Secretary Toulouse Oliver Releases Two Draft Rules On Runoff Elections; Announces Statewide Public Input
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 25, 2019
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
From the Office of the Secretary of State:
All New Mexicans invited to provide public comment, participate in public hearings
SANTA FE – Today, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released two draft rules concerning runoff elections and how ballot questions will appear on the ballot, and announced public hearings in three New Mexico cities to gather community input.
The two new rules were mandated by the passage of House Bill 407 during the 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session.
“These rules will give clarity and guidance to important Read More
Udall, Heinrich Secure $30 Million In Reimbursement For Border Communities & Organizations Providing Humanitarian Relief To Asylum Seekers
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 25, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced Wednesday that the Senate agreement on border humanitarian assistance includes $30 million in reimbursement funds for localities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in New Mexico and elsewhere that are providing much-needed humanitarian relief to asylum seekers.
In May, the full New Mexico delegation – Udall and Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Xochitl Torres Small, and Deb Haaland – wrote to the leadership of the Senate and House Appropriations
Read More New Mexico Congressional Delegation Announces $2.5 Million To UNM To Research Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Factors Among Native Americans
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 25, 2019
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small announced Monday that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded approximately $2.5 million over five years to the University of New Mexico (UNM) Health Sciences Center to research chronic kidney disease risk factors among Native Americans in the southwestern United States.
The funding, which was championed by the New Mexico delegation, will enable UNM to conduct a study to identify risk factors associated
Read More CVNM Statement On NMOGA Methane Rule Proposal
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 25, 2019
CVNM News:SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) released their proposal Monday for implementing a Methane Capture Rule.
The goal of a Methane Capture Rule is to reduce the significant amount of methane that is leaked, vented and flared in New Mexico. In response to NMOGA’s proposal, Conservation Voters New Mexico Political & Legislative Director Ben Shelton released the following statement:
“Despite the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s presentation as a collaborative partner in reducing methane pollution, the proposal rule they released
Read More State Surplus Offers Vehicles For Public Sale
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 25, 2019
STATE News:SANTA FE ― About three dozen motor vehicles will be available for purchase Thursday during the monthly public sale at the state surplus property warehouse in Santa Fe.
Other merchandise for sale to the public includes used furniture and electronics, as well as knives and other items surrendered to the federal Transportation Security Administration.
The warehouse of the Surplus Property Bureau is at 1990 Siringo Road. It will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.
The vehicles expected to be available for public sale include sedans, vans, SUVs
Read More U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Amendment To NDAA To Protect Elections From Foreign Interference
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 25, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee, cosponsored an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help protect our elections from foreign interference by requiring candidates, campaign officials and their family members to notify law enforcement if offered illegal assistance by a foreign national.
The NDAA is being debated on the Senate floor.
“Protecting our elections
Read More Governor Announces Ethics Commission Chair
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 24, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamFrom the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced her sole nominee to the state Ethics Commission, who will serve as the commission’s chair, per state statute.
The Hon. William F. Lang is a well-respected jurist who worked in New Mexico law for nearly 40 years and continues to serve the community. He served three years as a Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judge, including a stint as Chief Judge, before serving as a District Court Judge for fifteen years, including five years as Chief Judge.
Before his time in the
Read More Udall, Heinrich Propose Amendments To Protect And Strengthen Nuclear Safety Board Oversight Mission In Major Defense Bill
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 24, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have proposed three amendments to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a major defense policy bill, to protect and strengthen the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s (DNFSB) critical safety oversight mission at New Mexico’s Department of Energy (DOE) facilities.
The amendments filed by the senators to the NDAA would help ensure that the DNFSB continues to provide strong oversight to protect public health and safety, including the workers at New Mexico’s national
Read More Aging & Long-Term Services Secretary Appoints New State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 24, 2019
NMALTS News:SANTA FE ― Aging & Long-Term Services Secretary Alice Liu McCoy has announced the appointment of Linnea Forsythe as New Mexico’s state long-term care ombudsman.
“A strong ombudsman program is critical to protecting the health, safety and rights of New Mexico’s most vulnerable population—residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other long-term care facilities,” said McCoy, announcing Forsythe’s appointment during Older Americans Month.
“This department is establishing a high bar for the quality of care provided by nursing
Read More Luján Announces $400 Million For Women’s Health
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 24, 2019
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has announced that the House will consider his effort to invest $400 million in the Title X family planning programs that support the health needs of women and families.
More than 190 House Democrats signed onto Luján’s push for the Title X funds, which have been systematically cut by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration. In New Mexico, there are 67 health care clinics that receive Title X funding.
