Dannemann: A New Mexico Long-Range Wish List
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
“New Mexico 2050” was the very ambitious title of an only slightly ambitious project. In 2015, a small conference was held and a book was published, featuring in-depth analysis of major issues by respected New Mexico policy experts, edited by former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris.
The book contained a great deal of information but lacked the long-term vision I had hoped to see. For all my years here, New Mexico policy makers have focused on fixing our myriad immediate problems rather than aiming with determination at long-term goals. Read More
Robinson: State Transportation Czar Wants Stable Revenues
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
In a big state with a small population, paying for roads has always been tough, even during boom years. We simply have needs that outstrip whatever money is available.
Last year, an interim legislative subcommittee took an idea from the past and reshaped it for transportation. New Mexico has a number of trust funds established during times of high revenues. Instead of just spending all the money, lawmakers set it aside to be invested for future use.
In this case, the interim Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee tried Read More
NMDWS EBLAST: November 2023 Labor Market Review
NMDWS News:
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) released the November 2023 Labor Market Review, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
To read the Labor Market Review, click on this link.
For more information, visit the NMDWS website at www.dws.state.nm.us. Read More
Luján Announces Nominations For U.S. Service Academies including Kaelin Hanson And Lucy Kelley Of Los Alamos
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) announced student nominations from New Mexico to enter the United States Service Academies including Kaelin Hanson and Lucy Kelley of Los Alamos.
“New Mexico is proud to have an enduring legacy of service in all branches of our military. I’m honored to further that tradition by nominating some of our state’s best and brightest to our United States Service Academies,” Sen. Luján said. “Each student nominated has demonstrated a commitment of service to our state and country, and I know they will continue Read More
County Council To Hold Regular Session Tuesday Jan. 9
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council to hold a regular session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 in Counci Chambers at 1000 Central Ave.
The complete agenda packet has been published and is available online here.
The meeting is open to the public. Read More
LeDoux: Hispanic Men Are Falling Behind In College, We Need To Set The Example
Sam LeDoux
By SAM LEDOUX, MPS
Española City Council candidate
There is a silent crisis going on with our young Hispanic men that could have major consequences down the line. According to many studies, men in general are less likely to pursue higher education, this is best highlighted in the new Brookings Institute book Of Boys and Men.
However, a key under-reported fact of this phenomenon is that Hispanic men in particular are the least likely demographic to go to college and the most likely to drop out. This comes as Hispanic women continue to thrive, we need to ask ourselves why our young men are Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Addresses Jan. 6 Anniversary
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement to recognize the third anniversary of the insurrection at the United States Capitol Jan. 6, 2021.
“Three years ago today, I witnessed rioters breaking through police lines to violently force their way into the U.S. Capitol. These same rioters would go on to attack and injure a number of U.S Capitol Police officers. Instigated and directed by former President Trump, more than two thousand rioters entered the Capitol.
“These insurrectionists had one goal: to accomplish through force what Read More
DOE/NNSA: Floodplain Assessment Available For Proposed Additional Lane At Vehicle Inspection Port Near East Jemez Road – NM 4 Intersection
DOE/NNSA News:
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has prepared a floodplain assessment for proposed construction of an additional vehicle inspection lane at the guard post near the East Jemez Road and N.M. 4 intersection.
The project is intended to provide expedited inspection times for vehicles transporting time sensitive loads, such as concrete and asphalt to Los Alamos National Laboratory. Project activities within the 100-year floodplain would include construction of an expedited vehicle inspection lane, relocation of a 4-strand wire fence, possible relocation Read More
EM-LA Response To Disapproval Of Chromium Interim Measures, Work Plan Added To LANL Public Reading Room
LANL News:
Per regulatory requirements, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) announces new documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room:
- EM-LA Response to Notice of Disapproval Chromium Interim Measures and Characterization Work Plan (Link)
- Submittal of the Response to the Review, 2023 Annual
Public Meeting, Supplemental Comment Period On Jan. 11 For Proposed LANL Transmission Line Upgrade Project
DOE/NNSA News:
The Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and cooperating agencies will hold a public meeting 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, regarding the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project Draft Environmental Assessment (DOE/EA-2199) (EA), and will hold a second public comment period for the document.
The public meeting will take place at Santa Fe Community College, Room 216, West Wing, 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe, NM, 87508. The meeting will start with a poster information session at 4 p.m., followed Read More
Transportation Board Meeting Canceled Due To Weather
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Transportation Board Meeting scheduled for today, Jan. 4, has been canceled due to inclement weather and the 2 p.m. closure today of County non-essential government facilities.
