New Mexico Education Departments Join To Raise Awareness About Firearm Safety … June Is National Gun Violence Awareness Month
STATE EDUCATION News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Public and Higher Education Departments join a national effort raising awareness about the dangers of gun violence and share information aimed at preventing tragedies in schools, homes and communities during National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Staff members at PED are wearing orange on Wednesdays in June in solidarity with advocates nationwide working to end gun violence. Every year in the United States, 19,000 children and teens are shot and killed or wounded, and approximately 3 million are exposed to gun violence. More than 455 New Mexicans Read More
LULAC Celebrates 41st Anniversary Of Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Education Case In Favor Of Immigrant Children
LULAC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) commemorates the 41st Anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, a landmark court case that solidified the right of undocumented immigrant children to receive an education in the United States.
The significance of this ruling cannot be overstated, as it marked a pivotal moment in the fight for equal access to education for all children, regardless of their immigration status.
“As we celebrate the 41st Anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, LULAC stands firmly committed to upholding the principles of equal access to education Read More
Higher Education Department Offers $5 Million In Debt Forgiveness For Teachers
NMHED Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is encouraging teachers with outstanding student loans to apply for debt forgiveness through the state’s Teacher Loan Repayment Program, which is now accepting applications until Aug. 1.
New Mexico licensed teachers working in high-need fields and schools statewide may be eligible for up to $6,000 per year for two years toward principal debt and interest on federal student loans related to teacher education.
The program received a record number of applications last year Read More
Scenes From Elks Lodge 2023 Flag Retirement Ceremony
The Elks Lodge 2083 on Trinity Drive held a Flag Retirement Ceremony today in conjunction with National Flag Day. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Elks Lodge members properly retired worn out or damaged flags. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
NJROTC members Sonya Ayers and Sofia Parra fold a flag at the end of the ceremony today at Elks Lodge. Each of the 13 folds has a special meaning. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Chris Wetteland presented a history of the American Flag and development of the eight flags that represented the United States over the years with assistance from the Read More
U.S. Senators Heinrich, Luján And Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill To Invest In America’s Forests & Watersheds
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined their bipartisan colleagues U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and others today, to introduce the Headwaters Protection Act.
This bipartisan legislation would expand support for two U.S. Forest Service (USFS) programs created by Heinrich in the 2018 Farm Bill. The two programs together prevent water pollution at the source, improve the health of our watersheds, and ensure investments benefit downstream communities.
“Nearly a decade ago, I was proud Read More
Commissioner Garcia Richard Awards Lease For Solar Array In Doña Ana County … Project Quadruples Renewable Capacity On State Lands
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard today awarded a lease to Revolve Afton Solar LLC to construct a solar array on state land in Doña Ana County, quadrupling the renewable energy capacity on state lands since 2019.
Revolve Afton Solar LLC met all requirements for the lease and submitted the highest and best bid, which was unsealed at a public auction at the State Land Office this morning.
The project is expected to produce approximately 125 megawatts of solar power, which is enough to power roughly Read More
National Association Of Counties Welcomes New Director Of White House Office Of Intergovernmental Affairs
NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties (NACo) Monday welcomed Tom Perez to his new role as senior advisor and director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Perez is a former county official, having served as a Montgomery County, Md. councilmember from 2002 to 2006.
NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase said:
“We are pleased to welcome Director Perez to this new role. With a background in multiple levels of government, Director Perez values the importance of a strong intergovernmental partnership.
“As a former county elected official, Director Read More
New Mexico Delegation Pushes For Improvements To Medical Support At Cannon Air Force Base
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) wrote to the Defense Health Agency to encourage improved medical support at Cannon Air Force Base (AFB), located near Clovis, New Mexico and review any barriers that limit medical services hiring or contracting.
Cannon AFB hosts the Air Force’s second largest special operations wing and provides very favorable air space and year-round flying conditions that ensure the highest level Read More
Heinrich On Confirmation Of Dr. Jared Bernstein As Chair Of Council Of Economic Advisers
Dr. Jared Bernstein
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Martin Heinrich, (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement Tuesday after the Senate confirmed President Biden’s nomination of Dr. Jared Bernstein to serve as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.
“We have made real economic progress under President Biden. That’s included investing in the American people, growing our middle class, and cutting everyday costs. I look forward to working with Dr. Jared Bernstein, our new Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, to help Read More
Lunch With A Leader Features Sen. Leo Jaramillo Thursday
Sen. Leo Jaramillo
LWV News:
The Los Alamos League of Women Voters’ (LWV) community event, Lunch with a Leader, is noon to 1 p.m. Thursday June 15, via Zoom.
This month’s speaker is State Sen. Leo Jaramillo who was originally scheduled to speak in May but had to cancel. Sen. Jaramillo was elected in November 2020. He represents only Los Alamos, but said he works for all of Los Alamos County. He serves as vice chairman of the Rules Committee and is a member of the tax, business and transportation committees in the New Mexico Senate.
