By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

It was an action-packed 30-day legislative session, NM Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler told Los Alamos County Council during its regular meeting Tuesday.

In fact, she said the House had two all-nighters. In the end, she reported that 505 bills were filed – 250 from the House and 255 from the Senate. Of those bills, 64 were passed. The most important job of the legislature is to pass the budget, Chandler said. Fortunately, the state’s revenue is extremely high, she said. This is largely due to oil and gas, but she noted revenue from income tax and property taxes increased. The final budget totals $8.4 billion and features a 14 percent increase in spending and a 30 percent reserve. One of the highlights was funding for public education, which received a little more than a 12 percent increase. Educators got a salary raise: $10,000 increase for each teacher level in addition to a 7 percent raise for individuals.

Bills that Chandler sponsored or co-sponsored included:

• A tax package (HB 163)
• A proposed constitutional amendment to anti-donation clause for state investment in infrastructure
• Easy Enrollment Act (HB 95)
• Prevailing wage appeal procedures (SB4)
• College research park collective bargaining (SB 41)
• Laboratory tech readiness tax, GRT tax credit extension (HB 67)
• Harm reduction act amendments (HB 52)
• Los Alamos Capital Outlay totaling $200,000

Los Alamos County Council also received an update on the County’s integrated pest management plan. Community Services Department Director Cory Styron revealed the plan incorporates feedback from the Environmental Sustainability and the Parks and Recreation Boards.

This feedback includes:

• Updating the plan as new information, best practices and conditions change.
• Requiring continual learning and teaching best practices for a sustainable and evolving process.
• Noting that glyphosate was banned Dec. 14 and not to be used by anyone on County property.
• Notifying the public within 72 hours prior to the application of a pesticide.
• Noting that for the stables, each lot’s licensee is responsible for pest management; however, they are required to follow the ban on glyphosate and the notification requirements for pesticides.
• Prohibiting fungicide applications in the stable’s common areas.
• Prohibiting treatment on broadleaf and grassy weeds.
• Prohibiting treatment for turf insect pressure unless the pest poses a health and safety concern for people and livestock.

Los Alamos County Public Information Officer Julie Williams Hill updated Council on the County’s communication plan.

She touched on community’s trust in local government, reporting that studies show that public distrust can stem from a lack of context. If citizens aren’t given the full picture, they can become skeptical, Williams Hill said.

The solution, she said, is e-government or making information easier and more available on the County’s website. Additionally, Williams Hill said documents should be posted proactively and feedback solicited. Social media is key, she added. As a result, the County needs a more comprehensive social media policy and should grow its social media presence. Additionally, the communication plan should be a working document, Williams Hill said.

“We want to review the communication plan every year … and assess what’s working and what’s not working,” she said.

In other business, council:

• Unanimously approved two projects for the UNM-LA capital improvement project allocations for FY22 and FY23. The FY22 allocation of $200,000 is for an HVAC replacement project. The FY23 allocation, pending FY23 budget approval, is for planning, designing, constructing and renovating several buildings that support workforce development programs.
• Approved 6-1 with Councilor David Reagor opposed, a budget revision totaling $250,000, for a comprehensive baseline greenhouse gas emissions study and a strategic climate action plan.

Council Chair Randall Ryti was absent from the meeting.