CSD To Host Public Meetings On Integrated Master Plan
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Community Services Department (CSD) will be hosting three public meetings Jan. 25 and 26 to share the results from the development of the new Community Services Integrated Master Plan (IMP).
Berry Dunn, the professional consulting service that assisted in the development of the IMP will be onsite to present the recommended action plan and answer any questions.
These meetings are in person and have Zoom access.
The IMP was developed to assess existing programs, services, and facilities, as well as identify gaps and potential future needs. Key inputs into Read More
Wallin: News About State’s Budget Surplus
By AMBER WALLIN
Executive Director
New Mexico Voices for Children
There’s been lots of news lately about the state’s budget surplus–a surplus that presents a great opportunity for New Mexico to make some key investments in our people and in the programs that matter most to their well-being.
What’s gotten less attention is that the surplus also highlights some fundamental issues with where the state gets money to fund crucial programs and offers some warnings–and some important opportunities–for how New Mexico could and should move forward. A new study from national finance Read More
Luján Tours New Mexico Veterans Home, Hatch Schools
U.S. Ben Ray Luján chats with a veteran during his tour Thursday at the New Mexico State Veterans Home in Truth or Consequences. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
HATCH — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) traveled Thursday to Hatch and Truth or Consequences to highlight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects secured in the Southern parts of the state.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Luján visited Hatch Valley Schools to celebrate the $200,000 CDS funding secured to construct an Animal Science Facility. In Truth or Consequences, Luján toured the New Mexico State Veterans Read More
Retired Army Col. Donnie Quintana Named Secretary Of Veterans Services In New Mexico
Retired Army Col. Donnie Quintana has been appointed as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services. Courtesy/NMDVS
New Mexico More Than Doubles Number Of Teachers Receiving Debt Relief
Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) announced that it has more than doubled the number of teachers receiving loan forgiveness through the state’s Teacher Loan Repayment Program, thanks to additional funding approved by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2022.
The agency awarded funding to 966 new applicants and renewed funding for 445 applicants, marking the largest number of teachers to ever benefit from the Teacher Loan Repayment Program in a single year.
Gov. Lujan Grisham approved $5 million,
Big Changes On Horizon For Mari Mac Plaza
Aerial view taken in late 2022 of the Mari Mac Shopping Center. Drone shot by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
After almost 10 years of speculating on Mari Mac Plaza’s fate after Smith’s relocated across the street and watching pieces of the plaza abandoned and deteriorated, Columbus Capital is stepping in with an idea to turn Mari Mac around.
Developers Jeffrey Branch and Greg Gonzales of Columbus Capital recently discussed the status of their plans with the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Last year, Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Read More
County Council Discusses 2023 Strategic Priorities
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council routinely reviews, modifies and approves a list of strategic priorities but this year something new was introduced.
During the special session Tuesday night, Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent introduced councilors to a proposed public dashboard that will track the 2023 strategic priorities and identify the progress being made toward reaching these priorities.
“In conjunction with our new website we have been looking at how to also at the same time implement a public dashboard that would go live Read More
BLM Seeks Input On Potential Updates To Solar Energy Program During Public Scoping Meeting In Albuquerque
BLM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — As part of an ongoing effort to support responsible renewable energy development on public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is holding a Public Scoping Meeting, 3-7 p.m., Jan. 26, in Albuquerque, N.M., to solicit feedback on the recently announced Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for BLM’s utility-scale solar energy planning.
Updates are being considered to the 2012 Western Solar Plan that includes six southwestern states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah – and seeks comments about expanding Read More
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury Votes For Reproductive Rights
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted Wednesday to defend reproductive rights against House Republicans’ systematic efforts to criminalize abortion and abortion providers.
Rep. Stansbury joined other House Democrats to cosponsor an alternative resolution condemning violence and attacks on health care facilities, personnel, and patients and voted in favor of a Democratic motion to protect reproductive rights and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Following the Supreme Court’s Read More
Lunch With A Leader: Council Chair Denise Derkacs Jan. 19
Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs
LWVLA News:
The next “Lunch with a Leader”, an event for the entire community hosted by the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWVLA), is noon Thursday, Jan. 19, via zoom.
The leader is Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs. She was elected to Council two years ago and has served as vice chair this past year. Prior to her election, she served for more than two years as a volunteer on the Community Development Advisory Board.
Derkacs retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory after 20 years of employment. She worked as a chief of staff to senior Read More
Conservation Officers Transfer Tiger Cub To ABQ BioPark
NMDG&F conservation officers took possession of this Bengal tiger cub confiscated Tuesday by the Albuquerque Police Department. Courtesy/NMDG&F
NMDG&F News:
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDG&F) conservation officers took possession of a young Bengal tiger confiscated Tuesday by the Albuquerque Police Department. Learn more about this case at APD’s News Page.