Sen. Jaramillo is a native son of the Española Valley and an alumnus of Read More
Luján Introduces Legislation To Improve Access To Clean Buses For Rural Communities
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced legislation today to expand rural communities’ access to clean school buses. Studies have shown that pollution levels in the cabin of existing diesel school buses are 12 times higher than outdoors.
This legislation will protect rural students from these harmful diesel emissions by supporting the installation of the infrastructure needed to support rural schools’ clean bus fleets.
Specifically, this bill will codify the eligibility of clean school bus infrastructure, such as propane Read More
Global Santa Fe Hosts ‘Nothing To See Here, Folks: U.S.-China Relations With David Firestein’ Thursday June 29
Global Santa Fe New:
Global Santa Fe hosts “Nothing to See Here, Folks: U.S.-China Relations with David Firestein”, president and CEO of the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.–China Relations.
The talk is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29 at Hotel Santa Fe.
The cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.
Pre-registration is required at www.globalsantafe.org. Read More
Los Alamos County Council To Hold Closed And Regular Sessions Tuesday June 13
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will hold a Closed Session at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.
The purpose of this Closed Session is to discuss Limited Personnel Matters – Annual Evaluation of the County Manager and the Utilities Manager.
Find the agenda to this meeting here: Agenda.
The Los Alamos County Council also will hold a regular session 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 in Council Chambers at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public.
Heinrich, Collins, Cortez Masto Announce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Permanently Ban Bump Stock Devices
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act, legislation to prohibit the sale of bump stocks and other devices that allow semi-automatic firearms to increase their rate of fire and effectively operate as fully automatic weapons. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) has introduced companion legislation in the House.
“In January, a federal court of appeals ruled that it would require an ’act of Congress’ to federally outlaw bump stocks. Here it is,” Read More
BLM Urges New Mexicans To Comment On Sweeping Proposal Places Newfound Priority On Preservation
NMFLC News:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is taking comments on the most sweeping regulatory changes proposed in more than 50 years, said New Mexico Federal Lands Council (NMFLC) President Don L. (Bebo) Lee in Alamogordo.
The comment period on the new rule closes June 20, 2023. To read the proposed rule, visit: https://www.blm.gov/public-lands-rule. Directions for filing comments are also at that site.
Dubbed the framework for “conservation leases”, the proposal places a newfound priority on preservation. The new Public Lands Rule presents a radical departure from the “multiple Read More
Robinson: False Complaint To Ethics Commission Goes Public
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
It’s one of those calls no elected official wants to get.
Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup, was out of state when a reporter called to ask her about an ethics complaint.
“What ethics complaint?” she asked.
The state Ethics Commission received, investigated and dismissed the complaint in April and notified Lundstrom by legislative email, which Lundstrom and many other lawmakers don’t use outside of sessions. Unaware of the complaint, she didn’t respond, but the commission dismissed the complaint on a technicality – namely that Read More
Governor Appoints Peter Mantos To Head Special IT Projects
Peter Mantos
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced a change in leadership at the Department of Information Technology (DoIT).
Peter Mantos will transition from his position as state CIO and Cabinet Secretary designate to a new role overseeing important IT-related special projects for Governor-led initiatives.
“I am grateful for the new opportunity to continue to work in the Governor’s office and help her fulfil her promises to New Mexicans,” Mantos said. “I appreciate the time and dedication of the DoIT employees over the past year, and I am Read More
Governor issues Executive Order For Emergency Funding For City Of Farmington In Wake Of May Mass Shooting
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — The Lujan Grisham administration issued an executive order Thursday approving emergency funding for the City of Farmington in the wake of a mass shooting that left three New Mexicans dead last month and six injured.
The funding will assist the city in providing increased mental health support for community members affected by the tragedy.
“I have made it clear to the Farmington community that the state will provide whatever resources necessary for as long as it takes to heal from what happened May 15,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “While the wider Read More
New Mexico Congressional Delegation Calls On USPS For Plan To Restore Postal Service To Chimayó Following Fire
Chimayó Post Office before destroyed by fire in February. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) urged United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for a plan of action to restore postal service to the community of Chimayó.
In February, the U.S. Post Office in Chimayó was destroyed by a fire. While the USPS rerouted mail to the Santa Cruz Post Office, the distance of as much as 20 miles roundtrip puts mail service out of reach for Read More
Heinrich Introduces Bill To Improve Access To Rental Housing
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Delivering Essential Protection, Opportunity, and Security for Tenants (DEPOSIT) Act. An important piece of addressing the housing crisis, this legislation will help low-income renters overcome the barrier of security deposit payments when moving into new housing.
U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Cali.) has introduced companion legislation in the House.
“We have a serious housing crisis in New Mexico and across the country. It’s impacting everyone, at all income levels and in nearly every community. The Read More
