Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 6

A-6 ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL Thursday, March 17, 1983 Legislature '83 .1 Bill 1 Abolish Party Pre -Primary Conventions Passes Sen. Michael Alarid, Rep. Max Coll, and Taxation and Revenue Secretary Vickie Fisher Look Over Tax Bill Senate Forges Own Tax Plan In Committee Continued From A-l 1983-84 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Another $28.3 million would be raised in the Rogers-Olguin plan by eliminating income-tax rebates on food purchases for all citizens with gross incomes of more than $16,000 a year. Requiring advance payments of corporate income tax would raise $12 million, and $10 million would shift to the General Funa from the Public School Reserve Fund.

Aland, who voted against the Rogers-Olguin plan in the Finance Committee, said later that it would focus on a tax the gross receipts (sales) tax that hits poor people harder. "It raises a regressive tax to the detriment of the poor," he said. Aland's proposal would raise $148.7 million for the General Fund, with $119.3 million from tax increases. The tax increases proposed by Alarid would be on personal and corporate income, gross receipts, coal, oil and gas and insurance premiums. Alarid's alternative would effectively remove increases proposed by the House bill for the nonresidential property tax, as well as a proposed change in liquor taxation.

The House-proposed coal-tax loumai Photo by BirfiaracUen Kocb From the Journal's Capitol Bureau SANTA FE The Senate on Wednesday passed and sent to the House a bill that would abolish the requirement that the two major political parties hold pre-primary nominating conventions. The vote was 33 to 1. At the same time, the House passed and sent to Gov. Toney Anaya a bill that would make it easier for minority party candidates to get on the general election ballot. Legislation to abolish the pre-primary nominating convention system was passed by both houses of the Legislature in 1979 but was vetoed by then-Gov.

Bruce King. Anaya was not immediately available for comment Wednesday on the two bills. The convention bill (SB192) is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mike Alarid, D-Bernalillo. If it becomes law, the state would return to a system in which candidates simply petition to get on the primary election ballots. Under the current system, major party candidates must file petitions in order to take part in the conventions and then must win 20 percent of the delegates in order to get ballot positions.

If they fail to win the necessary percentage, they must petition again to get on the ballots, ith an increased number of signatures required. Aland read the Senate a letter from state Land Commissioner Jim Baca, a Democrat, who said the nominating convention process causes an early financial burden on candidates and gives an advantage to well-organized special-interest groups. Republican Sen. Jack Stahl of Albuquerque said the nominating convention system "gives the public a perception of political boss-ism." Proponents of the nominating convention process contend that it is a fair and efficient way to narrow the field of majority party candidates for a primary election. The House passed the minority-parties bill (SB352) in a 29-to-22 vote.

Rep. Dick Minzner, D-Bernalillo, who carried the bill in the House for chief sponsor Sen. Lamar Gwaltney, D-Dona Ana, said minority party candidates now have petition signature requirements five to six times greater than those for majority party candidates trying to get on the general election ballot. Majority party candidates who fail to win a nominating convention ballot designation, and who still want to be on the general election ballot, must file petitions with signatures equal to 3 percent of the votes cast for their party's candidates for governor in the previous primary election. Current law requires minority party candidates, whose parties have far fewer registered voters, to file petitions with signatures equal to 3 percen, of the votes cast in the previous general election for governor or president, depending on the office the candidate is seeking Gwaltney's bill would lower the signature requirement to one-half of 1 percent.

fV- Coll said the Rogers-Olguin legislation is intended to force state government into approaching a budget deficit. "Republicans groove on that," he said. The state Constitution prohibits deficit spending. Thus, Coll said, "It vould make the governor decide to veto bills now or, by executive order, cut spending in government." Rogers said later that Coll is "totally wrong." But, he added, the proposal he co-sponsored would block more legislation that calls for recurring spending. "I don't think we need to pass a whole lot more recurring revenue bills," Rogers said.

While he said he's willing to compromise, Rogers said, "Until we get what's reasonable, we're not going to give." increase would be lighter, and the oil-and-gas increase would be flat, instead of rising over the years. industry lobbyists had objected to the House provisions involved. Both alternatives to the House bill would decrease additional funding to city and county governments, which would gain about $30 million under the House legislation. When the tax negotiations began in the afternoon, participants spoke pessimistically about the chances of fast resolution. "I'm not looking forward to a special session, but it looks to me like that's what we're heading for if they don't get in a more compromising attitude," Coll said, referring ro his adversaries among Republicans and conservative Democrats.

1 40 Sen. Alex Martinez Finance Committee Chairman House Passes Program To Expand Jury Lists In Other Action Daylight-Savin Time Survive Threat SANTA FE (AP) Rep. Bob Muran's proposal to eliminate daylight-saving time in New Mexico failed to receive the support of the House Wednesday. House Bill 205 was killed on a vote of 30 to 24, meaning the state will continue to "spring forward and fall back" every year. Under the federal Uniform Time Act.

which became effective in all states in 1967, daylight-saving time is achieved by advancing the clock one hour each spring Any state may exempt itself from the law, which Arizona. Hawaii and parts of Indiana have chosen to do. The bill by the Lea County Republican proposed exemption in New Mexico. The Uniform Time Act was initiated by Congress to save electricity, but Moran has contended "it doesn't work." Similar proposals have been introduced to the legislature in past years but, like Moran's bill, have failed. SANTA FE (AP) Legislation that would establish a pilot program for selecting juries narrowly passed the House Wednesday on a vote of 33 to 27.

