Council Appoints Perry Klare To Finish Probate Judge Term
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council unanimously selected Perry Klare at the Jan. 23 work session to complete Probate Judge Michael Redondo’s term. Judge Redondo announced in November his intent to resign his position effective Feb. 2.
Raised in Los Alamos, Klare is a practicing attorney who returned to the community in 2020 to care for his father after his mother passed. He brings a wealth of legal experience and knowledge of the community to the position.
Klare stated that nine years working at the Law Offices of the Public Defender in Albuquerque taught him the importance of being compassionate Read More
Changes To Anti-Corruption Law Clear First Committee
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Public employees and elected officials could find themselves facing fines of up to $10,000 if they violate the state’s Governmental Conduct Act under a new bill that cleared its first committee.
House Bill 8 would not only raise the ceiling for fines from $250 to up to $10,000 but provide more clarity regarding prohibited activities under the act, including engaging in political activities while on duty, while wearing a uniform or using a state vehicle — except for state law enforcement officers who may be serving on a security detail. The House Government, Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 22
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Clearly favored: A measure that aims to shed light on costs and profits for manufacturers and sellers of prescription drugs drew support from a wide range of groups in a committee meeting Tuesday morning, from New Mexico Voices for Children to the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce to the New Mexico Pharmacists Association.
House Bill 33, which is formally titled the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee Wednesday on a 7-0 vote.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Pamelya Herndon, D-Albuquerque, Read More
Heinrich Hosts Roundtable On Newly Introduced Gun Bill
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and March Fourth hosted a roundtable discussion in the U.S. Capitol with New Mexico law enforcement, firearm owners, influential voices, and advocates for responsible gun ownership, to discuss his newly introduced gun legislation, the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act (GOSAFE) Act.
“We represent a whole host of political views and life experiences at this table. And one of the things that Washington, D.C. does not do well is nuance. You’re either red or you’re Read More
WIPP Begins Mining New Waste Disposal Panel
A mammoth-sized continuous miner machine cuts into salt rock some 2,150 feet underground, the beginning phase of what will become Panel 11 – one of WIPP’s next waste disposal panels. Courtesy/DOE
DOE News:
CARLSBAD — Just before the new year, there was quite the ribbon-cutting at EM’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
At the event, the spinning teeth of a multi-ton mechanical mining machine clawed through the ceremonial ribbon and began cutting a new disposal panel out of a 250-million-year-old layer of salt beneath the New Mexico desert.
It’s the first time in a decade that crews have started Read More
New Mexico State Police Celebrates ‘Remarkable Public Safety Achievements And Community Involvement’ In 2023
Courtesy/NMSP
NMSP News:
New Mexico State Police (NMSP) released 2023 data Monday highlighting “remarkable public safety achievements and community involvement” in 2023.
The data illustrates notable improvements in several key areas, including more DWI traffic stops and arrests, and fewer incidents involving use of force and pursuits. This data clearly demonstrates NMSP’s unwavering commitment to public safety and transparency.
“I commend the New Mexico State Police for their work in protecting and serving the people of our great state,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “Every day, their Read More
First Debate On Public Safety Bills Could Set Tone For Session On Gun Control
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Two pieces of public safety legislation created heat and testy exchanges between legislators during a lengthy committee hearing Tuesday — and could be a sign of things to come on the emotional subject of guns.
House Bill 27 proposes changes to the state’s Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order, including adding health care professionals to the list of people who can ask law enforcement officers to file a petition for the order.
Meanwhile, House Bill 114 would impose potential civil penalties on gun manufacturers for a number of actions, including false Read More
Rising Construction Costs In New Mexico Raise Concerns About Capital Outlay System
Employee Steve Lockwood works in the yard at Alpine Builders Supply in Santa Fe Jan 23, 2024. According to manager Karen George, most of Alpine’s lumber prices stabilized after the pandemic except for plywood, which is still scarce and costly. Photo by Jim Weber/The Santa Fe New Mexican
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
As state lawmakers face potentially billions of dollars in new capital outlay requests from local governments — while $5 billion they allocated in previous years remains unspent — construction costs continue to skyrocket.
Price tags for infrastructure projects in New Read More
MADD New Mexico Joins Forces With Prevention Advocates From Across State For DWI Prevention Day At Roundhouse
MADD News:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) New Mexico and Prevention Advocates statewide will host a DWI Prevention Day at the state capital Friday, Jan. 26, as a reminder to the public about the ongoing crisis of impaired driving in New Mexico.
Nearly 50 representatives working in the fields of DWI prevention, alcohol treatment, law enforcement, and families representing crash victim/survivors will all be present to speak to lawmakers and the general public about this pervasive issue 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A noontime press conference is scheduled.
“We know that there are grim consequences Read More
Tempers Flare At Capitol Between Health Secretary, GOP Lawmaker Over Op-Ed
New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen speaks during a news conference in March 2023 at the state Capitol. Courtesy/SFNM
Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, castigates Health Secretary Patrick Allen at the Capitol on Tuesday over an op-ed in which he accused her of “grandstanding” and making ‘wild accusations’ about New Mexico’s child welfare agency. Brantley had falsely asserted more New Mexico children die in state custody than die by gunfire. State data shows 40 children died by gunfire in 2022, compared to two deaths of children in state custody that year. Photo Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining Session – 23
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Senate Conservation Committee: Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, emerged from the Senate Conservation Committee with a big smile Tuesday.
