Carlsbad Current-Argus from Carlsbad, New Mexico • 3

SANTA FE(AP) Gov. Bruce King's proposed $2.6 billion budget has met with sharp criticism from a top Democratic legislative leader on the issues of tax relief and spending increases. Senate President Pro Tern Manny Araeon. D-Albuaueraue. objected Monday to King pro-.

i posai tor MIX) million in tax relief and a 10 percent overall increase in state spending in the fiscal vear GOV. King Finance Committee, which makes budget proposals to the Legislature. ARAGON, A member of the LFC, said in an interview that some of the state's projected tax windfall "has got to be saved and invested wisely this year and be available for investment next year." Aragon said he probably would support permanent tax cuts of about one-third the amount recommended by King. He said the Legislature should increase the state's operating budget by less than $200 million next year. If all King's budget proposals were approved by lawmakers, state would end the next fiscal year with cash reserves of $152 million.

The state would have nearly $300 million in reserves at the end of the current budget year unless lawmakers approved tax cuts or additional spending increases, both of which King isrecommending. THE LEGISLATURE convenes next week for a 30-day session, but King outlined his spending blueprint early so lawmakers could begin reviewing his proposals and start fashioning a budget bill "It's a very appropriate budget," King said. "We see nothing in the budget that would have a built-in effect of feeding tax increases down the line." Key tax provisions of King's budget call for Repeal of 5 cents of the 6-cents-a-gallon increase, in the gasoline tax that he and the Legislature approved last year. That will cost about $40 million. $18 million in permanent tax breaks for the working poor through a low-income earned tax credit for families earning up to $25,000 a year.

$42 million in a one-time income tax rebate this year for all New Mexico taxpayers. In general, the governor proposed a $27 rebate for each exemption claimed by taxpayers on their tax forms. An interim legislative committee has suggested a slightly smaller tax rebate. Because of economic growth in New Mexico, the Legislature and King will have about $300 million in extra tax money next year to work with in writing the state's budget. King's budget would increase general fund spending by $237 million next year.

That's about $68 million, or 3 percent, more than recommended by the Legislative King faces a fight in the Legislature over how to provide tax. relief. Aragon and other Democratic legislative leaders opposed repealing the gasoline tax. They say cutting that tax couldn't guarantee pump prices would fall. An interim committee has recommended tax relief proposals totalling about $93 million, including $35 million in permanent income tax cuts and a $35 million one-time income tax rebate.

Teacher unions oppose cutting the gasoline tax because the Legislature gave education most of the money from last year's increase. Education would benefit most from King's proposed budget increases. KING RECOMMENDED a nearly 1 1 percent boost in state money for public schools next year, teachers would receive an average pay increase of 6 percent Charles Bowyer, president of the National Education Association-New Mexico, said King's budget provided a "better starting place" for schools than previous legislative proposals but still didn't adequately address educational needs. beginning July 1. "What he is proposing out there is just spend it all and give the rest back," Aragon said.

He said King's budget "is not really being prudent when you look into future years." AT A news conference to outline his budget proposals to the Legislature, King described his next year's spending blueprint as "very remarkable" because it addressed needs in education and other programs, provided tax breaks to residents and still maintained a financial cushion for the state. Springer escapees face prison terms IN BRIEF By the Associated Press mit a violent felony. They were accused of beating and choking a Boys' School custodian, Albert Villapando, then stealing his truck to escape from the school. Caldwell sentenced Gallegos to nine years in a state penitentiary, Fernandez said. He suspended all but six years, she said.

Romero was sentenced to nine years, and all but four years were suspended, Fernandez said. Both teens were transported to Colfax County Detention Center and are awaiting transport to the Corrections Department, she said. Two other 17-year-olds accused in a bullet-punctuated escape from the New Mexico Boys' School at Springer in October admitted in court today to felony counts against them. David Lopez and Johnny Lee Padilla, both of Albu- Two teen-agers who escaped from the New Mexico Boys' School in August will serve time in prison, and two other teens who escaped in October could face prison terms, officials said. State District Judge Joseph Caldwell sentenced Rob-, ert Gallegos, now 18, and Ricky Romero, 16, to prison terms in a court hearing in Raton, assistant district attorney Leslie Fernandez said Monday.

