Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Letter To The Editor: Response To Councilor Izraelevitz

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 27, 2019

By BILL MCKERLEY

Los Alamos

In an article penned by Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz on July 18, 2019, link, he talked about bubbling test tubes and Galileo, then leaped to declare, with no facts to support his accusation, that our President is racist.

According to Merriam Webster, racism is defined as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), also known as AOC, accused Nancy Pelosi of being a racist. AOC is another accuser who

Los Alamos GOP To Raffle Rifle At Concert Tonight

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 27, 2019

The community is invited to purchase a Bitter Clinger’s rifle raffle ticket at the Republican Party of Los Alamos booth tonight at the Secret City Summer Concert at Ashley Pond Park. ‘We will be here until 8 p.m. Come celebrate God, Guns and the GOP!’ Courtesy/GOP Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce $2 Million To New Mexico Small Businesses To Support Scientific Innovation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2019

Courtesy image

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that two New Mexico businesses were awarded $2,100,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) to support research and development and advance innovation.

Mesa Photonics LLC and Woodruff Scientific Inc., both based in Santa Fe, were awarded $1,100,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. The funding will allow Mesa Photonics to develop high precision instruments Read More

Governor Appoints Five To State Finance Authority

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed five new members today to the New Mexico Finance Authority.

The governor appointed Katherine Miller, Leslie Nathanson Juris, David Martinez, Martin Suazo and Andrew Burke. The governor appointed Miller as chairwoman.

Other members of the authority are the secretaries of Finance and Administration; Economic Development; Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources; Environment; the executive director of the Municipal League; and the executive director of the New Mexico Association of Counties.

Katherine Read More

Haaland Introduces Bill To Bolster Efforts To Address Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2019

U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) introduced a bill Thursday to bolster efforts to address the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis with bipartisan support from Paul Cook (R-Calif.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Sharice Davids (D-Kan.).

The Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act, H.R. 3977, restores inherent tribal criminal jurisdiction to prosecute domestic violence-related crimes committed against American Indian and Alaskan Native women by non-tribal members

Udall, Murphy Introduce Bill To Help Beginning Farmers Pay Student Loan Debt

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As the U.S. Congress begins debate on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act, to create a loan forgiveness program for beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as other groups such as women, veterans, and minority farmers.

Student loan debt is a major hurdle for beginning farmers and this legislation will serve as an incentive for farmers to enter—and stay—in the agricultural industry, and

New Mexico Governor Orders Flags To Half Staff To Honor Roswell Firefighter Jeff Stroble

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered state flags to half staff Friday, July 26, in honor of the memory of Jeff Stroble, 46, the Roswell firefighter who died Sunday, July 21.

Stroble, a 17-year veteran of the department, sustained injuries in the line of duty stemming from an explosion June 5 that occurred while members of the Roswell Fire Department were preparing for the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

“My heart is broken for Jeff Stroble’s family and the people in Roswell who knew him well,” Gov. Lujan Grisham

Senators Udall, Heinrich Lead Democratic Policy And Communications Committee Hearing On Mistreatment Of Children At The Border

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In face of the Senate Republicans’ refusal to hold a hearing on conditions at the southern border, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in leading a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) hearing Tuesday entitled “America Speaks Out: Stop Trump’s Cruel Treatment of Children at the Border.”

During the hearing, the senators heard testimony from a range of medical and legal experts on the Trump administration’s

CIR Ambassador Roundtable In Santa Fe Addresses State Of The State Department At Luncheon Aug. 9

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

SFCIR News:

The Santa Fe Council on International Relations is hosting an event at 11:30 a.m., Aug. 9 at the Estancia Primera Clubhouse, 450 Avenida Primera South in Santa Fe.

The event includes lunch and a panel discussion to hear Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, Ambassador Mark Asquino and Ambassador Pat Hawkins discuss the current status of the State Department under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

What comes next with Iran? With North Korea? With Venezuela? What are the effects of “foreign policy by tweet”? Has Secretary Pompeo restored morale at State? What is the status of treaties, trade

Balderas Urges FDA To Partner With States To Protect New Mexican Consumers Of Cannabis-Derived Products

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas joins a coalition of 37 bipartisan State Attorneys General urging federal cooperation with the states to protect consumers from false advertising and harms to their health from products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD).

