Heinrich, Luján Deliver Over $273 Million In FY23 Funding For 146 New Mexico Projects
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) are delivering more than $273 million in investments for 146 local projects across New Mexico through the Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23).
The bill passed the Senate today and is expected to be voted on by the House.
The $1.7 trillion FY23 spending bill includes $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary programs, including $118.7 billion – a 22 percent increase – for VA medical care, and $858 billion in defense funding. To combat the pain of inflation felt Read More
Councilors Share Highlights & Challenges Of Their Service
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
As Los Alamos County Councilor David Reagor said, “It really has been a busy year”.
On Dec. 13, the Los Alamos County Council – as consisting of Reagor and Councilors David Izraelevitz, Sara Scott, Denise Derkacs, Randall Ryti, Melanee Hand and Keith Lepsch – concluded.
It was an ending to four very eventful years. This council featured changing faces, significant decisions, a major wildfire and global pandemic.
The Los Alamos Daily Post reached out to all seven Councilors and asked each what they saw as this council’s greatest Read More
Los Alamos County Assessor Ken Midler Earns New Mexico Certification Appraiser Certificate
Outgoing Los Alamos County Assessor Ken Milder, left, and New Mexico Property Tax Division Director Santiago Chavez hold up Milder’s New Mexico Certification Appraiser certificate Tuesday afternoon in Council Chambers. Milder received the certificate after completing four courses through the International Association of Assessing Officers. Receiving this certificate makes Milder a state certified appraiser through the New Mexico Property Taxation Division. ‘This is something I wanted to achieve since getting into office,’ Midler said. He added that even though he is leaving the Read More
Rep. Leger Fernández Statement On Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Address To Congress
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández issued this statement Wednesday in response to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to Congress:
“President Zelenskyy, like the brave people of Ukraine, has inspired the world in the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom, and democracy. His visit comes at a critical time in the war, as winter arrives and Russia recklessly targets civilian water and electricity infrastructure.
“The United States, in coordination with our allies around the world, must continue to support democracy Read More
Scott: Looking Back On Council Service
By SARA SCOTT
Los Alamos County Councilor
First I’d like to thank all of the community members, staff and my fellow Council members who invest their time and energy to actively engage in keeping our community the wonderful place it is to live, work, and play while taking steps to address challenges and make Los Alamos and White Rock even better in the future.
Four years ago, Council pared down more than 20 strategic priorities to seven so that we could focus efforts on key areas of interest to the community. Making progress in these priority areas that include housing, business environment, infrastructure, Read More
Lepsch: My Experience On County Council
By KEITH LEPSCH
Los Alamos County Councilor
Hi, this is Keith Lepsch, I am the newest Councilor and was appointed in April to fill a vacancy on County Council. During this time I have appreciated all of the input from community members and look forward to continuing to engage with citizens and organizations to better understand how we can continue to make our community a better place.
Overall, I would like to start by stating that while I am still gaining experience with the County operations and the government processes, I have been very impressed and pleased by all of the County staff and systems Read More
DPU Remains Vigilant Of Winter Storm Elliott Impact
Deputy Utility Manager of Electric Production Jordan Garcia
COUNTY News:
As Winter Storm Elliott promises to drive temperatures down across the western United States, combined with already increasing gas pricing, officials with the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) would like to remind natural gas customers to be cognizant of their gas usage this holiday season.
“Dropping temperatures mean natural gas is in greater demand,” said Jordan Garcia, Deputy Utility Manager of Electric Production. “The natural gas system in New Mexico is tightly intertwined, so if it’s suddenly Read More
County Provides Biennial Community Survey Clarification
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County, in partnership with its contractor National Research Center (NRC), mailed in early December its biennial Community Survey to 2,500 randomly selected households throughout Los Alamos and White Rock.
The survey aims to provide a comprehensive picture of citizen perspectives on community livability.
County officials offer the following clarification regarding the survey:
Council goals and priorities. Question 14 in the survey asks citizens to identify the top three Council priority areas. While very similar to the 2022 Council priority areas, the 2021 Read More
Rep. Stansbury Applauds Federal Court Ruling Requiring Transfer Of Alamogordo Chimpanzees To Chimp Haven
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) issued the following statement after a federal judge ruled that more than two dozen chimpanzees housed at the Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) be transferred to a chimpanzee sanctuary:
This court order is a major victory after years of advocacy on behalf of the chimps held at the Alamogordo Primate Facility. The facility currently houses over 30 chimpanzees that have not been used for research in over two decades in conditions that are ill-equipped to meet Read More
Gessing: Rebates And Deferred Spending Ineffective Uses Of Windfall Budget Surplus
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
As the State’s Permian oil production boom continues in New Mexico the budget surpluses available to legislators each session grow as well. The latest announced budget surplus is $3.6 billion which is a positively mind-blowing 43 percent. This surplus is on top of already dramatic spending growth of 30 percent during the first four years of the Lujan Grisham Administration.
More spending growth this year is to be expected, but the capacity for government to continue expanding after years of rapid growth is somewhat limited by the ability Read More
BJS Director Piquero Provides 2022 End-Of-Year Remarks
Video: Director Alexis R. Piquero, PhD, provides 2022 end-of-year remarks, click here. Courtesy/BJS
DOJ News:
Bureau of Justice Statistics Director Alexis R. Piquero, PhD, provides his 2022 end-of-year remarks.