The teens escaped from the Boys' School Aug. 20. Caldwell found that the teens, both from Las Vegas, N.M., are not amenable to treatment as juveniles in the state's available facilities, she said. A Children's Court proceeding last month determined that Gallegos and Romero committed aggravated battery, robbery and assault with intent to com Man In Friday wreck faces homicide by vehicle charge By DAVID MADRID Current-Argus staff writer School board to discuss architectural contracts CARLSBAD The Carlsbad Board of Education is to meet in special session to discuss architectural contracts for additional construction at Alia Vista Middle School and to discuss limited personnel matters. The board is to convene at 6 p.m.

today in the board room of the School Administration Building, 408 N. Canyon St. An additional 18,963 square feet requested by Alia Vista, according to Carlsbad Superintendent Anna Perez, could cost between $833,333 and $1.2 million. She said that this project was not originally set to begin at this time, but that "community interests are demanding more services and attendant facilities, beyond the amounts allocated from the bond issue. "The remodeling andor new facilities are not new on the list of needs (determined for reorganization), but were considered for future projects," she said.

"Current demand is to stretch the construction dollar and begin (the additional construction) during the present construction to provide the additional facility." At tonight's meeting, the board may choose to limit the scope of the project or to set other parameters for its completion. The regular monthly meeting of the board is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 18. Quality Inn to celebrate grand opening today CARLSB AD The 116-room Quality Inn will mark iu grand opening from p.m.

today at 3706 National Parks Highway with appearances scheduled by Carlsbad Mayor Bob Forrest, U.S. Congressman Joe Skccn and Chamber of Commerce Gold Coalers. Quality Inn is I member of the Choice Hotels International chain of motels and hotels. "With our newly refurbished facilities and enhanced services, the Quality Inn looks forward to being an integral player in the Carlsbad community," said Charles Parham, general manager. The Quality Inn of Carlsbad recently completed I $500,000 renovation, refurbishing all guest rooms, meeting facilities and public areas.

Meeting facilities can accommodate groups up to 300, catering to out-of-town and local businesses and organizations. querque, also appeared before Caldwell for trial, Fernandez said. But in a surprise move, both entered pleas to lesser charges. Lopez admitted armed robbery and single counts of assault with intent to commit armed robbery and assault with intent to commit murder, Fernandez said. Padilla admitted to armed robbery and assault with intent to commit armed robbery, she said.

Under the children's code, juveniles do not plead guilty, she said. Lopez and Padilla are accused of trying to shoot a guard, locking him in a classroom, taking his keys and escaping in his pickup truck Oct. 4. Fernandez said this was the first time her office used the state's revised Children's Code, which took effect July 1. GTE pinpoints problem with phone listings By TONI WALKER Current-Aram atatl writer CARLSBAD GTE Southwest telephone company has pinpointed why some new residents' phone numbers aren't making it into the telephone listings.

GTE's Carlsbad manager Mike Hood contributed the problem to two factors: outdated procedures and human error. Under GTE's service policy, a customer's telephone number should be available 72 hours after service is connected. But in the past weeks, relatives of new residents were unable to obtain their family's new listings. LAST WEEK, a US. West representative said GTE sends customers' service orders via magnetic tape to U.S.

West's Denver office where the information is transferred lo a data base accessible by operators. However, Hood said GTE's computers here are not compatible with those of U.S. West, which means the information is not sent by magnetic tape. "We send paper copies of the orders and U.S. West keypunches (the information) into their computer," Hood said.