In a public comment filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the AGs highlight the need for research into the risks and potential benefits of cannabinoid products to inform consumers and assist in state-level

Ahead Of Mueller Testimony, Udall Calls For Senate Action To Secure Elections

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Ahead of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) Tuesda, lead Senate sponsor of the For The People Act, called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans to stop standing in the way of critical efforts to secure our elections and prevent foreign interference before the 2020 elections:

“Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation found with the utmost certainty that Russia, a foreign adversary,

Heinrich Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Protect Native American Seeds And Traditional Foods

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), U.S. Assistant House Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Don Young (R-Alaska), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) announced Tuesday the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2019.

The purpose of the Native American Seeds Protection Act is to clearly identify ways to protect Native American seeds and traditional food products,

Letter To The Editor: Crossing The Line?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2019

By AARON WALKER

Los Alamos

I had the opportunity to read the article Councilor Izraelevitz wrote for the Los Alamos Daily Post.

This wasn’t a letter to the editor, but a full blown article on the front page of the print newspaper as well as posted online. In this letter, he used 3/4 of it to talk about his recent experiences in Los Alamos and Santa Fe. It was all rather innocuous until you got to the last little bit. He ended the article with “the president is a racist”.

This was shocking to me. First of all, this wasn’t a county councilor voicing his own personal opinion in a letter

Balderas Leads $600M Multi-State Settlement With Equifax In Largest Data Breach Settlement In History

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2019

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

Settlement includes up to $425 million in consumer restitution following investigation into 2017 data breach

ALBUQUERQUE — Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced that a coalition of 50 Attorneys General has reached a settlement with Equifax as the result of its massive 2017 data breach.

The Attorneys General investigation found that Equifax’s failure to maintain a reasonable security system enabled hackers to penetrate its systems, exposing the data of more than half of all American adults—the largest-ever breach of consumer

New Mexico Public Education Secretary Removed

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2019

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Secretary Karen Trujillo was removed Monday from her role at the Public Education Department.

The Lujan Grisham administration has begun a nationwide search. Deputy Public Education Secretary Kara Bobroff will serve as interim secretary.

“I want to thank Karen for her work these recent months,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “Unfortunately my expectations were not met in a number of areas. It is absolutely imperative that we genuinely transform public education in this state.

“We must identify a vibrant and ambitious new Read More

SOS Maggie Toulouse Oliver Announces Completion Of Legislatively-Mandated, One-Time District Realignment For Elected Offices

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2019

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Monday, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and her staff completed the legislatively-mandated, one-time realignment of certain elected office districts throughout New Mexico in a public meeting that took place in the state capitol building in Santa Fe and was live-streamed on the Legislature’s website.

“The process we used to complete the legislatively-mandated realignment of districts today was transparent and fair and we made sure it affected the smallest number of districts and terms possible,”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Appoints Shannon Pinto To Late Grandfather’s New Mexico Senate Seat

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2019

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Shannon Pinto to the Senate seat left vacant after the May death of her grandfather, Navajo Code Talker and New Mexico icon Sen. John Pinto.

Sen. Pinto will serve the remainder of her grandfather’s term in Senate District 3. She was nominated to fill the vacancy by the San Juan County Commission.

Pinto, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is an educator, having worked as both a middle school and high school math teacher in Tohatchi, N.M. She earned an associate’s degree in business administration from the

Gutierrez Named New Mexico MainStreet Director

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 22, 2019

New Mexico MainStreet Daniel J. Gutierrez

NMEDD News:

SANTA FE – Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes has named Daniel J. Gutierrez, a cultural anthropologist who has been working in economic development for over a decade, as director of the New Mexico MainStreet program.

Gutierrez has been involved in New Mexico MainStreet since 2014 and worked closely with Rich Williams, the former program director who retired in April. Gutierrez now assumes the responsibilities permanently.

“Daniel brings a passion for community building to the MainStreet program,” said Cabinet Read More

Congress Moves To Permanently Protect Two National Treasures From Uranium, Oil, Gas Development

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 22, 2019

NWF News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress has taken an important step toward permanently protecting two national treasures in the American West.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, which will withdraw a million acres from future mining of uranium and minerals around the Grand Canyon.

It also passed H.R. 2181, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, which protects Chaco Canyon from oil and gas development.

“These bills will protect wildlife in two of the country’s most cherished landscapes.

Following House Passage, Heinrich And Rounds Urge Swift Senate Action To Permanently Repeal Cadillac Tax

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 22, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), the bipartisan leads of Senate legislation to permanently repeal the ‘Cadillac Tax,’ applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of the measure.

They also called on the Senate to quickly take up their bill so it can be signed into law.

“Eliminating this onerous tax on employees’ health coverage will protect important benefits for workers and ensure that businesses and families get a fair deal,” Heinrich said. “I look forward to working with Senate Leadership

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