Conservation officers have transferred the tiger to the ABQ BioPark, where it was examined by veterinarians and determined to be in good health. The tiger will reside in its temporary Read More
Equality New Mexico Announces 30-Year Anniversary
EQNM News:
Equality New Mexico (EQNM), statewide LGBTQ advocacy and liberation organization, is beginning its year-long 30th anniversary celebration.
The organization, founded in 1993, has been working through public education, political advocacy and culture change to achieve LGBTQ equality across New Mexico.
The organization announced that it would kick off this year of celebration with a robust and ambitious LGBTQ-protections legislative agenda, which includes democracy expansion and protections, modernizing anti-discrimination laws, and proactively protecting LGBTQ Read More
New Mexico Congressional Delegation Welcomes Establishment Of Orphaned Wells Program Office
New Mexico Congressional Delegation News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming the Biden administration establishing an Orphaned Wells Program Office to ensure effective, accountable, and efficient implementation of the Infrastructure Law’s historic investment in orphaned well clean-up.
Last year, $43.7 million was allocated for first phase of funding available to New Mexico for orphaned well clean-up Read More
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Welcomes Over $5.7 Million In Broadband Funding For New Mexico
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced Tuesday two grant awards to the State of New Mexico for broadband infrastructure and digital equity programs to help connect families to affordable, resilient, and secure broadband across New Mexico.
This $5 million in funding through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and over $700,000 through the Digital Equity Program will assist with planning to close the digital divide and enable more New Mexico communities to participate in the digital economy.
This is the first broadband infrastructure Read More
New Mexico OSHA Bureau Chief Robert Genoway Formalizes Alliance With Somos Un Pueblo Unidos To Broaden Access For Migrants To Agency and Resources
Somos Un Pueblo Unido was joined by New Mexico OSHA Bureau Chief Robert Genoway, center, Monday to formalize an alliance to broaden the access New Mexico immigrant workers have. Courtesy/Somos Un Pueblo Unido
Somos Un Pueblo Unido News:
SANTA FE — Somos Un Pueblo Unido was joined Monday by New Mexico OSHA Bureau Chief Robert Genoway to formalize an alliance to broaden the access New Mexico immigrant workers have to this state agency and its resources.
A signing event was held at Somos’ Santa Fe office where several Somos members from Hobbs, Farmington, Gallup, Roswell and Santa Fe shared stories Read More
Governor Appoints James Ellison New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
James F. Ellison, Jr.
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday the appointment of James F. Ellison, Jr., to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
Brian K. Moore, who was previously appointed to the commission, submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Lujan Grisham stating that he did not meet the statutory educational qualifications for the appointment.
Individuals submitted to the governor for appointment consideration applied through and were vetted by the PRC Nominating Committee, a process independent of the governor’s office and established Read More
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Releases $9.4 Billion Executive Budget For FY24; Maintains Reserves At 34.9 Percent
From the Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham:
SANTA FE – Amid an unprecedented fiscal outlook for the state, the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration today released the FY24 Executive Budget Recommendation from the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, totaling $9.4B in recurring spending, an 11.9 percent increase from the last fiscal year.
The executive recommendation will maintain reserves at 34.9 percent, among the highest in state history, while increasing investments in priority areas like housing and homelessness, health care and behavioral health,
Common Cause New Mexico Denounces Violence Directed Toward Public Servants
CCNM Executive Director Mario Jimenez
CCNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Several New Mexico elected officials have recently been victim to gunfire hitting their family homes and campaign offices.
While it’s too soon to know if these attacks are connected, it’s clear that these elected leaders have been targeted for holding public office and threatened with gun violence.
CCNM Executive Director Mario Jimenez issued the following statement:
“Elected officials should never be put in harm’s way or made to feel unsafe on the job or in their own homes. Our public servants, regardless of party, are chosen Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Gather With Community At Fuller Lodge To Discuss 2023 Legislative Session
Audience members listen to lawmakers at the Legislative Preview Jan. 5 at Fuller Lodge. The event was hosted by the Los Alamos Chapter of The American Association of University Women and League of Women Voters. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
By BONNIE GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
The Los Alamos Chapter of The American Association of University Women and The League of Women Voters hosted a New Mexico Legislative Preview Jan. 5 at Fuller Lodge.
The two senators who represent Los Alamos, Leo Jaramillo and Roberto (Bobby) Gonzales and House Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Read More
Governor’s Office Announces Application Period Now Open For New Mexico’s PRC Tribal Advisory Council
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday announced the opening of the application period for the Public Regulation Commission Tribal Advisory Council.
Created by the governor’s Dec. 30, 2022 executive order, the PRC Tribal Advisory Council is designed to advise the commission on issues relevant to New Mexico’s Native American communities and provide recommendations on how the PRC may best address those issues.
“It is extremely important that we ensure tribal voices are heard on issues before the PRC, regardless of current and future Read More