The next regularly scheduled Transportation Board Meeting will be held in February.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Releases FY25 Proposed Executive Budget Totaling $10.5B In Recurring Spending
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the FY25 executive budget recommendation. The budget totals $10.5 billion in recurring spending, a 9.9% increase from the last fiscal year. The executive recommendation will maintain reserves at 34.2%. The budget directs meaningful investments in key areas including housing, education, child wellbeing, public safety, health care, economic development, and water and natural resources.
“Because of our historic – but prudent – investments made over the last few years in New Mexico in everything from Read More
READOUT: Heinrich Meets With War Refugees, Emphasizes Need For Additional Aid To Ukraine
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
FARMINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) met with Ukrainian families living in Farmington who fled their country following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“In New Mexico, we know that how we treat refugees and asylum seekers shows the world our true American values. Today’s visit conveyed just how seriously New Mexicans take that commitment,” Heinrich said. “I’m so grateful to those here in Farmington for their unwavering support for these families who have fled unthinkable violence in their home country of Ukraine. The bravery Read More
LWVLA, AAUW Legislative Preview On Zoom Tonight Due To Winter Storm Weather
LWVLA/AAUW News:Attention Democrats! Register Now For Family Event Jan. 8
Members of the Democratic Party of Los Alamos gathered for a photo. Courtesy/DPLA
DPLA News:
On Jan. 8, 2024, the Democratic Party of Los Alamos (DPLA) is having a family get together 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Unitarian Church Hall at 1738 N. Sage Loop St., with a green chile stew (vegetarian and meat) dinner.
DPLA is inviting all registered Democrats who have been regularly participating in events, those who rarely have and especially those new to the Democratic Party in Los Alamos.
This event is free … but you must RSVP by Jan. 6 to barbfronz2023@gmail.com so Chef Determan can make the right amount Read More
Op-Ed: Gov’s Dangerous Executive Order Could Silence Protected Speech In New Mexico
By KRISTIN GEER LOVE
Senior Civil Liberties Attorney
ACLU of New Mexico
As the war between Israel and Hamas intensifies, students in New Mexico, as across the country, have shown support for Palestinians’ rights.
They have walked out of classrooms, published an open letter, marched, and held signs in protest, using their constitutionally protected rights to call for an immediate ceasefire. They have also called on New Mexico’s state government to stop subsidizing worker training programs for one of the country’s leading weapons manufacturers whose weapons have fueled Israel’s attacks Read More
Catch Of The Week: Emailed Bomb Threats Close Capitals
By BECKY RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
Nine state capitol buildings across the US were placed under evacuation orders Wednesday due to emailed bomb threats, according to officials.
Government buildings in Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan Mississippi and Montana were sent bomb threats via email to their offices of secretaries of states and legislative officials.
The FBI has been working with state, local and federal officials to gather and share information.
The agency said they are aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state capitol Read More
Gessing: First … Do No Harm
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
With yet another massive budget surplus awaiting the New Mexico Legislature as they convene in Santa Fe for the 2024 30-day legislative session, this column should rightly be replete with ideas for how the Gov. and Legislature can use that surplus to diversify the State’s economy and bring New Mexico out of poverty. Alas, if we learned nothing from last year’s 2023 session, it is that even at a time of surplus, the Legislature can still harm our economy.
As the Legislature convened last year with a $3.6 billion surplus, the tax “omnibus” bill included Read More
RPLA Announces 2024 Pre-primary Convention On Jan. 18
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Dear Friends:
As we celebrate the beginning of 2024, I wish you abundance, happiness, and joy in the new year! I hope for many good things and blessings to come. There will be an upcoming vacancy for a Republican on the Los Alamos Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as 2 vacancies on the Los Alamos Parks and Recreation Board.
We truly appreciate those who have contributed many volunteer hours to be conservative voices in our local government. Thanks to Bryan Fearey and Robert Gibson who served on the committee for our next County Manager and provided Read More
New Mexico In Top 10 States For Inbound Moves In 2023
Data courtesy of United Van Lines Movers Study © 2024. Demographic data only available for 2014 through present. Courtesy/United Van Lines
STATE News:
- Newcomers attracted by jobs, retirement, lifestyle, low cost of living.
For the second year in a row, New Mexico is one of the top ten states for inbound moves, with United Van Lines reporting more families are coming into the state for jobs, retirement, a better lifestyle, and a lower cost of living.
The 2023 United Van Lines National Movers Study shows the company reported 59.6% inbound moves to New Mexico, ranking New Mexico the ninth best Read More
