U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Welcomes $25 Million To Plug Orphaned Oil & Gas Wells In New Mexico
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has welcomed $25 million for New Mexico to implement the REGROW Act, legislation he championed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up and remediate abandoned gas and oil wells.
This investment is part of the Biden administration’s $660 million Phase 1 funding to clean up legacy pollution around the country. These resources to clean up hazardous sites will create good-paying jobs, promote economic growth and revitalization, reduce harmful methane leaks, and reduce environmental and public health risks to surface Read More
Ozment: Utilities Assistance Needs Real Change
By CAT OZMENT
Los Alamos
Utilities assistance is not glamorous, but it matters, especially when rates are increasing nationwide and in Los Alamos Our local, donation-based Utilities Assistance Program (UAP) is a good start, but it is underused by people who qualify, and donations have decreased in the last few years for a variety of reasons. On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will consider modifications to the program that are wholly inadequate to the needs of the community.
This LTE asks the community for two possible actions:
1) Email BPU bpu@lacnm.us and Read More
New Mexico Economic Development Department Shares Quarterly Updates Including On Los Alamos County
EDD News:
SANTA FE — Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes has announced that the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) updated its quarterly economic summaries for the state of New Mexico and each of the 33 counties with the most recent data on business and consumer spending, economic growth, and employment.
The data is posted quarterly on the agency website and available here.
The most recent summaries from the third quarter of the fiscal year 2023 – January, February, and March of 2023 – include data sourced from the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico Department Read More
Huang: To Lead Campaign For ‘Cluster Munition Free World’
By ZHEN HUANG
Los Alamos
When we hear somebody say or do something out of “common sense”, we instinctively would ask millions of rational “whys”. But in reality, oftentimes we are obsessed with what we love or hate to hear or see, and are very much driven by a one way channel of thinking to arrive at our preconfigured conclusion.
In the case of “sending cluster munitions to Ukraine”, we have seen two divided responses:
- A. Support as long as it might help Ukraine to win the war at any cost; and
- B. Oppose since it will create everlasting nightmares for Ukraine people.
I don’t know if anyone ever thought Read More
Greater Chaco Coalition Calls For Stronger Protection Efforts In Response To Congressional Hearing
SIERRA CLUB News:
COUNSELOR, NM — Responding to a Congressional hearing by the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resource, the Greater Chaco Coalition (Frack Off Chaco) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguard the culturally significant Greater Chaco Landscape.
The Coalition is voicing its concerns over the proposed bill that threatens to nullify the Biden administration’s administrative withdrawal, and hinder the progress made through the Honoring Chaco Initiative.
Addressing the controversy surrounding H.R. 4374, the Greater Chaco Read More
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Appointed To National Governors Association Executive Committee
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Friday was named to the National Governors Association’s Executive Committee after a vote by her peers.
“States get more done when we work together,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of New Mexico and the nation at large in finding solutions that move all of us forward.”
Gov. Lujan Grisham will serve a one-year term, which may be extended during the association’s 2024 annual summer meeting.
The other eight governors on the committee: Read More
State Covering Bill For First Responder Radio Service
DoIT News:
SANTA FE — At the direction of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state will pay monthly subscriber fees for radio service for federal, local, and tribal first responders.
The decision comes following the failure of a bill in the last legislative session that would have reimbursed public safety agencies for the cost of the subscription.
The statewide system is managed and operated by the state Department of Information Technology.
Senate Bill 409, sponsored by Senators William Burt and Brenda McKenna and Rep. Joshua Hernandez, would have reimbursed first responders from Read More
Stansbury Explains National Defense Authorization Act Vote
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act is completely unprecedented. Over the last several days, this historically bipartisan defense bill has been filled with amendments attacking our servicemembers, targeting people of color, women and reproductive health, LGBTQ+ service members, and other threats to our national security.
“Today, extremists in the GOP put their MAGA Read More
U.S. Reps. Leger Fernández, Kiggans, Pingree, González-Colón Introduce Bipartisan Women In Agriculture Act
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03) joined by U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR-At-Large) introduced the bipartisan Women in Agriculture Act.
The Women in Agriculture Act would:
- Create a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA);
- Establish a research priority for agriculture machinery and equipment designed to be used by women; and
- Prioritize funding for childcare
Senators Luján & Heinrich Introduce Legislation To Better Honor National Heroes At Santa Fe National Cemetery
New Mexico Delegation News:
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to honor and commemorate U.S. veterans with dignity and respect.
