Robinson: Tech Honchos May Break Immigration Logjam To Get Workers
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
She’s studying computer engineering at UNM on a student visa. Her husband, who has graduated, is working in IT until his student visa runs out, and then he’ll return to school and try to juggle work and studies to stay in the United States. Going home is not an option because there is nothing for them in their small, impoverished country.
“All my friends are here or in Canada or Australia,” he says.
Both would be hired in a heartbeat if our immigration system met today’s needs. This young couple and thousands like them are at the center of Read More
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter Has Died
Former President Jimmy Carter
From the Carter Center:
ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, died peacefully today, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Ga., surrounded by his family. He was 100, the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn and one grandchild.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Read More
Commissioner Garcia Richard Bans Mineral Leasing And Large Transmission Lines On Caja Del Rio State Lands
State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
New Mexico Land Office News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has issued Executive Order 2024-0o1 in protection of the Caja del Rio Plateau by banning mining, the construction of large transmission lines (115 kv or above) and major thoroughfares on state lands.
The order applies to 3,487 acres of surface and 5,523 acres of mineral rights on state trust lands within the Caja del Rio landscape.
While the draft decision on the 14-mile transmission line issued by the U.S. Forest Service does not include Read More
New Mexico Celebrates Passage Of EXPLORE Act: Landmark For Outdoor Recreation & Economic Growth
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Director Karina Armijo
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division applauds the historic passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act by the U.S. Senate.
This legislation ushers in a new era for the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, further bolstering New Mexico’s thriving outdoor industry and communities.
The EXPLORE Act, which now awaits President Biden’s signature, represents a watershed moment for outdoor recreation in New Mexico and nationwide. By modernizing policies, Read More
Sen. Luján Shares His Results For New Mexicans In 2024
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) on Dec. 23 highlighted legislative victories, constituent services successes, and results he delivered for New Mexicans in 2024.
This year, Sen. Luján also completed his full tour of all 33 counties in New Mexico.
“Every day, it is an honor to represent New Mexico in the United States Senate,” Luján said. “From securing billions for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon recovery and pushing FEMA to expedite relief, to passing RECA through the Senate for the second time, we made a lot of progress for New Mexico. Read More
Los Alamos Leaders Share Holiday Wishes For Community
A bird’s eye view of the many colorful lights Friday night decorating the trees surrounding Ashley Pond and along Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
And just like that, 2024 and the holiday season are reaching their conclusions. But before the holiday decorations are packed away and another page gets torn from the calendar, local leaders are seizing the opportunity to offer their well-wishes and season greetings to the community.
Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason: Read More
Luján Announces Nominations For U.S. Service Academies
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
SANTA FE – U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) has announced student nominations from New Mexico to enter the United States Service Academies.
“New Mexico has a long and proud legacy of service in the military. I’m honored to nominate some of New Mexico’s most talented individuals to our U.S. Service Academies,” Sen. Luján said. “I know that each of these students will make New Mexico proud in their endeavors.”
United States Air Force Academy
- Michael Bane of Los Alamos
- Noah Carmody of Alamogordo
- Jacqueline Charlifue of Santa Fe
- Cooper Diercks of Albuquerque
Congress Extends Deadline To March 14 To Start A Claim On Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire
FEMA News:
SANTA FE — Those impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent cascading events now have until March 14, 2025, to start a claim under a deadline extension included as part of a bipartisan spending bill that will provide an additional $1.5 billion to the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act
The measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), adds almost three months to the previous Dec. 20, 2024, deadline for starting a claim. Congressional leaders included a filing deadline when they established the $3.95 billion compensation fund two years ago for those Read More
OpEd: A Message From County Manager Anne Laurent
By ANNE LAURENT
Los Alamos County Manager
I would like to wish the community a safe and happy holiday season and take a moment to publicly thank the County staff for their hard work and dedication. I often say that I do not want to be the manager of just any city or county, but this county.
It is true the community members of Los Alamos County have high expectations. However, if you put the expectations in context with the main topics of debate – regulation and economic development – it is clear that these issues represent only a very small fraction of all the County operations.
For the most part, Read More
Community Feedback Period For East Downtown Los Alamos MRA Initiative Extended To Tuesday Jan. 7, 2025
COUNTY News:
To accommodate the holiday season, New Mexico MainStreet, Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation and Los Alamos County have extended the deadline by a week for the community to provide feedback on the preliminary recommendations for the East Downtown Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) initiative.
The new deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
Residents can visit the East Downtown Los Alamos MRA Feedback webpage on the Los Alamos County website to:
- Link to the feedback form;
- View the recorded Community Forum presented Dec. 16 by Amy Bell and Maren
Councilor Ryti Provides Briefing On Final Meeting Of 2024
Los Alamos County Councilor Randall Ryti provides a briefing for the final council meeting of 2024. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
New Mexico Environment Department Improves Open Records Request Process With Online Option
NMED General Counsel Zachary Ogaz
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is improving transparency by making public records easily accessible to the public.
