prolonging a human life. When a local woman went to pick up her brother — who was dealing with See RPD, Page A3
The Internal Revenue Service has warned New Mexico taxpayers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous tax return preparers pushing inflated tax refund claims. This scam remains on the annual list of tax scams known as the “Dirty Dozen” for the 2015 filing season. “Every filing season, scam artists lure victims in by promising outlandish refunds,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Taxpayers should be wary of anyone who asks them to sign a blank return,
promise a big refund before looking at their records, or charge fees based on a percentage of the refund.” Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter any time but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their returns or hire someone to help with their taxes. Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation See IRS, Page A3
Second defeat for GOP on Homeland, immigration bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans put Democrats on record for a second time Wednesday against legislation combining Homeland Security funding with rollbacks of President Barack Obama’s immigration policies. But there was little evidence Congress was any closer to a solution to fund the department past Feb. 27 as that deadline approaches. The vote in the Senate
was 53 to 47, similar to Tuesday’s vote on a similar procedural measure, and well short of the 60 votes that would be needed to open debate on a Housepassed Homeland Security measure. The bill would pay for the Homeland department through Sept. 30, the end of the current budget year, and undo Obama’s executive actions See GOP, Page A6
Man arraigned on Volunteers needed for Valentine’s Day event Hobbs Act violation
Submitted by U.S. Justice Department
ALBUQUERQUE — Raymond Castillo, 25, of Albuquerque was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment charging him with violating the Hobbs Act and the federal firearms laws. Castillo entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him. Castillo will remain in federal custody pending trial of this case, which has yet to be scheduled. Castillo was arrested on Dec. 12 on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to rob a business involved in interstate commerce at gunpoint in violation of the Hobbs Act. The criminal complaint alleged that Castillo and an unidentified co-conspirator robbed a convenience store located at 1111 Lomas Boulevard NW in Albuquerque at gunpoint on Dec. 7, 2014. It further alleges
By Randal Seyler Record City Editor
that the co-conspirator, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a bandana that covered his face, shot and injured the store clerk during the robbery, and that Castillo drove the co-conspirator away from the scene of the robbery. On Jan. 21, a federal grand jury returned a fivecount indictment charging Castillo and five co-defendants with commercial armed robbery and firearms charges. The charges in the indictment are unrelated to the charges in the criminal complaint. Count 1 of the indictment charges Castillo, Daniel Maestas, 34, Johnny Ramirez, 30, Frank Gallegos, 29, Reyes Lujan, 26, and Henry Lujan, 21, with conspiracy to violate the Hobbs Act. Count 2 alleges that the six men interfered with interstate commerce See ARRAIGNMENT, Page A6
Today’s Forecast
HIGH 59 LOW 30
Valentine’s Day is a special holiday — unless you are alone. “I have a couple of ladies in their 70s, and they tell me, ‘Johnny, Feb. 14 is my anniversary and my husband has been gone for years,” said Johnny Gonzales, director of the Community Volunteer Program. “That is why I do this program every year, so people who would be all alone on Valentine’s Day get remembered.” Gonzales and his volunteers plan on delivering Valentines to everyone who has requested one for next Saturday, and they also intend on holding their annual Valentine’s Day Party on Feb. 14 at Fresenius Medical Care, located at 2801 N. Main St. in the Wilshire Center. “We have the party at the dialysis center, but
Randal Seyler Photo
Community Volunteer Program volunteers Marcella Morris, Jaryd Musgrave and Charlotte Barrera prepare Valentines on Wednesday for the annual Valentine’s Party, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 14. you don’t have to be a open to the public. patient to come,” GonGonzales and his volzales said. “We are there unteers will also be visfor anyone who wants iting the Chaves Counto come and enjoy some ty Detention Center to food and fellowship.” provide Valentine’s Day The party will be held cheer to the families visfrom 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. iting their loved ones and will feature music, who are incarcerated. hot dogs, sodas, and “We want to be there fun, and it is free and with Valentines for the
Today’s Obituaries Page A6 • Robert “Bob” Collett • Michel Lea “Mike” Hare Randle
• Jeanne Marie Michelet Langenegger • Charles Joseph Glick
Classifieds...........B6 Comics..................B5 Entertainment. ....A8 Financial..............B4
wives who are alone on the holiday and for the children,” Gonzales said. “We can even be there and watch the kids while the grownups visit.” Gonzales said the volunteer program can use more Valentines, balloons and volunteers to make the holiday weekend successful. “W e c a n a lwa y s u s e more balloons, and people are welcome to come out and volunteer,” Gonzales said. “We also welcome donations.” To help, or for more information, contact Gonzales at 624-7479 or email gonzalesjohnny@ hotmail.com. City Editor Randal Seyler may be contacted at 622-7710, ext. 311, or reporter02@rdrnews. com.
Index
General...............A2
Opinion.................A4
Horoscopes.........A8
Sports. ................B1
Lotteries. ............A2
Weather...............A8