Under Senate Bill 136, a program would be established in Valencia, Sandoval and Cibola counties to expand jury lists by using names from driver's license lists rather than from voter rolls. The three counties make up the 13th Judicial District. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Manny Aragon, D-Bernalillo, already has cleared the Senate, but must go back for concurrence on a House amendment Education Finance Panel Get Voting Student SANTA KE (AP) Gov. Toney Anaya has signed into law a bill giving New Mexico college students a voting member on the state Board of Educational Finance The board now consists of 1 1 citizens appointed by the governor and two non voting students.

The new law would retain one non-voting student member. The bill, signed Tuesday, calls for the student voting and non-voting slots to be filled annually by a rotation system that includes all of the state's publicly financed universities and junior colleges. Senate OK Expansion of Death Penalty SANTA FE (AP) Murder of a judge or a prosecutor in retaliation for participation in a criminal proceeding would be a crime carrying the death penalty under terms of a bill passed Wednesday by the Senate. The measure (HB375) also extends death penalty enures to include murder by an escapee from a state prison or retaliation murder of a state correctional officer outside the confines of a prison. The bill passed the House last week and was approved 31 to 9 Wednesday by the Senate.

It must go back to the House for concurrence with minor Senate amendments. Under current law there are seven death penalty crimes. These are murder of a peace officer who is on official duty, murder during the commission of the crimes of kidnapping or rape, murder while attempting to escape from prison, murder by an inmate of another inmate, murder in prison of a Corrections Department employee, murder for hire, and murder of a witness or potential witness or in retaliation against a person who appeared as a witness. the past four to five years and called it a "back-door approach" to expanding the jury list. He said the apparent intention is to try the program in "one little area of the state and expand it to the entire state." Foy said it was true that if the program works in the 13th Judicial District, a recommendation would be made to the Legislature in 1987 to initiate the program statewide.

Scott said the law requires a person be tried by a jury of his peers and that the driver's license selections would include people who are unwilling to register and vote, which he thought would disqualify them as peers. He also said driver's license lists include people who are underage. In New Mexico, people must be 18 years of age or older to qualify as jurors. Rep. Ray M.

Vargas, D-Beraalillo, said he supported the bill because it provides a "broader base" from which to select juries. "Better decisions would be made and it would broaden the community conscience," Vargas said. The amendment by the House Judiciary Committee would require verification of citizenship prior to accepting a juror who is not a registered voter. Rep. Thomas P.

Foy, D-Grant-Hidalgo, who carried the bill in the House, said the pilot program is designed to provide a larger list of people from which to select juries. Rep. Bcyd Scott, R-San Juan, said the idea had been before the Legislature three or four times in Proposal To Legalize Some Bets Tabled From the Journal's Capitol Bureau SANTA FE A bill aimed at legalizing friendly bets under $10 was tabled by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, but the committee chairman said the measure may be reconsidered. The committee tabled Ihe bill on a voice vote after two 5-to-5 tie votes failed to adopt either a favorable or unfavorable recommendation. The committee chairman, Rep.

Thomas Foy, said if the bill is redrafted, the committee will reconsider it. Sen Manny Aragon, D-Bernalillo, said his bill (SB298) is realistic. "The laws of the state of New Mexico are so broad that to start a high school football game with a flip of a coin is illegal. What this tries to recognize is that things like that happen every day," he told the committee. Bernalillo County District Attorney Steven Schiff, sitting with Aragon, said he drafted the bill at Aragon's request but that he isn't a proponent.

"The District Attorneys Association has no position on the bill. But I could speak as follows for the association that I would caution, as the Albuquerque Journal did, that there is some risk that something could be let in," Schiff said, referring to a Journal editorial. Schiff said he tried to write language as narrowly and carefully as possible to have the bill apply only to friendly wagering. Schiff said Aragon didn't intend to legalize bookmaking, but he said any time there is an expansion of gambling, laws there's the possibility of abuse. Rep.

Leonard Sheffield, D-Otero-Lincoln, concluded, "This is a bill that has no effect on society and it isn't needed." Wage Boost Backed for Tip-Earners From the Journal's Capitol Bureau SANTA FE The House Labor Committee on Wednesday endorsed by a 4-to-l vote a bill that would raise the minimum hourly wage from $1.60 to $2.35 for employees who regularly earn more than $40 a month in tips. The measure (SB29) is aimed primarily at restaurant employees. Rep. Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, successfully amended in the $2.35 rate. He said it would most benefit people who wait on tables at smaller restaurants where customers give smaller tips.

