Chris Clark

Legislative Roundup: 38 Days Remaining In 2021 Session

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Legislative Roundup
SFNM

Predatory lending bill advances: Legislation that would cut the maximum annual interest rate on small loans from 175 percent to 36 percent cleared the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on a 7-4 party-line vote, with Democrats voting in favor.

In addition to capping small-loan interest rates at 36 percent, Senate Bill 66 would raise the loan amount regulated by the law from $5,000 to $10,000, a move designed “to prevent lenders from sidestepping the law by lending just over $5,000,” according to Think New Mexico, a Santa Fe-based think Read More

Los Alamos National Laboratory Spends $413 Million With New Mexico Small Businesses In FY 2020

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Velarde-based Freshies of New Mexico collaborated with the LANL’s New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBA), which identified temperature-monitoring equipment the orchard could use for tracking erratic weather. Armed with data, the business confidently invested in greenhouses to protect its orchards from loss of fruit—and profits—due to untimely frosts. NMSBA helps for-profit businesses solve technical challenges by connecting them with subject-matter experts and new technologies. Courtesy/LANL

LANL increased its procurement contracts with New Mexico small businesses Read More

LAPS Teachers, Nurse And Librarian Honored With Multiple Nominations For 2020 Community Asset Awards

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Los Alamos Middle School math teacher Christina Wadlington nominated for the 2020 Community Asset Awards for always having the ‘show up’ mentality. Courtesy Photo

Los Alamos Middle School Nurse Minsung Chae with her husband and sons. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
C’YA

The Los Alamos Middle School does the community proud with multiple nominations for the 2020 Community Asset Awards.

We begin with Christina Wadlington, math teacher, department chair, and student council leader. She was nominated for always having the show up mentality. She is committed to Read More

Amateur Naturalist: Carvings In Stone … Who Made Them?

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By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos

The historic artifacts that are seen the most often are on a large or small scale. The cliff dwellings in Bandelier National Monument are an example of large-scale artifacts.

Pottery shards are at the other end of scale, particularly when they have an artistic carving or painting on them. However, there are artifacts that are in the mid-scale range. These also are of interest but are not as common.

We had discussed boulders previously that are in the high country. They represent artifacts in the mid-range. They are about two to three feet across with distinctive circular Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s Push For FEMA Cost Share Reimbursement Pays Off For New Mexico

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) request was granted by the Biden administration to retroactively reimburse state, local, Tribal and territorial governments for 100 percent rather than 75 percent of eligible emergency costs related to fighting COVID-19.

President Joe Biden directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase the federal cost share in a memo signed this week.

This means New Mexico will receive additional federal funding to cover the full cost of previously approved activities undertaken Read More

U.S. Sen. Luján Statement On Senate Passage Of Budget Resolution, Progress Toward COVID-19 Relief Package

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

From The Office Of: U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Senate passage of a budget resolution at 5:30 a.m. ET, today after a 15-hour overnight voting session.

The resolution is an important procedural step needed to urgently pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package with a simple majority.

“January was the deadliest month on record since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; and New Mexicans have lost more than 3,300 of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones to this virus. From our largest cities Read More

Several Pieces Of Legislation For Pandemic Relief Expected To Head To Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Desk Soon

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House Speaker Brian Egolf speaks during a virtual briefing with reporters Thursday. Screenshot/SFNM

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
SFNM

They say the wheels of government turn slowly.

New Mexico lawmakers seem intent on proving the old adage wrong.

Several pieces of legislation designed to help New Mexico residents and business owners deal with the economic pain of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to head to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk for approval soon.

“We are focused, as I said at the beginning of the session, on recovery, recovery, recovery,” House Speaker Brian Egolf  Read More

Automatic Voter Registration Coalition, Lawmakers To Hold Virtual Rally To Announce 2021 Democracy Legislation

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ProgressNow New Mexico News:

SANTA FE — Today, Feb. 4, the New Mexico Coalition for Automatic Voter Registration will hold a virtual rally alongside several state lawmakers.

The virtual rally will kick off the recently-introduced S.B. 14, a bill to implement back-end automatic voter registration (AVR) that will strengthen New Mexico’s democracy, increase accessibility to the polls for all eligible voters, enhance election security, and save taxpayer dollars.

RSVP for the Virtual Rally Here

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: A virtual rally to kick-off S.B. 14 and introduce back-end automatic voter Read More

Santa Fe Animal Shelter Hosts ‘Love Above All Valentine’s Pet Photo Contest’ Benefiting Senior Homeless Animals

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Courtesy/SFAS

 

SFAS News:

Do you have a cute pet photo and want to help out with senior animals in need? The Santa Fe Animal Shelter (SFAS) is hosting a “Love Above All Valentine’s Pet Photo Contest” to fundraise for their cause.

If you want to participate, submit your best photo of your companion pet, set a personal fundraising goal, and collect votes for your chance to win.

Some prizes up for grabs include jewelry from Kendra Scott, a $250 gift card for Target, six online training classes for your dog, a $100 gift card to Thaw Animal Hospital, shelter hoodies, t-shirts and more!

The Love Above

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