Union Files Grievances At 13 New Mexico State Agencies
From Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7076:
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7076 called for action from the New Mexico State Government to address pay inequities hurting its most experienced employees late last week.
The State’s failure to consider years of experience and education when determining pay causes workers salaries to fall behind the longer they work in state services. An analysis of available employment data found that nearly 1,000 State employees with five or more years of service were paid less than newly hired employees in the same position. Shortchanging Read More
Los Alamos County Environmental Services Closed July 31 For Quarterly Employee Training And Certification
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Environmental Services will be closed today, July 31, for employee development, safety training and certification compliance. This includes operations at the Eco Station and Overlook Convenience Center.
Residential service will not be impacted; however, commercial trash and recycling collection service will also be suspended today. Commercial collection and all other services will resume Aug. 1.
Environmental Services will hold one training and certification day per quarter to ensure all employees remain compliant. The quarterly closure is to minimize Read More
Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Campus Prevention And Recovery Services For Students Act Of 2024
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), David Trone (MD-06), Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Lucy McBath (GA-07) on Tuesday introduced the Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act to help higher education institutions implement programs to prevent alcohol and substance misuse on campus and support those with substance use disorders.
If passed, the bill would fund college prevention and recovery services at $75 million over five years.
The bill is part of the Read More
Governor Signs House Bill 1 To Provide $100 Million For Fire And Flood Recovery In New Mexico
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1, appropriating $100 million to support recovery efforts following the South Fork and Salt fires, as well as ongoing flooding.
“The legislature’s failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding.”
The $100 million in funding will be allocated as follows:
- $10 million for the Mescalero
Canceled: County Transportation Board’s August Meeting
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Transportation Board meeting scheduled for Aug. 1 has been canceled.
The reason the meeting is canceled is that the agenda items were shifted over to the September meeting. Read More
Democratic Party Of Los Alamos Invites Supporters To Join Them Marching In 2024 County Fair & Rodeo Parade Aug. 3
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos invites supporters to join them marching Aug. 3 in the 2024 Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade. Courtesy/DPLA
Democrat Party of Los Alamos News:
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos invites supporters to join them marching Aug. 3 in the 2024 Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade. The group will line up at 9:30 a.m. in the old Smith’s parking lot, and the parade starts at 10 a.m.
Signs to carry in the parade will be provided, wear blue and please bring your smiles and enthusiasm as the Party rolls into Election Season!
Candidates will be marching in the parade Read More
Governor Reminds New Mexicans Of Tax-Free Weekend
From the Office of the Governor:
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SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is encouraging New Mexicans to take advantage of the upcoming Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend, which could save shoppers as much as 8 percent or more on purchases.
“New Mexico families should be getting excited about the coming school year without having to worry so much about being able to afford school supplies and clothes for their children. Doing their shopping this weekend can help with that,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said.
Businesses can choose to deduct the sales of various merchandise Read More
County Releases FY25 ‘Budget In Brief’ Document Online
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County announced that it has released online a “Budget in Brief” document for the adopted fiscal year 2025 budget ahead of the complete, comprehensive FY 2025 budget book to be published next month.
This one-page document guide (front and back) gives citizens a high-level view of the budget adopted by the County Council last April 2024.
The “Budget in Brief”, complete with graphs and tables, outlines the total budgeted expenditures for FY 2025, categorized by department, and presents graphs for the total general fund budgeted revenues and expenditures. Also included Read More
Community Invited To Listening Session For Brewer Arena
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Division is seeking feedback from the community for the proposed Brewer Arena Renovation. Community members are invited to meet the team at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Please use this link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86031220930 to access the webinar.
The project is to evaluate the structure and ensure the facility meets the American with Disabilities (ADA) Title II requirements. This facility was identified in the Community Services Department’s Integrated Master Plan and the ADA Audit and Transition Plan.
Wilson & Read More
New Mexico Economic Development Department Requests Public Input On Statewide Strategic Plan
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) requests public input to inform the statewide strategic plan.
As defined in Senate Bill 112, the purpose of the plan is to diversify the state economy away from reliance on natural resource extraction by bolstering economic growth, promoting proactive planning to ensure stable long-term revenues, and supporting the creation of high-quality jobs in renewable energy and other industries.
EDD worked alongside numerous state agencies, regional and local governments, community-based organizations, Tribes, Nations, Read More
Denish: Here Come The Little Guys And Gals
By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
In the midst of a political upheaval and a new dynamic in the presidential election, the role money plays in political campaigns has a new focus.
Let’s start with mega donors: Peter Thiel, Pay Pal founder and hedge fund giant. Thiel, who was born in Germany, is a naturalized American citizen. In 2017 he was granted citizenship in New Zealand saying, “New Zealand is the future”. He sometimes refers to New Zealand as his “back up country”.
