County P&Z Commission To Meet Wednesday Feb. 14
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda packet for the meeting is available at https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and hard copies are available in the Community Development Department lobby. Read More
House Passes Bill To Stabilize Healthcare Affordability Fund
House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — The House of Representatives approved important legislation Thursday to ensure affordable health insurance plans remain available for tens of thousands of New Mexicans by a bipartisan vote of 51-14.
House Bill 7 would allow for ongoing, stable distributions to the Healthcare Affordability Fund, so the important programs it funds can continue.
The Affordability Fund, which was created in 2021, has helped tens of thousands of New Mexicans afford quality health insurance coverage on the Exchange and created an avenue for thousands Read More
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne Reflects On 28 Years Of Service As His Retirement Nears
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne speaking Tuesday at the Kiwanis Club meeting at TOTH. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
One thing is certain about working at Los Alamos County – it is never dull, Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne said during the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos meeting Tuesday at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church.
Whether it was serving as the County’s authorizing agent during the Cerro Grande Fire or responding to the COVID pandemic as County Manager, Lynne said new and unexpected were big themes Read More
NM House Passes Prescription Drug Transparency Act
Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque)
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass House Bill 33, the Prescription Drug Transparency Act, which would increase price transparency within the prescription drug supply chain.
HB 33 would require manufacturers, health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and pharmacy services administrative organizations to report prescription drug prices and trends to the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) annually.
OSI would then compile an annual report on its findings, present it Read More
With Less Than A Week Left In 30-Day Legislative Session, Much Of Governor’s Gun And Crime Package Seems Stalled
Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos
By ROBERT NOTT
rnott@sfnewmexican.com
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham started the year with high hopes of making a dent in the crime and gun violence that disproportionately seem to plague New Mexico.
Her 21-point package included both stricter gun laws and tough-on-crime initiatives. Taken together, the governor said during a news conference in January, the bills comprised the “largest, most comprehensive package” of such bills in the history of the Legislature.
Maybe so, but with this year’s 30-day session set to end at noon on Thursday, most of them Read More
Governor’s Budget Proposal Keeps New Mexico Higher Education Ahead Of Pack For College Access, Affordability
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is joining Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in advocating for New Mexico students and the future of the state through continued funding for tuition-free college, loan repayment programs and workforce preparation.
“The Governor’s budget recommendation for higher education keeps our state at the head of the pack when it comes to college access and affordability and expands upon programs that have a strong track record of success,” NMHED Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez said. “With the remarkable strides New Mexico has Read More
Tribal Education Trust Fund Passes New Mexico House
Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — House Bill 134, which would create a Tribal Education Trust Fund and recognize the right of New Mexico’s tribes, nations, and pueblos to have greater authority over their children’s education, unanimously passed the House of Representatives Thursday.
The Tribal Education Trust Fund would make an annual 5% distribution to the Public Education Department to then be disseminated to each of New Mexico’s 23 tribes, nations, and pueblos. Distributions would be based on the size and needs of each community, as determined by a specialized Read More
Skolnik: Reducing The Harms Of Alcohol In New Mexico – Critical Next Steps
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock
The House Taxation and Revenue Committee will decide in the next few days between two bills that address alcohol. One is evidence-based and takes account of best practice and would likely be very helpful in reducing alcohol consumption and raising additional revenues to address the harms of alcohol. The other bill is not based on best practice and would either lower the costs of alcohol for some groups, leading to an increase in consumption, or provide the alcohol industry with a $50 million windfall. I have just sent the letter below to the Committee. It takes account Read More
Council Commends County Finance Department
The Los Alamos County Finance Department staff show off their numerous awards during the regular County Council meeting Tuesday along with the County managers and councilors. From left, County Councilor Melanee Hand, County Manager Steven Lynne, Budget Manager Erika Thomas, Councilor Keith Lepsch, Management Analyst Melanie Ramirez, Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull, Accounting Operations Manager Beatrice Odezulu, Administrative Services Department Director Helen Perraglio, Councilor Randall Ryti, Council Chair Denise Derkacs, Councilor David Reagor, Payroll Manager Sonya Read More
New Mexico Senate Rejects Bill Prohibiting Local Governments From Detaining Asylum Seekers
By DANIEL J. CHACON
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A push to end the detention of asylum seekers in New Mexico failed Tuesday when six Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in voting against the measure and three other Democrats disappeared before the vote.
After less than an hour of debate, the Senate rejected Senate Bill 145 on an 18-21 vote.
A similar measure failed to pass the Senate in a vote of 18-20 during last year’s legislative session.
Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat who carried the bill this year, looked disappointed as she prepared to leave the Capitol on Tuesday Read More
Luján, Kelly Support FCC Ruling To Enforce Regulations To Prevent Robocalls
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in support of the proposed Declaratory Ruling acknowledging telemarketing calls (robocalls) violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
The TCPA places restrictions on unsolicited advertisements, autodialers, and prerecorded or artificial voice messages.
