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Senate Proposes Elected Board of Education

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Sen. Michael Padilla

STATE News:

SANTA FE—Legislation that would let voters decide whether to let public school education policy be decided by professional educators, instead of the changing gubernatorial administrations, was reviewed by the Senate Judicial Committee in the Roundhouse Saturday afternoon.

Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2) proposes to create an elected state Board of Education that will appoint a qualified superintendent of education.

“These last few years have seen the public schools in New Mexico being directed by the political climate of the governor’s administration Read More

Column: Billions Sitting on the Sidelines While Critical Ideas Lack Funding

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By SEN. TIM KELLER
Senate Majority Whip

As the legislative session winds down and the final budget is crafted, I can’t help but reflect on one of the great tragedies of current state government. With every tax break, education program, special interest and critical line item being accounted for, it is easy to forget that our state government is awash in cash.

There are hundreds of millions of unused tax dollars, excess bonding capacity and thousands of unfilled jobs, tucked away throughout state government. Meanwhile, critical government services, water projects, ‘big idea’ education and Read More

Senate Passes Memorial Celebrating Fifth Anniversary of International District

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STATE News:

SANTA FE–The New Mexico State Senate passed Senate Memorial 90, recognizing the fifth anniversary of the “International District,” previously known as the “War Zone.”

Sen. Tim Keller, D-Bernalillo led the charge in 2009 to erase the negative “War Zone” label by changing the name of the area in Albuquerque to the “International District.” That was accomplished with the 2009 passage of Senate Joint Memorial 24, which mirrored county and city legislation.

“Our desire for a new identity truly came from the ground up. We have much to be proud of, much to celebrate, and we offer the broadest Read More

Legislators Ask AG to Expand Investigation of Controversial Lease Award

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New Mexico Roundhouse

STATE News:

SANTA FE—A group of 14 state legislators, prompted by information learned in the Senate Rules Committee (SRC) this week, sent a letter to the Attorney General Thursday requesting that the office expand its investigation of the controversial lease award to The Downs Racetrack & Casino.

The letter, signed by eight senators and six representatives, is based upon statements made public from three former and current State Fair Commissioners, all Republican appointees of Gov. Susana Martinez. Current State Fair commissioner Kenneth “Twister” Smith, Read More

Senate Passes Legislation to Help State Permanent Fund

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State News:

With bipartisan support, the Senate passed legislation Saturday that, if voters approve, will allow state investors to take greater advantage of a burgeoning global economy, which throughout the last decade has proven to outperform current investment strategies required by law.

Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJR4) seeks to let voters decide whether to amend the state constitution to remove the current 15 percent cap on what can be invested on international securities. Since the cap on foreign investment was put into place in 1992, the global economy has grown tremendously and New Read More

PEEC Interviews Volunteer Hedy Dunn

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Hedy Dunn. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Hedy Dunn is a volunteer in the true sense of the word. Since retiring from her position as director of the Los Alamos Historical Museum in 2011, she has taken on many volunteer responsibilities, not only at Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), but also at the Santa Fe Opera, Bandelier National Monument, the Fuller Lodge Historic District Advisory Board and the Los Alamos Historical Society.

PEEC sat down with Dunn to learn more about her and all that she does to give back to her community:

PEEC: Hedy, you volunteer with a number of different organizations. Read More

Family Home Lost to Fire: Donations Needed

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Donations are coming in for Tony Romero. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

Donations for Los Alamos High School Custodian Tony Romero are being collected through the month of February at Chamisa Elementary and Los Alamos High School.

Romero and son Jesse were startled from their sleep earlier last month when their home caught fire. Romero had hoped to retire after 35 years with the district, but now plans to transition from hotel to home later this month.

Donations can also be sent to the Prevention Office at 1300 Diamond Dr. in Los Alamos.
  Read More

Steinborn Introduces Bill to Study Water Conservation

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 Rep. Jeff Steinborn 

STATE News:

Legislation Brings Together Top Water Programs at NMSU and UNM to Study Best Water Conservation Ideas Across the Globe

SANTA FE—In an effort to develop new ideas to better conserve our limited water resources, Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Dona Ana, has introduced House Memorial 83 to conduct a significant far reaching study. HM 83 (Assess Best Water Conservation Practices) would bring together the New Mexico State University Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and University of New Mexico Utton Transboundary Resources Center (UTRC) to “conduct Read More

PEEC Summer Camp Registration Opens

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Courtesy/PEEC

Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

  • PEEC Offers Fun, Educational and “Epic” Summer Camps 
for Kids Entering Grades 4 through 8

Is your child looking to have a great adventure this summer? Do you want him or her to learn about nature and the environment all the while making friends and having a lot of fun? The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) has announced that registration is now open for its popular summer programs: Nature Odyssey for kids entering grades 4-6, and Living Earth Adventure Program (LEAP) for kids entering grades 7-8.

Both day camps will run June 9-13, and attendance Read More

Ranchers May Sign up for Farm Bill Drought Disaster Aid within 60 Days

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture will soon enable livestock producers to sign up for disaster assistance, which the senators helped to pass in the Farm Bill earlier this month.

The assistance is being expedited—signups will begin in 60 days—at the request of Udall, Heinrich and several other senators from western states, where producers have been struggling with several years of drought. The program provides assistance to ranchers who experienced grazing and livestock losses due to natural disasters Read More