“It has been an exciting four months since I had the honor of being appointed by President Biden to serve as the director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Not a day has gone by that I have not enjoyed every minute of it. Why you may ask?…”
Watch Director Piquero’s full message here.
About the Bureau of Justice Statistics
The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Statement On Senate Passage Of His Legislation To Safeguard Sacred Tribal Items
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after he passed by unanimous consent on the Senate Floor his bipartisan Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, which now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law:
“As I drafted the STOP Act, I worked closely with New Mexico’s Pueblos, the Jicarilla and Mescalero Apache Nations, and the Navajo Nation. I’m proud that the legislation earned strong support across Indian Country and across party lines in both the House and Senate. Over these Read More
Stansbury, Leger Fernández Urge Congress To Prevent Looming Medicare Cuts
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) and Teresa Leger Fernández (N.M.-03), joined 113 Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter to President Biden and House and Senate leadership urging swift action to prevent looming Medicare cuts.
Reps. Stansbury and Leger Fernández joined their colleagues urging action to prevent Medicare reimbursement cuts of over 8 percent. The cuts would cut back on the health care that the over 440,000 Medicare recipients in New Mexico depend on, particularly Read More
Leger Fernández, Cortez Masto, Barragán Introduce Resolution To Recognize Latina Equal Pay Day
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Leger Fernández
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA-44) introduced the Latina Equal Pay Day Resolution to recognize the disparity in wages paid to Latinas, the significance of equal pay, and its larger impact on women, families and the economy.
Video of Latina women in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) supporting the Latina Equal Pay Day resolution available HERE.
“Mis hermanas, Sen. Cortez Masto y U.S. Rep. Barragán, y yo, decidimos que ya basta, Read More
Shaller: Urgent Appeal For Donations For Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers at Colores United arrive with very few personal items such as metallic disposable space blankets. Donations for asylum seekers can be made via online donor forms at coloresunited.org. Courtesy photo
By CATHLEEN SCHALLER
Los Alamos
Colores United, a small charity in Deming was bustling with activity when I arrived Wednesday Dec. 7, 2022. I had to pick up my son Morgan Schaller. He had been volunteering with Colores United for the past week, preparing their shelter for the next wave of asylum seekers. I delivered a van full of fresh food, pillows, and warm clothing. It always seems Read More
PRC Approves JMEC Rate Increase Settlement
JMEC CEO and General Manager Michael Hastings
PRC News:
ESPAÑOLA — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) in its regularly scheduled open meeting Dec. 7, voted to approve the settlement agreement reached by all parties in the rate increase application filed by Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc., (JMEC).
PRC commissioners approved the settlement agreement by a vote of 5 to 0.
“JMEC’s request for a rate increase has always been about system safety and reliability,” said JMEC CEO and General Manager Michael Hastings. “It has been clear to our members and employees that we Read More
White House Hosts Summit On COVID-19 Mistrust & Equity
A poster presentation highlights wellness, community, nonprofit and public health organizations that worked to gain equity in providing direct relief services to their communities during the COVID pandemic. Courtesy/Yee Ha’ólníi Doo
Yee Ha’ólníi Doo News:
Ch’íhootsooí, Dinétah, Window Rock, Navajo Nation—The White House Summit on COVID-19 Equity & What Works Showcase, held Nov. 16, featured organizations that provided direct relief during the pandemic and the methods they used to achieve equity.
White House COVID Coordinator Ashish K. Jha said that equity had to be an Read More
Former Colfax County Manager Pays New Mexico State Ethics Commission $500 Demand For GCA Violations
State Ethics Commission News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The State Ethics Commission announces that in response to a demand letter, former Colfax County Manager Mary Lou Kern paid the Commission a $500 fine—the amount statutorily available for two violations of Sections 10-16-8(B) and 10-16-8(D) of the Governmental Conduct Act—in exchange for the Commission’s agreement not to file a civil enforcement action against her.
As Colfax County Manager, Kern was personally and substantially involved in the County’s 2022 inmate medical services Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to provide inmate health services Read More
Energy Secretary Announces Decision To Revoke Security Clearance Of J. Robert Oppenheimer Finally Nullified
Holding the packet collected by the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee (JROMC) and delivered to U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office in 2016, from left, JROMC archivist Art Freed, Heinrich Senior Advisor Michael Sullivan, pursuing effort Subcommittee Chair Mary Louise Williams and JROMC Chair Cas Mason. Courtesy/JROMC
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm issued a statement Friday that announced that “pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of Energy to carry out the functions of the Atomic Energy Commission, Read More
New Mexico Unemployment Rate Hits 14-Year Low
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state Department of Workforce Solutions announced Friday that New Mexico’s unemployment rate has decreased to 4.1 percent, the lowest rate since June 2008.
“Our sustained investments in economic growth and workforce development have once-again brought New Mexico’s unemployment rate to a 14-year low,” Gov. Lujan Grisham. “As employment continues to increase and businesses continue to expand, New Mexico is now home to more business establishments than prior to the pandemic. And not only are we creating new jobs, but with record college Read More
