Calling All Democrats! Come To April 10 Party Meeting
Rep. Christine Chandler at the March DPLA meeting presenting highlights of the 2023 Legislative Session. Courtesy/DPLA
DPLA News:
Come join your fellow Democrats at the next meeting of the Democratic Party of Los Alamos (DPLA) at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 10. It will be held in hybrid format, Zoom and in person.
DPLA will thank past officers, introduce the new Party leadership team, and discuss future plans and activities.
Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81654127593 Meeting ID: 816 5412 7593
In Person: Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, 1738 North Sage St. Read More
County Council Proclaims April 15-22 International Dark Skies Week In Los Alamos
From left, Didier Sauron and Galen Gisler accept a proclamation from Councilor Theresa Cull recognizing April 15-22 as International Dark Sky Week in Los Alamos during Tuesday’s council meeting. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council issued a proclamation recognizing April 15-22 as International Dark Sky Week in Los Alamos during its regular meeting April 4.
Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull read the proclamation:
WHEREAS, the aesthetic beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind, and the experience of standing beneath a starry night sky inspires Read More
County Council To Hold Special Session April 12, 2023
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will hold a special session at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at the PCS Training Room, 101 Camino Entrada
Building 1 in Los Alamos.
The purpose of the special session is County Council Facilitated Team Building Workshop.
The meeting is open to the public.
Find the agenda to this meeting here: April 12, 2023 County Council Special Session Agenda. Read More
NNSA Establishes Advisory Committee For Nuclear Security
NNSA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has established the Advisory Committee for Nuclear Security (ACNS).
Formerly known as the Defense Programs Advisory Committee, the newly formed ACNS enlists experts with knowledge that spans the full range of the NNSA missions to provide independent advice and recommendations to NNSA leadership. The ACNS will provide insight on the stewardship and modernization of the nation’s nuclear stockpile and enterprise, nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, and counterterrorism Read More
Governor Signs Senate Bill 280 Cybersecurity Act
DoIT News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday, signed into law Senate Bill 280 — the Cybersecurity Act.
The Act establishes a Cybersecurity Office which will oversee cybersecurity, and information security related functions across the state Information Technology (IT) ecosystem.
The Act also establishes a cybersecurity advisory committee which is charged with identifying and recommending cybersecurity best practices for all state government entities, educational institutions, and tribal governments. The Cybersecurity Office, working in conjunction with Read More
Governor Signs Five Bills To Strengthen Healthcare Access And Affordability Across New Mexico
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed into law five healthcare-related bills that will support and strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce and make healthcare more affordable and accessible across the state.
“Today is a great day for New Mexico families, patients and providers, and this was some of the greatest progress I have seen on health care during my career,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “It’s worth noting that many of these bills passed with bipartisan and often unanimous support for legislation Read More
Judge Finds Legislative Council Service Violated IPRA
Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood
NMFOG News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) applauds the decision by New Mexico First Judicial Court Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood ruling the New Mexico Legislative Council Service (LCS) violated the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) by failing to fulfill a request from Ethics Watch for public records regarding the 2021 Junior Appropriations Act.
In the suit filed in December 2021, Ethics Watch requested spreadsheets containing the complete list of appropriations and the name of the House and Senate member submitting Read More
Rep. Vasquez Brings Secretary Pete Buttigieg And Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair To New Mexico To Discuss Infrastructure Investments
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez. Courtesy/Rep. Vasquez
STATE News:
DEMING — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) hosted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Wednesday, April 5, in New Mexico’s second congressional district.
After calling on Secretary Buttigieg in February to improve New Mexico’s rail safety, the Representative successfully secured the visit of the first-ever Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary to Deming. Rep. Vasquez was proud to announce $45 million – the Read More
Governor OKs $500 Rebates For New Mexico Taxpayers
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law today key tax priorities that she proposed earlier this year. With her signature, $500 rebates will be delivered to more than 900,000 taxpayers this spring.
The governor also signed provisions supporting tens of thousands of New Mexico families who will save money through an expanded child tax credit, as well as expansions of the gross receipts tax deduction for health care practitioners and the film tax credit program.
“Every one of these provisions directly helps New Mexicans through supporting working families, bolstering Read More
New Mexico Receives Positive & Stable Ratings For 2023 General Obligation Bond Series
NMDFA News:
SANTA FE — The State of New Mexico received Aa2 and AA/AA bond ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Rating on the upcoming New Mexico General Obligation Bond Series 2023, with an estimated issuance of $233.3 million.
Both rating agencies assigned a stable outlook, providing confidence in the state to bond investors.