In their letter, the Senators encourage the Commission to move ahead with the Declaratory Ruling to ensure Read More
Heinrich Honored By Alliance Of National Heritage Areas
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich receives a National Heritage Area Champion award from the Alliance for National Heritage Areas, Feb. 7, 2024. Pictured from left, NRGNHA Executive Director Eric Vasquez, his wife New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, Heinrich and NRGNHA President Anna C. Hansen. Courtesy/Heinrich Office
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, was honored at a reception hosted Wednesday by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas for his leadership Read More
High School Graduation Bill Heads To Governor’s Desk
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would change New Mexico high school graduation requirements for the first time in about 15 years is on its way to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham — the first nonprocedural piece of legislation in this year’s 30-day session to reach her desk.
A spokeswoman for Lujan Grisham said her office is “supportive” of House Bill 171, which means it’s likely to be signed into law and become effective for high school freshman who start in 2025.
Spokeswoman Maddy Hayden wrote in an email the Governor’s Office worked on the Read More
Nella Domenici Files For Primary Ballot For U.S. Senate From New Mexico With More Than 8,000 Petition Signatures
Nella Domenici delivers ballot signatures and signs paperwork Tuesday at the New Mexico Secretary of State office. Courtesy/Nella for Senate
From the Nella for Senate Campaign:
SANTE FE — Tuesday, Nella Domenici filed for the New Mexico Republican U.S. Senate primary ballot, submitting more than 8,000 nominating petitions from supporters in all 33 counties. Domenici’s early momentum is evidence of her widespread grassroots support, the strength of her candidacy, and the enthusiasm from people from all walks of life across the state. Tuesday, Domenici was the first U.S. Senate candidate Read More
$50M Fund To Draw Federal Infrastructure Dollars Cruises Through Legislature
By SCOTT WYLAND
The Santa Fe New Mexican
While some bills have proved highly contentious this legislative session, one is sailing through with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Legislation that would establish a $50 million state fund to help draw federal money for infrastructure, water and clean energy projects received unanimous yes votes in two committees and on the House floor.
House Bill 177 is now headed to the Senate, where advocates hope to restore it to its original $100 million before it reaches the finish line.
The fund would help the state tap federal dollars through the Inflation Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 7
Roundhouse RoundupResounding ‘yes’ for affirmative consent: The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved House Bill 151, which would require colleges and universities to adopt trauma-informed policies for investigations of sexual assault and domestic violence allegations.
Sponsored by Rep. Liz Thomson, D-Albuquerque, and other Democrats, the bill would impose an “affirmative consent standard” in campus’ sexual assault and violence policies, noting it is the responsibility of all parties involved in sexual activities to acquire the Read More
House Approves Robust Bipartisan Tax Package
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 252, the omnibus tax package, with a bipartisan vote of 48-21. The tax package now heads to the Senate.
House Bill 252 would make New Mexico’s tax code more equitable, expand incentives for rural healthcare providers, support local businesses and childcare providers, advance the state’s climate goals, and provide relief to families impacted by wildfires.
“Our tax package is designed to create greater benefits and opportunities for all New Mexicans, especially our working families and small businesses,” said Read More
Democratic Party Of Los Alamos To Hold Meeting Feb. 12
By ANDREA DETERMAN
County Chair
DPLA
Our Sweet on Dems Fundraiser was well-attended and a great success!
It was very exciting that at the event several candidates announced their Los Alamos County campaigns:
County Council
- Denise Derkacs, Chair of the Los Alamos County Council
- Ryn Hermann, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director
- Beverly Neal-Clinton, Notary Public, former U.S. Marine, and member of the Planning and Zoning Commission
County Clerk
- Michael Redondo, former Los Alamos Probate Judge
We would like to “spread the word” of other candidates, so any other Dems who are planning to run Read More
RPLA: Thank You For Supporting Our Small Businesses!
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
Last night, our County Council voted against a minimum wage increase, on a narrow 4-3 vote. I wanted to express a heartfelt thanks to and commend Councilors Cull, Hand, Lepsch and Reagor for supporting our small business community! I appreciate all those who attended the community meetings, wrote our Councilors, and made public comments on this important issue.
Recently, Daniel’s Cafe announced its closure, and we just learned that Ruby Ks is seeking a buyer to pass the baton to. Our Council must continue to vote for business-friendly Read More
Addressing Potential Improvements For Better Access For People With Disabilities At State Capitol
Advocate Katie Ellis speaks with Raúl Burciaga, director of the Legislative Council Service, and Lt. Gov. Howie Morales following a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, addressing improvements that could be made to the Capitol to provide better access for people with disabilities. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican Read More
