Smith, who leads a committee that handles tax and budget issues, said he had concerns about the possible costs of tax cuts in coming years. Several business tax incentives were approved in recent years only to find out later that the state’s actual loss of revenue far exceeded what had been projected when the Legislature approved the measures.

Martinez has made business tax cuts a centerpiece of her legislative agenda for economic development. She proposed a reduction in the corporate income tax rate to 4.9 percent from 7.6 percent over several years. The governor and her supporters contend New Mexico’s tax rate is high, particularly compared to neighboring states, and that makes it difficult to attract companies.

Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, chairman of the compact committee, said Thursday that he wasn’t sure whether he would introduce the compact to the full Legislature before the 60-day session ends at noon Saturday because the controversy surrounding it might mean long debates that would derail action on other bills.

“I don’t think it’s fair to shut everything down to do that,” Muñoz said.

“It is only in the time of negotiation,” said Crook about when certain documents would be exempt from inspection of the public eye. “As soon as (a negotiation’s) been made, it’s public information again,” Crook said.

Information that would involve things such as incentives for businesses or financial documents disclosed when negotiations take place would be exempt. The bill has passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.

If you’ve spent any time at the Roundhouse in the last 33 years, you’ve probably met Nannie (pronounced nahni, Hawaiian for “beautiful,” which suits her), scurrying in the halls, ferrying bills and other documents for the various top-shelf legislators she’s worked for, buttonholing lawmakers she knows on a first-name basis for her latest cause or passionately speaking before committees on behalf of the developmentally disabled.

In Santa Fe, she is known as the ambassador of the developmentally disabled.

She is also developmentally disabled.

SFR also filed a second request asking to see the checklist of campaign promises that Martinez apparently told the New York Times she keeps in her office. On Feb. 24, Times reporter Fernanda Santos wrote:

Ms. Martinez said she keeps a list of the promises she made during her election campaign and puts check marks next to those she has fulfilled.

At the conclusion of the debate, Council Chair Geoff Rodgers asked county staffers to return with a revised proposal to conduct a Friday meeting every other month for a calendar year. Council will vote on the motion March 26.

Still, the park is receiving calls from potential visitors checking to see if it is open because of the automatic budget cuts, Benjamin said. "We tell them 'heck no, we are open.' We are doing everything we can do to get the word out that we are not closed. It appears we're sacrificing other things to keep the park open and the accessibility to visitors. We want people to know that. So far, that is working," Benjamin said.