Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

County Councilors Schmidt And Robinson At Farmers Market To Chat With Community Thursday Morning

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 8, 2019

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Councilors Katrina Schmidt and James Robinson will be at the Farmer’s Market 9-11 a.m. Thursday, July 11 in the Mesa Public Library overflow lot.

Market-goers are invited to stop by their booth and chat with them about current issues, events and programs in Los Alamos County. Read More

House Approves Investments To Research, Test For, Battle Chronic Wasting Disease In Deer And Elk

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 7, 2019

TRCP News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― A House spending bill for federal agriculture, interior and environmental agencies (H.R. 3305) has passed with amendments that create new dedicated funding to research, test for, and battle chronic wasting disease, a fatal disease discovered in deer and elk populations across more than half the U.S.

Led by Representatives Veasey, Gosar, Kind, and Abraham, an amendment to the House’s Agriculture Appropriations bill will send $15 million to the states to combat the spread of chronic wasting disease in wild deer.

“Chronic wasting disease

Lujan Grisham Administration Provides Update On Prison Facility In Clayton

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 7, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― The administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is negotiating to oversee the management of the Northeast New Mexico Detention Facility in Clayton.

The New Mexico Corrections Department is working with the town of Clayton and the facility’s current operator, the GEO Group, to ensure a smooth and safe transition can occur.

“The negotiations have been productive and amicable. All parties share an emphasis on the need to maintain employment in Clayton and ensure safe conditions for both facility employees and

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, NM Partnership Team With Coach Jackson To Sell Land Of Enchantment To World

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 7, 2019

From left, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, Coach Greg Jackson and Tim Nitti teaming up to promote New Mexico tourism, businesses, brands and products Courtesy photo

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, the New Mexico Partnership, and Coach Greg Jackson’s New Mexico Experience are teaming up to promote New Mexico tourism, businesses, brands, and products at MMA events worldwide.

The New Mexico Experience was launched in early 2019 by Coach Greg Jackson, co-owner of the JacksonWink Academy in Albuquerque. The New Mexico Partnership is designated by the State of New

New Mexico Democratic Party Hires Miranda van Dijk As New Communications Director Ahead Of 2020 Election Cycle

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2019

Miranda van Dijk

NMDP News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Democratic Party Chairwoman Marg Elliston has announced that Miranda van Dijk will be joining the party as communications director ahead of the 2020 election cycle.

van Dijk most recently worked on Jacky Rosen’s successful campaign for U.S. Senate as deputy press secretary. Previously, she served as a press assistant for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer.

“As we look to build on the momentum of a historically successful 2018 cycle, we’re excited to welcome Miranda to the Democratic Party of New Mexico,”

New State Ethics Commission Sworn In

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, left, and House Speaker Brian Egolf, second from left, with other legislative leaders and New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura at the swearing-in Monday of the state’s new Ethics Commission. Courtesy photo

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, with New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura swearing-in the state’s new Ethics Commission. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham joined legislative leaders and New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith

CYFD Increasing Child Care Assistance Qualifications

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2019

CYFD News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department announced Wednesday that it will enact new regulations to increase the Child Care Assistance Program’s minimum qualifications for families to enter the program from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent.

“Universal child care assistance in New Mexico is my unconditional goal,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “So we will concern ourselves with coverage and access first and foremost. To settle for anything less would be a disservice to the families and children of this state.

Retired District Court Judge Sarah Singleton Has Died

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2019

Judge Sarah Singelton

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Retired First Judicial District Court Judge Sarah Singelton has died.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement today on her death:

“I am incredibly saddened to hear of Judge Sarah Singleton’s passing. Judge Singleton was a dedicated jurist and highly respected member of the community. The first New Mexico judge to rule in favor of marriage equality, she was committed to fairness, equity, and justice and leaves a legacy that will be remembered for many years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with Judge Singleton’s family and friends.” Read More

Former Councilor Pongratz Changes Political Party

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2019

Former Los Alamos County Councilor Morrie Pongratz switching his voter registration to Independent this morning at the County Clerk’s Office. Courtesy photo

POLITICAL News:

Former Los Alamos County Councilor Morrie Pongratz registered as an Independent this morning at the County Clerk’s Office.

“I changed my voter registration from Republican to Independent. My wife asked me why? I replied, ‘Two words: Donald Trump’,” Pongratz said.

“I like the Republicans’ philosophy of subsidiarity – look for solutions at the level of government close to the people, but I can’t support Read More

Tales Of Our Times: Recall Our Joshua Chamberlains In The Building Of Our Nation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2019

Tales of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water

Recall Our Joshua Chamberlains In The Building Of Our Nation

Every Fourth of July is a special day for recalling people of all walks who have moved our nation forward from the times of its origin to today.

The holiday known for its brass bands and fireworks is also time to weigh the grimmer work of patriotism. The words of our time grow less civil each year: Partisan vitriol smokes the air as would rifle shots at Gettysburg. History leaves clues.

