Ceballos: Pending D.C. Legislation Jeopardizes Affordable Banking Options In New Mexico
By JUAN FERNANDEZ CEBALLOS
CEO
Credit Union Association of New Mexico
In New Mexico, we care about community. We look out for our neighbors and come together to support one another. That spirit of community is what brought like-minded community members together to establish the 40 credit unions that serve one million New Mexicans everyday—from providing a mortgage for their first home to cashing their hard-earned paycheck.
Credit unions are part of the communities they serve. They know their members by name. And, as democratically governed financial cooperatives owned by their members Read More
School Board Accepting Applications For District 5 Vacancy
Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos School Board is in search of a person to fill the vacancy left on the board with the departure of member Erin Green who represents District 5.
Green cited personal reasons for her resignation from the School Board, saying she is “deeply sad” to be leaving the School Board but that it is something she needs to do for herself and her family at this time.
The School Board begins accepting applications today, Nov. 29, through Friday, Dec. 16. The School Board would like to make a final decision at the Jan. 10, 2023 School Board meeting. The term will run through Dec. Read More
New Mexico Counties Task Force Releases Final Report
NMC News:
SANTA FE — Concluding eight months of work, the multi-agency task force looking into unification of New Mexico’s jail and prison systems will release its findings Tuesday before the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee.
In February, the New Mexico legislature passed Senate Memorial 6 (SM6) and House Memorial 11 (HM11), both of which called for an evaluation of the costs, benefits, and feasibility of unifying jail and prison systems. The legislation requested the New Mexico Association of Counties (NMC) to convene a task force including members of NMC, New Mexico Corrections Read More
New Mexico Governor’s Office Accepting Applications For Second Judicial District Attorney
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday announced that it is accepting applications to fill the upcoming vacancy for the Second Judicial District Attorney.
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 the Governor website here.
Applications may be sent Read More
Gessing: Questions For New Mexico’s Blue Majority And Red Minority
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
This Election Day a majority of New Mexico voters seemingly ignored the State’s manifest failures of governance. Instead, voters prioritized abortion rights while penalizing anyone who could plausibly be painted as “election deniers.”
Thus, New Mexico, one of America’s “bluest” states for decades, became even more Democrat dominant. Democrats now control every office of significance in State government as well as all five seats in Congress.
Whether the results are a sign of satisfaction with the status quo or just animus towards Republicans, Read More
NMTD: Eleven Distinguished Individuals Honored As 2022 New Mexico True Heroes
NMTD News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Magazine teamed up with KOB 4 and the New Mexico Department of Health Nov. 17 to spotlight the 2022 class of the New Mexico True Heroes through a special YouTube Premier Live broadcast.
The event spotlighted 11 exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves over the past year by going above and beyond to serve local communities in the areas of healthcare, education, volunteerism, philanthropy, arts, culture and more.
2022 New Mexico True Heroes:
- Elizabeth “Liz” Bradford
Elementary School Teacher
La Mesa Elementary School
An Albuquerque elementary
USDA Partners To Create Thriving, Livable Communities To Attract People And Jobs To Rural Areas And Tribal Nations
Secretary Xochitl Torres Small
USDA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is awarding $4 million in cooperative agreements to 17 organizations under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC).
Placemaking is a collaborative planning and technical assistance process that helps leaders from rural communities create quality places where people will want to live, work, visit and learn.
The assistance will help the organizations support people who have been unserved or underserved Read More
Luján, New Mexico Delegation Introduce Legislation To Protect Chaco Canyon
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Reps Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
This legislation will prevent future leasing and development of oil, gas, and minerals on federal lands that are located within a 10-mile buffer zone around the park. This proposed Chaco Protection Zone will preserve the ancestral sites and Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, Colleagues Call For Postal Service To Ramp Up Efforts To Electrify The Mail Delivery Fleet
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, joined a group of Democratic Senators in a letter urging the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to use Inflation Reduction Act funding to increase vehicle electrification commitments and support workers.
In a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the USPS Board of Governors Chair Roman Martinez, the senators call for USPS to dramatically increase mail delivery fleet electrification efforts, including the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), an effort that would Read More
LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum: NMSBA Convention
LAPS New:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) announces that members of the Los Alamos School Board may attend the New Mexico School Board (NMSBA) Annual Convention Dec. 1-3, 2022, at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque.