The New Mexico Veteran Burial Dignity and Honor Act will repeal a 1999 provision that allowed for the use of flat gravestones at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and replace the flat markers with upright markers. While flat markers do not lessen the stature of a national cemetery, upright gravestones serve as a more fitting tribute and will provide a uniform look throughout Read More
Council Action Taken Tuesday July 11, 2023
Staff Report
A resolution designating Election Day polling places for all statewide and special elections conducted in 2024 and 2025 and establishing the County Canvassing Board through the end of 2025 was passed during Tuesday night’s Los Alamos County Council meeting, but not unanimously.
The resolution passed 5-1, with Councilor David Reagor opposed and Councilor Randall Ryti absent.
Reagor asked County Clerk Naomi Maestas if Republicans were boycotting the canvassing board. Maestas said she hadn’t heard that. Reagor also questioned if canvass members were not allowed to look at Read More
New Mexico Governor Traveling To Out Of State Events
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will travel to several out-of-state events beginning on Tuesday.
First, Gov. Lujan Grisham will travel to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the annual summer meeting of the National Governors Association. While there, she will meet with the Council of Governors, which she was appointed to by President Biden earlier this year.
She will also meet with high-level officials from FEMA and the Department of Defense to discuss wildfire recovery efforts and supporting New Mexico’s military families.
The governor Read More
Xochitl Torres Small Confirmed As USDA Deputy Secretary
Xochitl Torres Small
USDA News:
-
- New Mexico Native to Be Sworn in as Deputy Secretary on Monday July 17
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement on the confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Xochitl Torres Small has dedicated her career to serving the agriculture industry and the American people, and I have witnessed her lead with energy, authenticity and personal investment that I know will leave an impact on USDA for years to come. As the granddaughter of migrant farm workers, Read More
Luján, Cassidy, Trahan Reintroduce ‘Terms-Of-Service Labeling, Design And Readability’ Act To Increase Online Transparency
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03) reintroduced the Terms-of-service Labeling, Design and Readability (TLDR) Act to require commercial websites and mobile apps to create a simple, readable, and accessible summary of their terms-of-service agreements.
“Consumers deserve the ability to make informed decisions online without wading through confusing pages of legal jargon,” said Sen. Luján, Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Read More
LAPS School Board Has 3 Positions On November Ballot
From left, LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy, School Board President Antonio Jaurigue, Vice President Ellen Specter, Secretary Christine Bernstein and members Melanie Colgan and Sondra Wyman. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Three seats for the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) School Board will be on the ballot this November.
Seats held by Christine Bernstein (District 3, Aspen Elementary), Melanie Colgan (District 4, Barranca Mesa Elementary and Los Alamos Middle School) and Sondra Wyman (District 5, Mountain Elementary and Los Alamos High School) are open.
Bernstein and Colgan are completing Read More
Robinson: Remembering The Nation’s First Female County Extension Agent
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
It’s not every day that an old friend becomes a museum exhibit.
The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces recently opened an exhibit, “Beyond the Farm: Groundbreaking Agriculture,” to honor seven people. One was the late Jessie Fitzgerald, the nation’s first female county extension agent.
When I met Jessie, I was a rookie reporter in Grants, and we were part of a circle of women friends, all with challenging jobs. Not until much later did I learn Jessie came from a historic family and had herself made history.
Jessie Read More
Common Cause Applauds New Mexico Supreme Court’s Recent Landmark Ruling On Redistricting
CCNM News:
The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling last week that partisan gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause of the New Mexico Constitution.
This decision guarantees protections against the manipulation of voting districts and empowers a trial court to adjudicate Republican Party of New Mexico v. Oliver, a partisan gerrymandering claim arising out of the most recent redistricting cycle.
But the decision isn’t a clearcut victory for anyone except those who want continued legal wrangling and partisan squabbles.
“While this decision allows an important Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Appoints Morgan Wood To Santa Fe County Magistrate Court To Replace Dev Atma S. Khalsa
COURT News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Morgan Wood to the Santa Fe County Magistrate Court.
Wood, 49, is a prosecutor in the Children’s Court in the Frist Judicial District in Santa Fe. She started in the office in September 2020. Wood has 18 years of criminal law experience in New Mexico.
Originally from Fort Collins, Colo., Wood received a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University in New Orleans. She graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 2004. Wood holds a license to practice law in New Mexico.
Wood fills the vacancy of Dev Atma S. Khalsa, who resigned in Read More
County Council Will Meet In Regular Session July 11, 2023
LAPS Notice & Agenda For July 11 Board Meeting
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) announces the next School Board is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, in the Administration Offices, School Board Room at 2101 Trinity Drive, Suite V.
The meeting is open to the public.
To submit comments for items not on the agenda, see email address in item 6.
For comments during the meeting, use: public.comments@laschools.net.
Agenda:
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Call to Order President Antonio Jaurigue will call the meeting to order and review the meeting protocols.
- Roll Call
- Routine Business/Approval of Agenda Approval of Agenda Action Item
- Recognition
