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Municipal League leads charge to revisit ‘hold harmless’ phase-out Inaction in Legislature leaves some uncertainty about future of food taxes
rush to raise taxes even sooner. It raises questions about whether those with the least to spare could be hardest hit by a tax on food, and whether cities and counties will exercise the full taxing authority available to them before the Legislature can do anything to limit it. In 2004, New Mexico exempted
By Patrick Malone
The New Mexican
The New Mexico Legislature’s failure to address the thorny “hold harmless” issue during its recently concluded session has set the stage for cities and counties to seek reinstatement of taxes on food, or to
food and some medical services from gross receipts taxes. After that, the state provided hold-harmless subsidies to cities and counties to replace the lost revenue. In last-minute action during the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill to
Please see HARMLeSS, Page A-4
NOW ON TAP: NEW DRAFT STATION OPENS ON SANTA FE PLAZA
What’s new in the newspaper? In a note to readers, Editor Ray Rivera explains changes to the pages of The New Mexican. PAge A-2
New Mexicans worry about loved ones in Venezuela Locals with ties to the country are closely following anti-government protests there. LocAL NeWS, A-5
City eyes solar parking project Photovoltaic panels would provide both energy and shade in the lot outside the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. LocAL NeWS, A-5
High court to hear Fort Sill Apache case Tribe’s chairman says dispute is about recognition, not just gaming, but state administration disagrees By Milan Simonich The New Mexican
Elizabeth McCleod of Santa Fe pours a beer last week during the grand opening of Draft Station in the Santa Fe Arcade. The tap room is in the space formerly occupied by Marble Brewery at 60 E. San Francisco St. The patio overlooking the Plaza has been expanded to 900 square feet and the inside space reconfigured with an open area for mixing and meeting. On summer nights, manager Justin Svetnicka hopes to serve until midnight. See the story in Local Business, Page A-9. LUIS SÁNCHEZ SATURNO/THE NEW MEXICAN
U.S. military must shrink to face new era, Hagel says By Robert Burns
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Looking beyond America’s post9/11 wars, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday proposed shrinking the Army to its smallest size in 74 years, closing bases and reshaping forces to confront a “more volatile, more unpredictable” world with a more nimble military. The nation can afford a smaller military so long as it retains a technological edge and the agility to respond on short notice to crises anywhere on the globe, Hagel said. He said the priorities he outlined reflect a consensus view among America’s military leaders, but Republicans in Congress were quick to
Defense budget Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel recommended shrinking the Army to its smallest size in decades in an effort to balance defense needs with budget realities. Army Navy
Air Force Marine Corps
SOURCE: Department of Defense
Index
Calendar A-2
criticize some proposed changes. In a speech at the oneyear mark of his tenure as Pentagon chief, Hagel revealed many details of the defense spending plan that will be part of the 2015 budget that President Barack Obama will submit to Congress next week. Hagel described it as the first Pentagon budget to fully reflect the nation’s transition from 13 years of war. At the core of his plan is the notion that after wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that proved longer and more costly than foreseen, the U.S. military will no longer be sized to conduct large and protracted ground wars. It will put more emphasis on versatile, agile forces that
can project power over great distances, including in Asia. Hagel stressed that such changes entail risk. He said, “We are entering an era where American dominance on the seas, in the skies and in space can no longer be taken for granted.” However, budget constraints demand that spending be managed differently from the past, with an eye to cutting costs across a wide front, including in areas certain to draw opposition in the Congress, he said. He proposed, for example, a variety of changes in military compensation, including smaller pay raises, a slowdown in the growth of taxfree housing allowances
Please see HAgeL, Page A-4
12 million 28
A comparison
9
(in thousands)
1940
161
6
2013
323
269 194
3 0
523
40
45
50
55
60
WWII Korean War (’41-’45) (’50-’53)
Classifieds B-6
65
70
Vietnam (’65-’75)
Comics B-12
75
80
85
90
95
Gulf War (’90-’91)
Lotteries A-2
00
AP
05
10
13
Afghanistan/Iraq (’01-present)
Opinions A-10
The writerdirector who quietly created an unparalleled and hugely influential body of laughs was 69.
Police: Abused baby girl dies in Albuquerque
PAge A-12
Today Partly sunny and mild. High 62, low 31. PAge A-12
Pasapick www.pasatiempomagazine.com
The annual event featuring prixfixe lunches and dinners, and seminars, at local restaurants, continues daily through March 2. Visit www.newmexicorestaurant week.com for details. More events in Calendar, A-2 and Fridays in Pasatiempo
Police notes A-8
Editor: Ray Rivera, 986-3033, rrivera@sfnewmexican.com Design and headlines: Kristina Dunham, kdunham@sfnewmexican.com
Please see TRIBe, Page A-4
Comedic master Harold Ramis dies
Santa Fe Restaurant Week
262
The Fort Sill Apache Tribe owns just 30 acres in southwestern New Mexico, but it calls that land its reservation. Gov. Susana Martinez and her lawyers hold a different view, saying the Fort Sill Apaches are an Oklahoma tribe, and that they only want a toehold in New Mexico so they can open a casino. This dispute, simmering since 2011, next goes to the New Mexico Supreme Court. It will hear arguments March 10 on whether state government should recognize the Fort Sill Apaches as a New Mexico tribe. In briefs filed with the Supreme Court, Fort Sill Chairman Jeff Haozous described gambling as a sidelight to the lawsuit. “While the tribe may later seek to commence gaming operations on its reservation, the case is about recognition by the state of the tribe,” Haozous and the Fort Sill Apache legal team stated. Attorneys for Martinez and the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department frame the dispute differently. They contend that the Fort Sill Apaches’ interest in New Mexico is motivated by the prospect of running a casino in Luna County.
Mother’s 19-year-old boyfriend faces new charges in latest case to shine light on state’s poor child welfare By Susan Montoya Bryan
The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man accused of beating and raping his girlfriend’s 4-month-old daughter will face more serious charges now that the infant has died, police said Monday. The child died Sunday after spending two weeks on life support. Doctors determined she had suffered brain damage. The child was found with bruises and red marks on her face after authorities responded to the family’s home Feb. 7. Authorities arrested Elijah Fernandez, 19, earlier this month on charges of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and aggravated criminal sexual penetration. Albuquerque police Officer Tasia Martinez said Fernandez now faces a charge of child abuse resulting in death. Court records show an attorney has yet to be appointed for Fernandez, who was being held Monday at the Metropolitan Detention Center on $100,000 bond. Fernandez admitted to hitting the baby in the face because he was stressed about not having money and was angered by her crying, police said. In a criminal
Please see ABUSeD, Page A-4
Sports B-1
Time Out B-11
Local Business A-9
Main office: 983-3303 Late paper: 986-3010
Two sections, 24 pages 165th year, No. 56 Publication No. 596-440