The Civil War of 1861-1865 is rich with lessons for our time. Much can be learned Read More

Los Alamos Democratic Party Meets Monday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2019

LADP News:

The Los Alamos Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 8, in Room 631, Building 6 on the UNM-Los Alamos campus.

The meeting is open to the public.

Balderas Warns CFPB That Weakening Debit Card Overdraft Fee Rule Will Harm New Mexican Consumers

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2019

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas joined a coalition of 25 State Attorneys General Tuesday in opposing any effort by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to roll back or limit its Overdraft Rule.

The rule currently in place permits banks to charge fees to consumers for overdraft services on ATM and one-time debit transactions only after consumers have been provided with important information about those services and fees in a model notice, and only after those consumers have made the affirmative choice

Luján Raises $1.1 Million For U.S. Senate Campaign

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2019

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

NAMBE, NM ― Democratic Senate Candidate Ben Ray Luján raised more than $1.1 million in his first quarter – posting a higher total-raised figure for an announcement quarter than any other New Mexico Senate candidate in history.

Other highlights from the quarterly fundraising report include:

More than 13,000 unique donors supported Ben Ray’s campaign
The average online donation was $29.72
97.5 percent of all contributions were $100 or less
Contributions from individuals in each of New Mexico’s 33

Udall: Department Of Interior Failing To Answer Questions About President’s July 4 Event

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement Tuesday after the Department of Interior (DOI) failed to respond to a June 18 letter from Udall and U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) calling on DOI Secretary David Bernhardt to provide information to Congress about the president’s reported Fourth of July plans and how the additional costs will be funded.

The

Citizenship Question Removed From 2020 Census

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2019

CCP News:

Oriana Sandoval, CEO of the Center for Civic Policy (CCP), issued the following statement on the U.S. government’s decision to remove the citizenship question from the 2020 Census and begin printing the forms:

“Today marks a great victory for all those who fought so hard against this partisan ploy to weaponize the 2020 census and rig our democracy through the addition of a citizenship question to the Census form.

“Now we double down on the work to ensure a fair and accurate count in New Mexico. We remain particularly committed to ensuring that hard-to-count communities,

Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya Announces Run For 3rd Congressional District

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 2, 2019

Laura M. Montoya

From the Laura M. Montoya Campaign:

SANDOVAL COUNTY – Rio Rancho resident Laura M. Montoya, Democrat, announced her candidacy today for the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Los Alamos.

Montoya was elected Sandoval County Treasurer in 2012 and reelected in 2016 as one of the youngest elected officials in the state. She has served New Mexicans for more than 17 years, having worked in federal, state and county government.

Her career began as a constituent services representative for five counties in Northern New Mexico for U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman. She recently completed Read More

NMR&LD: Two Businessmen Guilty Of Securities Fraud

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 2, 2019

NMR&LD News:

SANTA FE ― New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent Marguerite Salazar announced Monday that Dain Leslie Schult of Austin, Texas and Joel McKay Hixon of Las Cruces have been found guilty of defrauding New Mexico investors in a Pyramid scheme that promised to use investors’ money to promote “mom and pop” radio stations on the internet.

Schult and Hixon were convicted of Fraud over $20,000, Securities Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, Sale of an Unregistered Security, and Sale of Security by an Unlicensed Agent.

“This verdict sends

NMEDD Helping New Mexico Businesses Go Global

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 2, 2019

NMEDD News:

SANTA FE ― New Mexico is recruiting small businesses who want to go global and attend upcoming trade shows.

From food and beverages to outdoor equipment and electronics, the New Mexico Economic Development Department has been successful in connecting small and medium-sized businesses with buyers in many countries in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa through organized international trade missions and participation in trade exhibitions.

There is more to come with four trade shows later in 2019 for companies who want to market their products

RCLC Hears Talk On Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 1, 2019

Members of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities (RCLC) gathered Thursday afternoon in Council Chambers at Española City Hall at 405 N. Paseo De Onate. From left, RCLC Executive Director Eric Vasquez, Española Mayor Javier Sanchez, Española City Councilor Peggy Sue Martinez, Chair Henry Roybal, Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz and Rio Arriba County Commissioner Leo Jaramillo. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Program Director Ed Mayer of Holtec International discusses a plan for a consolidated interim storage facility for nuclear fuel in southeast Read More

State Senate President Pro Tem, Majority Leader Issue Statement On Charges Against Sen. Martinez

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 1, 2019

SENATE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico State Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen and Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth today issued the following statement on charges issued against State Sen. Richard Martinez over the weekend:

“This is a difficult situation. Our immediate concern is for the well-being of everyone involved in the accident. Sen.

“Martinez is a valued member of our caucus and is entitled to the process afforded him under the law. DWI continues to be a very serious issue for our state. This is a developing matter and we have no further comment at this time.”

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