A Quorum may be present; however, no action will be taken. Read More
2020 Teacher Of The Year Mandi Torrez Joins Think New Mexico As Education Reform Director
Education Reform Director Mandi Torrez
From Think New Mexico:
New Mexico 2020 Teacher of the Year Mandi Torrez is the new Education Reform Director at Think New Mexico.
Torrez has a decade of experience teaching third and fourth grade in the Bernalillo Public Schools and also was recognized as that district’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Torrez holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Integrated Elementary and Special Education. Before becoming a teacher, she worked at the Farmington Daily Times as the News Editor and as Copy Editor.
Prior to joining Think New Mexico, Torrez Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Announces $20 Million In Awards For Housing Stability
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Monday announced more than $20 million in awards to 41 organizations throughout New Mexico.
These awards will help provide housing stability services for at-risk communities and to help renters navigate housing obstacles in New Mexico. These grants were made available through the New Mexico Home Fund, formerly known as the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
“Our efforts to address housing and homelessness must run the
Rep. Melanie Stansbury Tours Seligman Teen Center Site
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury stands with youth during her tour Tuesday of the Seligman Teen Center construction site. Courtesy photo
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury meeting with teens Tuesday to discuss youth development programs as she toured the construction site of the new Seligman Teen Center. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) met with local teens Tuesday to discuss youth development programs as she toured the construction site of the new Seligman Teen Center. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico is remodeling the Seligman Teen Center, Read More
Governor Concludes U.N. Climate Conference In Egypt
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has concluded a successful itinerary at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference known as COP27, representing New Mexico on the world stage alongside international climate leaders.
The governor participated in discussions with U.S. leadership including White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
“We’re never done learning from the state of New Mexico,” National Climate Advisor Zaidi said during a panel Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Bills To Approve Water Rights Settlements For Four Pueblos Receives Key Hearing
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) bills to approve the water rights claims of the Pueblos of Acoma, Jemez, Laguna and Zia are gaining momentum as both were featured during a recent legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Heinrich delivered remarks in support of his bills.
VIDEO: Heinrich Delivers Remarks In Support Bills To Approve Water Rights Settlements For Four Pueblos [HD DOWNLOAD LINK HERE]
During the hearing, Sen. Heinrich expressed to the committee that “for more than a century, the United Read More
Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office Announces 2022 General Election Results Are Official
Canvass attendees clockwise from left, Canvass Board Member Heath Davis, Board Member Betty Ann Gunther, Board Member Jolyn McTeigue, County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Elections Manager Victoria Martinez, Board Member James Rickman and Board Member Cameron Counters. Photo by Senior Deputy Clerk Victoria Montoya.
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County (LAC) Clerk’s Office has completed the required canvass process to certify and finalize the results of the 2022 General Election, held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The Canvass Board met 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 in the Municipal Building. The Canvass Board consisted Read More
County Council To Hold Special Session Nov. 30
Luján, Menendez, Cárdenas Lead Colleagues Urging Twitter To Maintain Protections For Spanish Speaking Communities
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and U.S. Reps Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) wrote to Twitter CEO Elon Musk to urge the company to reverse cuts that expose Spanish speakers to fraud and abuse.
This follows an alarming spike in harassment on the platform, and reports that Twitter has fired a large majority of its contractors working domestically and abroad to detect Read More
Governor: $20 Million In Awards For Housing Stability
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Monday announced more than $20 million in awards to 41 organizations throughout New Mexico to help provide housing stability services for at-risk communities and to help renters navigate housing obstacles in New Mexico.
These grants were made available through the New Mexico Home Fund, formerly known as the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
“Our efforts to address housing and homelessness must run the gamut, focusing not only on helping New Mexicans find an affordable Read More
DFA Secretary Deborah Romero To Retire After Nearly 50 Years Of Service In State Government
DFA Secretary Deborah Romero
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday that Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Secretary Deborah Romero will retire at the end of the year after serving 48 years in New Mexico state government.
Romero has led the DFA since 2020, previously serving as DFA Deputy Secretary and director of the department’s state budget division.
A career public servant in New Mexico state government, Romero has worked for nine different gubernatorial administrations and participated in more than 40 legislative Read More
