Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Gessing: Serious Questions On Free College Proposal

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 1, 2019

By PAUL J. GESSING

Rio Grande Foundation

Gov. Lujan Grisham has put forth a plan (set for debate and possible approval in the 2020 Legislature) for “free” college for New Mexico residents.

For many families this may seem like an unadulterated good thing. And, as the parent of three who is pondering (and already saving for) the college educations of his three children, I totally understand that reaction.

But, from the viewpoint of an economist or even someone who is simply concerned about New Mexico’s future, there are several serious problems with this proposal.

Currently,

Pongratz: Fair’s Fair

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 30, 2019

By MORRIS PONGRATZ

LAPS Board Candidate

District 3 (Aspen)

During my first term on the school board we formed a committee to assess the condition of the LAPS properties.

The Facilities Strategic Planning Committee consisted of local and LANL experts including Steve Girrens, Larry Goen and Grant Stewart, among others. They recommended seeking bond funds to upgrade school properties.

Subsequent voter approval of this suggestion led to improvements at LAHS, LAMS, Aspen, and Barranca schools. Promises made, promises kept!

Now it is White Rock’s turn, time to improve the White Read More

LAPS Board Candidate Hosts ‘Sit & Meet’ Tuesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 30, 2019

Christine Bernstein

POLITICAL News:

Christine Bernstein, a teacher at Pojoaque High School and Los Alamos resident running for School Board in Dist. 3 (Aspen) is hosting a “sit & meet” with residents 2-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Starbucks on Central Ave.

The community is invited to join Bernstein and get answers to questions and concerns about LAPS and find out more about her unique teacher approach to facilitate Board decisions for 21st Century students.

AG Balderas Files Brief In U.S. Supreme Court To Preserve DACA And Protect DREAMers

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 30, 2019

Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of Attorney General Hector Balderas:

ALBUQUERQUE – Attorney General Hector Balderas, joining a coalition of 16 attorneys general, announced today the filing of a brief in the United States Supreme Court in the coalition’s ongoing lawsuit to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

The lawsuit, originally filed in September 2017 and to be heard by the Supreme Court this fall, argues that the Trump Administration’s attempt to revoke DACA was based on a faulty legal analysis and harmed State residents, institutions, and economies. Read More

Letter Of Recommendation For Morris Pongratz

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 30, 2019

Kristen Haertling in her senior year at Los Alamos High School with her Key Club mentor Morrie Pongratz. Courtesy photo

By KRISTEN HAERTLING
Los Alamos Public Schools Alumna

It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Morris Pongratz for a position on the School Board of Los Alamos Public Schools.

I knew Morrie as a Key Club mentor back in high school. He inspired, engaged, and worked with Los Alamos students including myself in many different ways. He has volunteered at the Foster Children’s Christmas Party in Española, helped at Relay for Life at Ashley Pond, and introduced Read More

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Leads Discussion With Interfaith Leaders On Democracy Reform Efforts

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 29, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) convenes a Faithful Democracy Coalition 2020 discussion with interfaith leaders. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) convened a Faithful Democracy Coalition 2020 discussion with interfaith leaders to discuss democracy reform efforts like Udall’s For the People Act, and how such reforms affect issues important to faith communities like social and economic justice, climate change and immigration.

Udall was joined by Imam Talib Shareef, President and Imam of the historic Masjid Muhammad, Rabbi

New Mexico Delegation Announces $3 Million Grant For Youth Behavioral Health

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 29, 2019

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a $3,000,000 grant to New Mexico’s Children, Youth, and Families Department’s Behavioral Health Services (CYFD BHS).

The CYFD BHS will use this grant to expand the existing infrastructure and capacity of the statewide behavioral health service system for children and

Udall Secures Strong Investments For New Mexico In Major Interior & Environment Funding Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 28, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M), lead Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, advanced major funding Tursday for New Mexico’s public lands, infrastructure, environmental protection and stewardship, and programs for Indian Country as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

The billed passed the committee and will now head to the full Senate.

“This bipartisan bill – which makes key investments to benefit

Delegation Calls On Forest Service To Act Swiftly To Allow New Mexicans To Resume Use Of National Forests

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 28, 2019

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small, wrote to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Vicki Christiansen Friday pressing the agency to take immediate action to comply with the law and allow the resumption of traditional forest activities on national forests in New Mexico.

“We write regarding the reported impacts of the recent pause of several forest activities on national forests in New Mexico as a result of the District Court of Arizona’s decision that the U.S. Forest

Burnside: Why I Recommend Morrie Pongratz

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 28, 2019

By MELINA BURNSIDE

New Mexico State University

I am honored to recommend Morrie Pongratz to be on the (Los Alamos) School Board.

I had the opportunity and privilege of working with Morrie for several years, and was constantly inspired by his enthusiasm to serve the community.

Although I likely met Morrie at Breakfast with Santa when I was a young child, I really began to get to know him when I became involved with Key Club and the United Way Youth Team while attending Los Alamos High School. He helped me put on my first fundraisers, was the emcee at my high school sports games, never

RSF: Citizen-Journalist Ilham Tohti Serving Life Imprisonment Nominated For Top Human Rights Award

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 28, 2019

Citizen-journalist Ilham Tohti, serving a life sentence in China, is nominated for the Council of Europe’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. Courtesy/RSF

RSF News:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) praises the nomination of Uyghur citizen-journalist Ilham Tohti, serving a life sentence in China, for the Council of Europe’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize.

Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur citizen-journalist and academic currently serving a life sentence in China, is among the nominees for the Council of Europe’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. The winner will be announced Monday,

Council: October Is ‘The People’s Eco Challenge Month’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 27, 2019

At the Tuesday night council meeting, Councilor James Robinson, left, presents Environmental Services Division Senior Office Specialist Joshua Levings with a proclamation declaring October ‘The People’s Eco Challenge Month’. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Council presented a proclamation, which declares October “The People’s Eco Challenge Month,” during its Tuesday night regular meeting.

Councilor James Robinson presented the proclamation, which reads:

WHEREAS: The Los Alamos County Green Read More

Governor Orders Flags To Half Staff Immediately In Recognition Of Sen. Carlos Cisneros Lying In State

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 27, 2019

STATE News:

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered all flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Sen. Carlos Cisneros through sundown today, beginning immediately, in recognition of his lying in state.

Sen. Cisneros passed away Sept. 17. He is being remembered today for his life and honored for his service to the state at a memorial service in the State Capitol Building.

Details:

State Capitol Building.

Friday, Sept. 27
Noon – 4:30 p.m.
Sen. Cisneros to lie in state

State Capitol Rotunda

1:30 p.m.
Memorial Service
Capitol Rotunda

Saturday, Sept. 28

5 p.m.
Church Service

Land Office Increases Collections 47 Percent Over 2018

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 27, 2019

New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard

State Land Office News:

SANTA FE ― So far in 2019, the State Land Office has collected more than $1.5 million from royalty audits, a 47 percent increase from 2018.

These funds were collected by the Royalty Management Division team after audits were conducted on Land Office business with Chevron, DCP Midstream, Marbob Energy, Dugan Production and Energen Resources.

The additional $1.5 million from 2019 royalty audits will add to the corpus of the Land Grant Permanent Fund, which funds public schools, universities

Letter To The Editor: Thanks For Plame Meet & Greet

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 26, 2019

By Host of Valerie Plame Meet and Greet:

During a very busy Thursday evening in Los Alamos last week, more than 140 enthusiastic guests joined us for a Meet and Greet for Valerie Plame, candidate for US Congress New Mexico District 3.

Thanks to Pueblo Canyon Inn for hosting the venue, thank you to the news reporters who covered the event and especially many thanks to each of our guests who participated in the democratic process of learning about and hearing from Valerie Plame.

With Gratitude,

Karyl Ann & Kenneth Armbruster
Ann Beyer
Tom Csanadi
Anagha

Los Alamos LWV Voters Candidate Forum Oct. 3

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 26, 2019

League of Women Voters News:

The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos will hold a candidate forum 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at UNM-LA in the Lecture Hall in Building.

Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. The league invited candidates for both the Los Alamos School Board and UNM-LA Advisory Board.

LAPS Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus will explain the school bond question at this event.

School Board Candidates:

Position 3 (District 3 Aspen Elementary): Morrie Pongratz, Christine Bernstein;
Position 4 (District 4 Barranca Elementary & Middle School): Julia Baker, Melanie Colgan;

Scenes From Meet & Greet Held For Congressional Candidate Teresa Leger Fernandez Sunday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 26, 2019

Third Congressional District Democratic candidate Teresa Leger Fernandez, center, greets guests arriving for her Meet & Greet hosted Sunday by Pat Soran and his wife Ann Hayes at their home on Los Pueblos. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Pat Soran, left, and Congressional candidate Teresa Leger Fernandez welcome Valley Daily Post Publisher James Mountain to their Meet & Greet hosted Sunday by Soran and his wife Ann Hayes at their home. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Leslie Hayes, left, and her mother Ann Hayes, center, introduce Congressional candidate Teresa Read More

Udall, Collins Secure Federal Action To Address Lunch Shaming In Agriculture Funding Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 26, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have secured report language within the Fiscal Year 2020 Department of Agriculture funding bill directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take action to curb the practice of lunch shaming.

The language directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide additional guidance to program operators to address the ongoing issue of shaming school children for unpaid school lunch fees.

Under the provision, schools would be encouraged to identify approaches that protect

Governor Commits New Mexico To Bold Clean Car Standards At Climate Week Event In NYC

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 25, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

NEW YORK, NY ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday announced that New Mexico will be proposing, adopting and implementing clean car standards, standing shoulder to shoulder with states demonstrating environmental leadership across the country.

The governor made the announcement at Climate Week in New York City, joining other U.S. governors on a panel to discuss states advancing ambitious climate action in the face of federal inaction.

While highlighting the bold and forward-thinking actions New Mexico is taking to

Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office Registers Voters

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 25, 2019

Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office staff from left, Election Manager Gloria Maestas, County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Deputy Clerk Victoria Martinez and Chief Deputy Clerk Adrianna Ortiz encourage the public to register to vote Tuesday in the Municipal Building as part of National Voter Registration Day. Ortiz said that 40 people registered to vote Tuesday alone and 20 of those individuals were from Los Alamos High School. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More

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