He said the telephone company maintains an objective to have telephone numbers available 72 hours after service is connected. "BUT THAT explains why some arc not getting in there. Apparently we're losing a few due to human error. When you're sitting there key punching, mistakes happen. "I don't think it's a big problem.

We're just losing a few," he said. Hood said GTE is working with VS. West to find a compatible computer system. Guillen, 21, were in the Guillen car at the time of the accident. Armando Guillen was dead at the scene, and everyone else involved in the accident was transported to Guadalupe Medical Center emergency room where they were treated and released.

Magistrate Nancy Beard set a preliminary hearing for 9 a.m. March 9 and an appearance bond of $10,000. Homicide by vehicle is a third-degree felony punishable by as much as three years in prison and a fine of $25,000. ACCORDING TO the criminal complaint, Phillips admitted to drinking five or six beers before driving that evening. Several open containers were found at the accident scene in and around Phillip's vehicle, the complaint shows.

A blood test was performed to determine Phillip's blood alcohol content, but those results are not yet available. CARLSBAD A Carlsbad man involved in a head-on collision which caused the death of a Lake Arthur man Friday night was arraigned in Magistrate Court Monday on a charge of homicide by vehicle. Michael PhUlips, 20. 1600 N. Mission is accused by prosecutors of driving after drinking alcoholic beverages and causing the accident which killed 45-year-old Armando Guillen.

A STATE police report showed Phillips was driving a 1989 Ford F150 pickup truck southbound when he crossed the center line and collided with the 1982 Mustang driven by Guillen at 11:10 p.m. about 18 miles north of Carlsbad. Scou Rickcr, 19. of Carlsbad, was the only passenger in the Phillips vehicle. Rose Guillen, 22, Scrio Guillen, 2, and Juan Archbishop: More lawsuits settled "There have been problems and troubles, and I have been given the task by the Holy Father of restoring the faith," he said Sunday.

"I can't do Jt alone. "There are rxoblcms of the scandals that we are facing in the archdiocese, and the problems are financial. We need the help of every parish," he said. Shcchan told the congregation the nine most recent settlements came Friday in cases involving incidents that allegedly occurred before 1977. He declined in an interview after Mass to give details about the settlements because of an agreement between attorneys for the Roman Catholic archdiocese and for the plaintiffs.

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) Archbishop Michael Shcchan hat told a Catholic congregation here that nine more sexual abuse lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe have been scaled. But Shcchan told 300 parishioners Sunday at Our Lady of Fatima Church that more help is needed from the state's Catholics to come up with money to help scale the lawsuits. "I come at a rather painful lime for our archdiocese," said Shcchan, who said last month that the archdiocese had settled 18 of 41 lawsuits seeking about $50 million. Governor: No legislation to restrict loaded weapons Woman who allegedly took her grandson goes on trial Cartoonist Yeh to appear Jan. 18-20 CARLSBAD Parents, students and teachers from five elementary schools are set to hear cartoonist and speaker Phil Ych beginning Jan.

18. Yen Is to be speaking to these school audiences with rtg.vd to his self-proclaimed mission into the year 2000 literacy, recycling and imi-vio-lence. The assembly schedule includes: Jan. IS: 1 p.m., Eddy School; Jan. 19: 8:45 Puckcu School: 10:10 E.M Smith School: Jan.

20: 8:43 Pate School; 10.15 l.m Edison Kindergarten Center. Ych Is also to make an appearance at New Mexico State University at Carlsbad on Wednesday Jan. 19. Cavo not 'new anymore CARLSBAD CAVERNS It's not new name, lust a return lo th old one. The US.

Board on Geographic Names has sp proved request by Cartload Cavcmi National Park to return what was "New Cave" to Ui historic name, 'Slaughter Canyon Cave, Slaughter Canyon Cave, in if southwestern part of the it oncn to the Public by reserva have exempted peace officers; people would have been able to carry loaded weapons on their own property, when hunting or while Liking part in firearms training. Current stale law has few restrictions on carrying unconcealed loaded weapons. The tak force also had recommended making it illegal lo possess loaded weapons in motor SANTA FE (AP) Gov. Bruce King won't propose legislation to restrict the rights of adults to carry loaded weapons. "I think the people of New Mexico would not subscribe to that, and I just work here," King said Monday.