Title X offers health care and support
Read More Attorney General Hector Balderas Urges Congress To Take Action To Protect Integrity Of America’s Elections
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 24, 2019
New Mexico Attorney General Hector BalderasAG News:
ALBUQUERQUE — In expressing his “significant concern regarding the persistent threats to our election systems,” Attorney General Hector Balderas joined 21 attorneys general around the country to urge Congress to take action to protect the integrity of America’s elections.
In a letter addressed to key U.S. Senators, Attorney General Balderas and the other attorneys general ask Congress to provide additional election security grants to states and localities, support the establishment of cybersecurity and audit
Read More Udall Statement On Reports That Iran Will Exceed Uranium Enrichment Limits From 2015 Nuclear Deal
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 24, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom UdallU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Iran announced it would exceed uranium enrichment levels previously agreed to under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The news comes just over one year after the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the JCPOA and started its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, including the restarting of crippling economic sanctions that had been reversed in exchange for
Read More State Pays Down $100 Million In Film Credit Backlog
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 23, 2019
NMED News:SANTA FE ― By the end of last week, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department had paid out nearly $100 million in backlogged film credits for about 100 film and television shows produced in the state over the past several years that were allowed to build up by the prior state administration.
Another $95 million is available to be paid out over the coming fiscal year to productions that have completed filming as part of the new administration’s efforts to clear the backlog and ensure sound footing for the film and television industry in the state into the future.
Udall, Van Hollen Reintroduce EMPOWER Act To Modernize Presidential Campaign Financing System
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 23, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) reintroduced legislation Thursday to reduce the influence of money in presidential elections by empowering candidates who decline support from wealthy special interests.
With mega-donors exerting increasing influence on elections and increasing public disgust for out-of-control special interest electioneering, S.1917, the Empowering Mass Participation to Offset the Wealthy’s Electoral Role (EMPOWER) Act would modernize the presidential public financing
Read More DOI: $40.2 Million To New Mexico For Vital Services Including $92,880 For Los Alamos County
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 22, 2019
DOI News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced that 32 local governments in New Mexico including Los Alamos County are receiving a total of $40.2 million under the 2019 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, demonstrating the Trump Administration’s commitment to local communities.
“Payments in lieu of taxes are made to local governments to help offset their inability to tax federal property,” Secretary Bernhardt said. “These payments are one example of the United States striving to be a good neighbor to local communities. This year’s
Read More Julia Baker Announces Run For School Board
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 22, 2019
Julia Baker intends to run for school board. Photo by Stephanie Jagielski Photography
COMMUNITY News:
Julia Baker has announced her intention to run for Los Alamos School Board in the 4th District, which includes the North Mesa and Barranca neighborhoods.
Baker and her family have lived in Los Alamos for 13 years. Having benefited from the hard work and volunteerism of others in the community, she said she feels that now is a good time to give back and that her skills can best be used on the school board.
Baker has a degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University and taught 5th grade Read More
Udall Leads Hearing On Five Bills, Questions Administration’s Commitment To Improving Public Safety In Native Communities
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 22, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, joined committee chairman John Hoeven to convene a legislative hearing Wednesday on five public safety bills, including two Udall-led bills – S. 290, the Native Youth and Tribal Officer Protection Act (NYTOPA), and S. 1853, the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act.
“Today, we have an opportunity to take action and make good on our promises to improve public safety in Indian Country.
Read More Christine Bernstein Running For LAPS School Board
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 21, 2019
By CHRISTINE BERNSTEINCandidate For Los Alamos School Board
My name is Christine Bernstein and I am running for LAPS School Board.
When people ask me why I am running for School Board, I provide reasons that inspire long conversations I enjoy having and will continue to have with members of this community. I am running for LAPS school board because I want to be a voice for teachers, students and parents. I want to be a voice for all.
In my 23 years as a teacher, I have wondered why others are making decisions about my job who do not know nor do the work of a teacher. What I mean by this is
Read More House Natural Resources Committee Votes For Full Dedicated Funding Of Land & Water Conservation Fund
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 21, 2019
LWCF News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The House Natural Resources Committee Wednesday voted to advance legislation to provide full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The bill (H.R.3195), the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act, is a House companion to S. 1081 and was introduced by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-N.J.), Committee Chair Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Passage of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (Dingell Act) earlier this year permanently reauthorized LWCF
Read More Letter To The Editor: Misuse Of Kids Count Report
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 21, 2019
By PAUL J. GESSINGPresident
Rio Grande Foundation
The Rio Grande Foundation supports free market policies. New Mexico Voices for Children is on the left of the political spectrum and usually support more government.
There are vast areas of disagreement but I believe that in the end New Mexicans across the political spectrum ALL want New Mexico’s children to do better.
That’s why it is so disappointing that Voices for Children is seemingly using the annual “Kids Count” report it publishes with the support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation to sharpen political axes rather
Read More 