Sen. Francisco Gonzales, D-Taos-Mora-San Miguel, was prime sponsor of the bill, which originally proposed a $2.01 state minimum for tipped employees. The state minimum for all other workers is $3.35 an hour. Finance Panel Endorses New District Judgeships Legislative Summary The 11th District (San Juan and McKinley counties) now has three judges and would be increased to four. The bill provides for three of the judges to maintain their principal offices in San Juan County and one to be located in McKinley County.

The 12th District (Lincoln and Otero counties) would gain a judge to bring the total to three. Two of the judges would maintain their offices in Otero County and one would be located in Lincoln County. The 13th District (Sandoval, Valencia and Cibola counties) now has three judges and would be increased to four. Two of the current judges have their offices in Valencia County and one is in Sandoval County. The new judge would be located in Cibola County.

If the bill passes the Senate, it must be returned to the House for concurrence with the Senate amendment. SANTA FE (AP; The Senate Finance Committee gave its approval Wednesday to a bill to create six new district judgeships, effective on Jan. 1, 1985. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for action. As passed by the House last week, HB275-293-459 substitute created additional judicial positions in the 5th, 11th, 12th and 13th districts.

Sen. Tito Chavez, D-Bernalillo, amended the bill Wednesday as it was heard in the Senate Finance Committee to add two new judges in the 2nd Judicial District, which includes Bernalillo County. The bill provides that the new judges will be elected in 1984 and take office on Jan. 1, 1985. Since the positions will not be created until the 1984-85 fiscal year, there is no money provided in the bill.

The Fifth Judicial District (Lea, Eddy, and Chaves counties) now has six district judges and would be increased to seven. HB274 Community assistance funding (House concurred with Senate amendments). Passed by the Senate: SB66-HB2S Sub Imitation controlled substances act (24-0). SB340 Hospital equipment loan act (28-0). SB262 Catron County fairgrounds (32-0).

SB242 Criminal justice statistical analysis center (38-0). SB220 Sub Community action act (33-0). SB15S Sub Tuition charges (33-0). SB23 Sub State Highway 264 (27-10). SB192 Aboslish preprimary convention (33-1).

HB425 Sub New Mexico border commission (354). HB398 Sub Correctional officers housing (30-10). HB322 Veterans' exemptions (35-0). HB285 Sub Agricultural commodity act (37-0). HB260 Solar power loan act (37-0).

HB259 Agricultural dev'depaent (35-0). HB207 Pnmary health care programs (33-0). HB189 Alcohol, drug abuse bureaus (37-0). HB177 Shelter care supplements (38-0). KB165 Community block grant program (38-U).

HB408 Liquor governmental licenses (21-20). HB240 Victim notification, escapees (38-0). HB11 Emergency management act (37-0). HB23i Occupational diseases (35-0). HB37S Capital felony sentencing (31-9).

HB172 Motor vehicle speed limits, insurance (36-0). The Associated Press Wednesday, March 16 Introduced In the House: HM61 (Fettinger, Sheffield) In memory of Father Albert Braun (immediate action). i HM62 (Samberson, others) Congratulating the Lovington High School basketball team (immediate action). Passed by the House: HM52 Congratulating the Melrose High School girls' basketball team (70-0). HBS3 Congratulating James Wall Jr.

(70-0). H.M54 Congratulating the College of Santa Fe basketball team (70-0). HM23 In memory of Eleuterio J. Martinez Sr. (70-0).

HJM26 In memory of Austin Roberts (70-0). HM61 In memory of Father Albert Braun (70-0). HM62 Congratulating the Lovingtoti High School basketball team (7(H)). SB60 Relating to licensure (55-0). SB129 Sub Relating to the Mortgage Finance Authority (41-7).

SB1M Relating to juror selection (33-27). SB145 Relating to the State Highway Department (52-0). SB188 Relatmg to motor carriers (49-6). SB200 Relating to counties (38-14). SB201 Relatmg to the small loan act (50-0).

SB214 Relating to motor vehicles wles finance (48-0). SB257 Relating to municipalities (53-0). SB261 Relating to public finances (52-0). SBM7 Relating to solemnization of marriage (57-0). SB289 Relating to conservancy districts (52-0).

SB328 Relating to law enforcement (48 0). SB3S2 Relating to elections (29-22). SJM3 In memory of Robert E. Smith Sr. (70-0).

SJM13 Fourth of July Loop Road in Torrance County (52-0). SJM14 In memory of Leslie Green (70-0). Killed by the House: HB205 Standard time (24-30 failed). SB143 Child abuse abandonment (adverse committee report adopted). HB213 Educational opportunities act (adverse committee report adopted).

HB4W Public administration internship program (adverse committee report adopted). Concurred by the House: HB75 Adult drive-in theaters (House concurred with Senate amendments). HB48 Personnel act exceptions (House concurred with Senate adendments). HB1S State permanent fund investment (House concurred with Senate amendments). HB414 Resident business defined (House concurred with Senate amendments)..