Scenes From Swearing In Ceremony For Elected Officials
State Representative for Dist. 43 Christine Chandler, center, is sworn into office by Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas while husband and newly elected County Assessor George Chandler looks on. The swearing in ceremony was held Thursday night in Council Chambers at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Magistrate Judge Catherine Taylor, left, is sworn into office Thursday night by Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Municipal Judge Elizabeth Allen receives her oath from her husband, Matthew Read More
Luján, Whitehouse, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation To Support Treatment Of Pregnant And Postpartum Women
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thursday, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act 2.0 to reauthorize residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women who have a substance use disorder.
This legislation will authorize funding to enhance comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services, recovery support services, and harm reduction interventions supported by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
“To best Read More
Heinrich, Luján Urge USDA To Prioritize Drought In Deploying Inflation Reduction Act Funds
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) are urging Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supports conservation practices that mitigate the impacts of drought while combatting climate change.
In a letter, the senators push the USDA to use their mandate from the Inflation Reduction Act to address drought-related issues, including enhancing groundwater recharge, reducing salinity, improving Read More
Heinrich Secures Major Wins For New Mexico Military Bases, National Labs, Defense Programs And Service Members
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) secured major wins in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) that support New Mexico’s men and women in uniform, military installations, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and job-creating initiatives throughout the state.
The Senate passed the NDAA today by a vote of 83 to 11. The legislation has passed both chambers of Congress with strong bipartisan support and now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“After serving over a decade on Armed Services Committees in the Read More
Stansbury Votes To Clean Up Government Contracting
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted Thursday to pass the bipartisan Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act to support the responsible use of taxpayer dollars and prevent federal contract awardees from gaming the system to benefit private client interests.
“New Mexicans should feel confident that their government spends taxpayer dollars for the public good—not to line the pockets of already successful corporations. The federal government’s reliance on contractors can create the potential for Read More
Video: Councilor Sara Scott Shares Final Meeting Highlights
Los Alamos County Councilor Sara Scott provides highlights from her final meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13 as her 4-year term comes to a close Dec. 31. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Council Decides To Address Golf Course Maintenance First
Citizens tour the Los Alamos County Golf Course in October as part of one of the meetings held to solicit feedback on proposed improvements to the golf course. During Tuesday night’s meeting, Council voted to prioritize maintenance as well as request bids for safety and maintenance needs. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
After years of work, Los Alamos County Council acted Tuesday night to improve the County’s golf course.
Council passed 5-1, with Councilor David Izraelevitz opposed and Councilor Keith Lepsch absent, Read More
Outgoing Councilors Sara Scott & David Izraelevitz Honored
Los Alamos County Councilors Sara Scott and David Izraelevitz completed their final meeting Tuesday night. To honor their work and service, council presented them with Nambe plaques. Scott served one 4-year term on council while Izraelevitz served two terms as well as a portion of another term left vacant by a former councilor. Photo by Anne Laurent/LAC Read More
Rep. Stansbury Calls For Passage Of FY23 Budget – Votes To Prevent Government Shutdown
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) released the following statement Wednesday after voting to pass a Continuing Resolution. The resolution will keep the U.S. federal government open until Dec. 23, 2022 as budget negotiations continue:
“Tonight, we voted for a Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government operational in the coming days as we continue to fight for and negotiate budget that funds our communities’ priorities. That means passing a comprehensive budget for Fiscal Year 2023 that invests in the well-being Read More
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Awards Lease For Second Albuquerque Senior Affordable Housing Community
State Land Office News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard announced Wednesday that the State Land Office is awarding a lease to Farolito Apartments LLLP to construct a new affordable housing community for Albuquerque’s seniors on state land near Eubank and Central.
Sealed bid envelopes were opened at a public auction at the State Land Office Wednesday morning, and Farolito Apartments LLLP submitted the winning bid and met all application requirements.
The lessee will pay approximately $2 million in rent payments over the 60-year, long-term lease. Read More
Op-Ed: It Has Been An Electrifying Year – Advancing Policies In Congress To Accelerate Electrification
By U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich & Tina Smith
U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko & Kathy Castor
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an op-ed published by The Hill, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), the founders and co-chairs of the bicameral Electrification Caucus, describe how they have advanced policies in Congress to accelerate widespread electrification, which will cut costs for Americans, improve public health, create jobs and tackle the climate crisis.