“New Mexico bonds continue to be attractive to investors,” DFA Secretary Wayne Propst said. “Our reserve levels continue to near historic highs, the state has maintained moderate debt levels throughout the year and reforms related to pension Read More
Rep. Leger Fernández Opens Submissions For 2023 Congressional Art Competition: ‘New Mexico Resiliency’
Submission to a previous Congressional Art Competition. Courtesy image
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) announced Wednesday that her office will open submissions for the annual Congressional Art Competition. Each year the competition provides members of the U.S. House of Representatives an opportunity to showcase the artistic talent of high school students within their districts.
High school students across the 3rd District of New Mexico including Los Alamos can submit one piece of original artwork for the opportunity to have their work displayed Read More
New Mexico Governor Signs Measures To Combat Straw Purchases, Organized Retail & Catalytic Converter Theft
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today signed three pieces of legislation into law aimed at curbing gun violence and theft.
“These are all extremely important tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to help combat crime in New Mexico,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “But this fight isn’t over, and my administration will continue pushing for more measures to prevent crime, hold criminals accountable and create safe communities for all New Mexicans.”
The governor signed:
- HB 306 Purchase of Firearms for Another;
- HB 234 Robbery and Organized Retail Crime; and
- SB 133 Catalytic
Luján Addresses 1st Year Anniversary Of Hermit’s Peak Fire
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement today to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hermit’s Peak Fire.
“Today, New Mexico marks a solemn anniversary of the Hermit’s Peak Fire that upended the lives of far too many New Mexicans. From burning family homes, disrupting small businesses, and impacting our farmers and ranchers, this fire started by the federal government, and the flooding that followed, devastated the people of New Mexico and our way of life.
“As we reflect on this challenging time, it’s clear this Read More
Council Action Taken April 4, 2023
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Developing new bike trails has bounced around Los Alamos County since 2013. Originally, new trails were proposed for Pajarito Mountain, then a possible bike flow trail was floated for one of the area’s canyons and then a whole system including trails, a skills park and a loop for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association was proposed for Pueblo Canyon.
The project evolved again during Tuesday night’s Council meeting.
Council voted 6-0, Councilor Keith Lepsch was absent, to do the following:
- Adjust the scope the Pueblo
New Protection For Immigrant Children Signed Into Law
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
DPNM News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law House Bill 15 Wednesday, creating a path for young immigrants to stay in New Mexico, when returning to their home country is not safe.
House Bill 15 establishes a Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, which would allow immigrant children under the age of 21 to seek lawful permanent residence in New Mexico if they are abused, neglected, abandoned, cannot be viably reunified with their parents, or it is not in their best interest to be returned to their country of nationality.
“This bill becoming Read More
New Mexico Congressional Delegation To Host Virtual Military Service Academy Nominations Event
Congressional Delegation News:
ALBUQUERQUE — At 6:30 p.m. MT, Thursday, April 13, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, and U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury, Teresa Leger Fernández and Gabe Vasquez will bring together representatives from U.S. Military Service Academies for a virtual Q&A session.
The conversation is an opportunity for high school students and recent graduates to ask questions about the nomination process and attending U.S. Military Service Academies.
The New Mexico delegation will be accepting online applications for nominations to enter an academy in Fall Read More
Stansbury Joins Buttigieg To Announce Infrastructure Law Funding Opportunities To Prevent Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury speaks on wildlife-vehicle collision prevention Tuesday at Santa Ana Pueblo with from left, Gov. Michelle Luján Grisham, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Santa Ana Governor Nathan Garcia. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
ALBUQUERQUE — Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to announce millions in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding opportunities to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. New Mexico’s Wildlife Read More
Public Shares Thoughts On WIPP, Nuclear Pit Production With NNSA & DOE EM Officials At Santa Fe Town Hall
Scene from tonight’s town hall at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Courtesy photo 
Speaking at tonight’s town hall, from left, Ike White, Senior Advisor for DOE and EM; Jill Hruby, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security/NNSA Administrator and moderator Anna Hansen, SF County Commission Chair. Courtesy photoMore than 200 people attend a Town Hall this evening at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center in collaboration with Jill Hruby, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and Ike White, Senior Read More
Today Marks 55th Anniversary Of Assassination Of MLK
Martin Luther King Jr.
Staff Report:
Today marks the 55th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr.
He used nonviolent civil disobedience in fighting discrimination and had arrived in Tennessee the day before to prepare for a march on behalf of striking Memphis sanitation workers. King was shot dead while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. He was 39 years old.
King is well-known for his “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Read More
Gessing: Donor Privacy
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
In a small, but significant victory for free speech during the recent legislative session, S.B. 42, a measure that would have made New Mexico’s already hostile privacy laws for nonprofit causes even worse, was miraculously killed on the House floor. The bill had already been adopted by the Senate, so this was truly a last-ditch effort.
Current laws relating to forcing nonprofits to disclose their donors are already being challenged by the Rio Grande Foundation in court. That original law (adopted in 2019) dramatically expanded New Mexico’s Read More