Requestors of public information will now have the option of submitting open records requests through an online form. This new, convenient option will join traditional methods for submitting requests, which remain available.
“This new system will allow the New Mexico Environment Department to improve the records requesting experience effectively overnight,” NMED General Counsel Zachary Ogaz said. Read More
Scenes From Los Alamos County Swearing-in Ceremony
Having completed her two, four-year terms, Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas swears in newly elected County Clerk Michael Redondo Wednesday in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Redondo will officially take office Jan.1, 2025. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
After swearing him in to office, County Clerk Naomi Maestas congratulates incoming County Clerk Michael Redondo. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas delivers the oath of office to County Councilor David Reagor Wednesday in Council Chambers. Reagor will serve a Read More
Los Alamos County Dept. Of Public Utilities To Participate In Peer-Learning Cohort To Prepare For Microgrids
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will participate in a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) peer-learning cohort to support grid modernization and resiliency within the Los Alamos County electric production and distribution systems.
Over 6 months, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and World Resources Institute (WRI) will convene 37 entities across 23 states and Tribal entities in three separate peer-learning cohorts to learn from each other and energy experts about best practices for addressing common Read More
New Mexico Unemployment Rate 4.4% In November 2024
NMDWS News:
New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in November, up from 4.3 percent in October and up from 4.0 percent in the previous year.
The national unemployment rate in November was 4.2 percent, up from 4.1 percent in October and up from 3.7 percent in November 2023.
Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 12,400 jobs, or 1.4 percent, between November 2023 and November 2024. The majority of gains came from the private sector. The private sector was up 9,400 jobs, or 1.4 percent, while the public sector was up 3,000 jobs, or 1.6 percent. Within the private Read More
Op-Ed: Why We Need Equitable Disclosure Bill In A Nutshell
By GEORGE CHANDLER
Assessor
Los Alamos County
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- The bill aims to bring valuations of non-residential properties up to statutory and equitable standards while minimizing the impact of these increases on property owners.
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- Having valuations accurate ensures equity in property taxation. The tax rate in each county, municipality, school district, and other taxing governmental unit is determined by dividing the budget requirement by the sum of valuations in the district. The amount of taxes paid by each taxpayer is then the tax rate multiplied by their valuation. You can do the math: If some taxpayers
Luján Joins Senate In Passing Social Security Fairness Act
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
joined the U.S. Senate Friday night in voting to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that he co-sponsored.
“I was proud to help pass the Social Security Fairness Act for the good of thousands of New Mexicans. This important bipartisan legislation will help ensure that New Mexicans are getting the benefits they have earned and deserve,” Sen. Luján said. “I’m honored to stand with the millions of dedicated public servants—police officers, teachers, firefighters, and other local and state employees—who tirelessly Read More
State Awards $2.2 Million In Job Training Funds To Support Up To 122 New Mexico Employees
Broken Arrow Glass Recycling Company is creating a closed-loop system for glass waste in New Mexico. Among the many uses for recycled glass is its application in commercial and residential landscaping. Courtesy/BAGRC
EDD News:
SANTA FE — For the final month of 2024, the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) board approved $2.2 million in reimbursement funds to support up to 122 trainees and interns, announced New Mexico Economic Development (EDD) Cabinet Secretary-Designate Rob Black.
Each month the JTIP board convenes to review applications from businesses looking to expand operations Read More
Public Education Dept. Releases Strategic Plan For Success
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Thursday, the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) released its Strategic Plan for Success, representing the agency’s collective commitment to providing a high-quality, equitable education to every student in New Mexico.
“The Strategic Plan for Success will serve as a clear roadmap to improved outcomes for New Mexico’s students,” Public Education Secretary-Designate Mariana D. Padilla said. “Internally, the plan will be used to ensure all of our decision-making is aligned with the goals and vision we’ve set out for the state’s public education Read More
County Council Honors Outgoing Elected Officials
Los Alamos County Council and County staff honor outgoing Councilor Keith Lepsch and Council Chair Denise Derkacs during Tuesday night’s final meeting of 2024. From left, Councilor Randall Ryti, Melanee Hand, David Reagor, Lepsch, Derkacs, County Attorney Alvin Leaphart, County Manager Anne Laurent, Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull and Councilor Suzie Havemann. Courtesy/LAC
Outgoing Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas, at the podium, receives a standing ovation for her eight years as County Clerk during Tuesday’s council meeting. In total, Maestas has worked nearly 20 years for Los Read More