He had good reason.
Wirth received unanimous support on two separate pieces of legislation he is championing alongside a Republican.
Both bipartisan bills focus on protecting the state’s natural resources.
Senate Bill 1, which Rep. Jack Chatfield, R-Mosquero, is cosponsoring, would transfer an additional $100 million to the Water Trust Fund. The Legislature appropriated the same amount Read More
Former Spy, Now A First Lady, Attracts Unwanted Notice
Silver City residents Carolyn and Josh White recently began putting up signs calling for the ouster of Joseph Shepard, president of Western New Mexico University. The Whites are critical of public expenditures by Shepard and his wife, Western First Lady Valerie Plame. The couples also were adversaries in litigation for ownership of the house where this sign stands. The Whites prevailed. Photo by Milan Simonich/The New Mexican
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
SILVER CITY — Joseph Shepard, president of Western New Mexico University, says he has a crack staff that checks him if he inadvertently Read More
VFW Post 8874 To Host Veterans Outreach Event Jan. 26
VFW News:
At 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, there will be an informational event at the Los Alamos VFW (1793 Deacon Street) to discuss the veteran property tax discount in Los Alamos County.
The County Tax Assessors Office will have a representative present to help veterans qualify and sign up for the benefit. Please bring your DD-214 and any other documentation as required by the County.
Veterans who don’t have a Disabled Veterans or Veterans certificate from the state will be able to get more information on how to get their certificates. Click here for a link to the County form.
Also, information Read More
Clean Car Tax Credit Passes First New Mexico Committee
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal for a new tax credit to help New Mexicans purchase zero-emission cars and light trucks cleared its first committee Monday.
The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted 6-3 to recommend passage of House Bill 140.
The bill would create new temporary income tax credits for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and other zero-emission vehicles. The bill also proposes tax credits for home and commercial electric vehicle chargers.
The bill is sponsored by Reps. Read More
New Mexico State Agencies Request 1,600 More Positions Despite High Vacancies
By DANIEL J. CHACON
Santa Fe New Mexican
State agencies continue to struggle to fill vacancies. But that isn’t stopping them from asking for more positions.
“On top of the existing 19.4% vacancy rate statewide, we’re seeing agencies asking for another about 1,600 positions,” Micaela Fischer, deputy director of the Legislative Finance Committee, told lawmakers Tuesday.
“They’re asking for an additional $157.4 million to help fund those positions and also sometimes there’s a little extra on top to give increases to existing positions,” she said during a presentation on employee compensation Read More
County Reminder: Deadline To Apply For Historic Preservation Advisory Board Is Jan. 31
COUNTY News:
Officials with Los Alamos County remind residents that Jan. 31 is the application deadline to fill one of two open positions on the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB). This is an exceptional opportunity for Los Alamos County residents who have demonstratable interest, competence, or knowledge in the historical, architectural, and cultural traditions specific to Los Alamos County.
Professional Qualification Standards:
To be compliant with Section 8-52 of the County Code, the preferred candidates should meet one or more of the professional qualifications in Read More
Rickman: Censorship Does Nothing To Lift The Veil Of Ignorance
The rules for the tunnel art space are clearly marked. Courtesy/James Rickman
By JAMES RICKMAN
Los Alamos
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, in my opinion, remains the most enlightened and beautiful fundamental freedom guaranteed to citizens of this nation. Therefore, I was saddened to read Rabbi Jack Shlachter’s appeal for “legitimizing” the art in the underpass tunnel near the Los Alamos Cooperative Market.
When my wife and I first saw that the Los Alamos County Community Services Department had designated the tunnel as a community “art space,” I was overjoyed. Art Read More
Robinson: Putting A Wedge In Revolving Door Of Justice
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Devin Munford should have stayed in jail. He was a repeat offender, arrested for shooting from a vehicle with a stolen gun. The prosecutor tried to keep him locked up, but the judge put Munford on pretrial release, and he left wearing a GPS ankle monitor.
Munford violated the conditions of his release over and over. That included firing a shotgun through an apartment door, killing a man, firing a shot over the head of a woman who asked him to move his car, and robbing a 7-Eleven at gunpoint. Last week he was sentenced to life plus 25 years Read More
Setting Aside Political Ideologies Stakeholders Convene Dialogue On Gun Violence And Impact On Children
House Speaker Javier Martínez
CHI SJC News:
ALBUQUERQUE — CHI St. Joseph’s Children convened a series of dialogue sessions with participating hosts Archbishop John C. Wester and Speaker of the House of Representatives Javier Martínez and numerous stakeholders included below.
The dialogue focused on addressing the impact of gun violence, crime and drug abuse on children and families in Albuquerque and surrounding areas.
The meetings brought together leaders of faith communities, law enforcement, city government agencies, not-for-profit community service and advocacy and county-based Read More
Indigenous, Environmental Groups Decry New Mexico Environment Department Plan To Tap Into Fracking Water
New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney speaks to the Senate Finance Committee in support of the governor’s water supply proposal Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Environment Department Secretary James Kenney speaks to Sen. Crystal Brantley, (R-Elephant Butte), at the Senate Finance Committee in support of the governor’s water supply proposal Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The New Mexico Environment Department is pushing ahead with a proposal to tap brackish water Read More