NMDOT Requests $889 Million For FY24 Budget
Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is presenting its final FY24 budget request to the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) at the state capitol.
The department is making a case for a one-time additional General Fund appropriation of $889.7 million to support road infrastructure investments.
“The funds will create jobs, strengthen our economy, and address needed investments in our roads, railways and bridges,” NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said. “The additional funds will allow the department to tackle Read More
Governor Lujan Grisham Appoints Wayne Propst Cabinet Secretary Of Department Of Finance And Administration
Newly appointed DFA Secretary Wayne Propst
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday announced the appointment of Wayne Propst as secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). Propst will assume leadership of the department at the start of January following Secretary Deborah Romero’s retirement from state government at the end of the year.
“Wayne is an effective leader whose strong financial background and years of experience in government will be instrumental in continuing our work to deliver for New Mexicans,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “He understands Read More
Video: Councilor Izraelevitz Discusses Dec. 6 Meeting
Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz shares a briefing last Tuesday night’s council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Canceled: Dec. 28 County P&Z Commission Meeting
COUNTY News:
The scheduled Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of Dec. 28 is canceled.
The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2023. Read More
New Mexico General Fund Revenues Grew By 19.7 Percent In FY 22, Expected To Remain Strong
Finance and Administration Secretary Debbie Romero
DFA News:
SANTA FE — State General Fund revenues in FY 22 grew by 19.7% to $9.7 billion and are expected to grow to $10.7 billion (11.4% growth) in FY 23 and $12 billion (11.3%) in FY24, according to the latest forecast from the state’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Group.
The FY 22 actuals ended at $3.23 billion – 43.3% of recurring appropriations. The forecast estimates General Fund reserves at more than $5 billion for the current fiscal year – 60.5% of current spending – not accounting any FY 23 appropriations that may be made in the upcoming Read More
Deadline Extended For Second Judicial District Attorney
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Monday announced that the deadline for applications to fill the upcoming vacancy for the Second Judicial District Attorney has been extended.
Applications will be received through Dec. 23, 2022. Minimum qualifications include a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and seven years of experience in the practice of law.
Candidates shall have been a resident of New Mexico for three years prior to their election and shall be a resident of the district.
The application form may be downloaded from the Office of Read More
In Major Win For New Mexico Economy & Service Members, Rep. Stansbury Helps Secure Over $9 Million To Establish And Expand Command Offices At Kirtland In Defense Bill
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In support of New Mexico’s economy, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) Thursday, helped secure more than $9 million in funding to establish and expand command offices at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB).
This funding, included as part of the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act, also includes a 4.6 percent pay raise for service members, $22.8 million in new funding for KAFB, and $600,000 for the New Mexico Army National Guard.
The $9.1 million secured by Rep. Stansbury in project funding will help build new headquarter facilities Read More
EM-LA Engages With Stakeholders During Presentation To Shape Strategic Vision For Remaining Legacy Cleanup
Environmental Management-Los Alamos (EM-LA) Field Office Manager Michael Mikolanis discusses the process being taken to develop a strategic vision for EM-LA’s legacy cleanup during his presentation Thursday afternoon at Longenecker and Associates office on Central Avenue. One of the objectives, he said, is to develop a realistic and stakeholder-informed vision document for remaining Los Alamos National Laboratory legacy cleanup to assist Department of Energy in prioritization. To shape this vision, EM-LA is engaging stakeholders and Pueblos to shape the direction and completion Read More
Governor: Remaining $8.5 Million In New Mexico Law Enforcement Recruitment Fund Awarded Among 39 Agencies
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday that the remaining $8.5 million from the Law Enforcement Recruitment Fund has been awarded to 39 law enforcement entities in communities around the state.
The funding caps off a $50 million investment by the governor in the last legislative session to provide resources to law enforcement to recruit and retain law enforcement officers.
“We know that law enforcement agencies around the state need additional officers and lack the local resources to do so,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “This much-needed funding is bridging that Read More