The governor's Task Force on Crime recommended last week that King seek law that would have barred adults from carrying loaded firearms. The law would CARLSBAD (AP) A grandmother who allegedly look her grandson for 20 months without her daughter's permission went on trial here on charges of custodial interference. Patricia Farmer, 31, of Monument, N.M was charged in Lovington with custodial interference in December 1992, but the trial is being held in CarUbad because of media attention. The case had been the sui-joct tit leg-menu on the "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Maury Povkh television showi. Farmer had disappeared with Jcrad Lee Peters, who was i years old at the time, on Doc.

II, 1990, authorities said. They were missing until Aug. 19, 1992, when a woman in Salt Lake City saw Jcrad on television and called police. Jcrad and his mother, Udonrui Chew, were reunited three days later, according to court records. After Farmer and the boy disappeared, the Lea County Sheriffs Department and the FBI tracked them to Gulf Shores, where they had staved about eight months with other relatives.

But the two disappeared again, authorities said. Students plan to advise senator on crime tion on wcflcndi In the winter and daily front bor Day to Memorial Day. Slaughter Canyon Gv the name used on tarty correspondence shout the cave and was the name that appeared on the Tint guano mining lease, rtcof dod in the 1910, It was called New Cave to distirfukh from CtfUM Ca vem, te with the discovery of thuniiJj Cave and 80 other cam in 0 park, that title frcame more of I crmfution. Park ran em Mkl they did not know which "new cave" inquiring vuitnrl mcsnt Th rt1 rr in September of 1 7)1 that Slai'itf Canyon Cae he td on future Girls Inc. offers event Continued from page 1 girts in the age-group, whether Girl Scouts or not, said Laccwcll, and will require fee of S3 per irl.

Joining the Girl Scouts for the event are: Cheryl's School of Dance, the CarUbad Academy of Tumbling, the Carlsbad High School Varsity Cheerleaders end Erin O'Brien and Kristcn Scov-el "We'll have a couple of different ability levels in all of the events, LaccwcH said. Elementary students are lo be released at 12:40 pm. Wednesday, followed by middle school students at 1.03 p.m., P.R. Leyvi junior High School at 1:10 p.m. and CarUbad High School at 1:13 p.m.

crimes In it) is country are not tried by I group of their peers, since teens are sliowed to serve on juries. Another student lAed Kidd If trying teens as adults violates (heir rights concern in cruel and unusual punishment HE RESPONDED that "depends on your tion of cruel and unusual punishment, calling the United States i country of excesses and saying, (the Ui.) usually go too far In one direction or the other with re card to moral dilemma. Kidd ilkd (hat 'juvenile Justice depends on the term in the tame way (hat society dictates what is Cruel md tmumal, by what is socially acceptable. As Kidd cloned the diuton, he gave his new com-miiuon members in alignment lo discuss the most common forms of misbehavior among their age group. They are to come with some recommendations as to what flight be done.

and voted on winch fcttcr was best Edini mailed copies of Mcndcs letter to every senator and live In New Mexico. KIDD CHOSE 10 rtnxmd In person, and Eskini said was worthwhile boost 10 (he tuhjecu studied toherclaa 'We studied 1 great oVal about their rights and at citizens, she laid, adding that Sen. KidJ'i visit allowed her studcnti to ace (hat everyone Can have voke In frrvemment. Two Uufj that Kidd disnn.cd w'uh the Iron were whether trmi should be the privilrgci cf adulthood if they are to be tried as adults and hrther pr-ijle should be rrp-4c In deeds. 1 ONE STUDENT S5frcd that iceni tried for intinri of U5.

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