Thiel is a self-described conservative, libertarian, and registered Republican. He has an estimated Read More
Robinson: Governors With Their Dukes Up
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Former Gov. Susana Martinez once described her first legislative session, in 2011, as “hand-to-hand combat”.
A former DA, Martinez had no experience with the Legislature, and went in swinging. She used campaign rhetoric, radio ads and robo calls to browbeat them and even sent a staff member to videotape them as they debated.
She said Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez “chose to play politics with our children’s future”.
Of the film tax credit, she said, “We cannot subsidize Hollywood on the backs of our schoolchildren”.
At Read More
Op-Ed: Homage To Educators
By MARVIN BLAIR
Los Alamos
As we approach the first week of school, we must pause and recognize the educators, assistants, custodians, and administrators who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to caring for our children. While we go about our daily routines—it is work, errands, rest, or family responsibilities—they tirelessly nurture young minds. Teaching children gratitude and appreciation is a precious gift that transcends ethnicity, values, gender, and socioeconomic status. Although we often hear about combating racism, promoting justice, and ensuring equity, we sometimes Read More
Tales Of Our Times: The Fare In Hallways Beats A Diet Of ‘Breaking News’
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens for Clean Air & Water
Across decades, I have worked a fair amount on environmental issues in various venues. These venues have ranged from legislative hearings to the media’s routines to hallways.
Every venue gathers players who try to improve decision-making. The best tips from participants are eye-openers. Yet, at any time, other players work to foil good decisions. Today these thoughts are timely, though they are hardly new. In times long gone, our nation’s founders had similar ideas.
The U.S. Constitutional Convention began May Read More
Public Invited To Celebrate Pueblo Independence Day At Jemez Historic Site Sunday Aug. 11
Dancers perform at the 2023 Jemez Pueblo Independence Day celebration. Courtesy/Tira Howard Photography
JHS News:
New Mexico Historic Sites invites the public to celebrate Pueblo Independence Day at Jemez Historic Site (JHS) Sunday, Aug. 11. The celebration begins at 7 a.m. with a 13-mile run from the plaza in Jemez Pueblo up N.M. 4 to Jemez Historic Site.
Beginning at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to see traditional Pueblo-style dances and tour Gisewa Pueblo, an ancestral site of the present-day Jemez Pueblo, and San José de los Jémez Mission. The event also includes Read More
New Mexico Governor To Lead Public Safety Town Halls In Albuquerque July 29 And In Española July 30
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will host two town halls on public safety next week: one in Albuquerque Monday and another in Española Tuesday.
“More than 500 members of the Las Cruces community participated in our public safety forum on Thursday and we’re eager to keep this crucially important conversation going,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “The upcoming town halls in Albuquerque and Española will allow us to hear firsthand from residents about our state’s crime challenges and discuss ways we can work together to make our communities safer.”
The next town Read More
Reconductoring Is Solution To Los Alamos Energy Needs
By JOHN BUCHSER
Chair
Northern Group of Sierra Club
Rio Grande Chapter
Over the last 10 years, new designs of wire for high voltage power lines have resulted in an over 85% capacity increase as compared to older wire design. This wire can be used to replace older wire at a cost 50% less than building new power lines.
If both power lines feeding LANL that cross the Rio Grande are reconductored, the total power capacity available to LANL will nearly double, without the disruption of a new power line that adds to the visual clutter across the canyon and traverses across a presently undisturbed section Read More
Federal Judge Upholds New Mexico’s Seven-Day Waiting Period For Firearm Purchases
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is encouraged by U.S. District Judge James Browning’s decision on Monday that preliminarily upheld the state’s Waiting Period Act.
“The judge’s decision confirms that New Mexico’s waiting period is likely constitutional and allows it to remain in effect,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “This 7-day cooling-off period makes our community safer by providing a critical buffer against impulsive firearms purchases and ensuring comprehensive background checks are completed. This law is a commonsense measure designed to reduce Read More
LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum: Welcome Back Breakfast
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos Public School Board (LAPS) may attend the LAPS Welcome Back Breakfast at 8 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at Sullivan Field.
A Quorum may be present; however no action will be taken. Read More
Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome $1 Million From Infrastructure Law To Clean Up Polluted Sites In Northern New Mexico, Invest In Workforce Development
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) welcomed $1 million in grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) and the City of Ratón.
This funding was made possible through the Infrastructure Law, which was passed by Democrats in the New Mexico Congressional Delegation.
Santa Fe Community College is receiving $500,000 to provide the training, skills, and certifications necessary to enter a wide range of job opportunities Read More
