Letter To The Editor: Destruction Of America
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 10, 2019
By LUCILLE BONNERLos Alamos
America has already been corrupted by legalization of murder of babies in the womb and has ignored the sanctity of marriage by legalization of any kind of sexual behavior. Now our Congress is considering House Resolution, HR-5, to make indecency legal in the name of equality. It proposes to make it a crime to forbid men from entering women’s restrooms or showers.
If we are wise, we will realize that we cannot change God’s laws not to murder (Exodus 20:13), to honor marriage as He planned it (Genesis 2:24), and to behave decently (Mark 7:21-23).
Read More Business Breakfast With Christine Chandler April 11
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 10, 2019
U.S. Rep. Luján: 2019 Congressional Art Competition
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 10, 2019
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) announced Tuesday details for the 2019 Congressional Art Competition.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in young people.
The winning entry from New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District will be displayed as part of an exhibit in the United States Capitol for one year. In honor of Earth Day, the theme of this year’s Art Competition is Mother Earth.
Public Hearing On Proposed Jim Billen Trail April 25
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 10, 2019
Map with highlighted section in yellow shown on the existing Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail to denote the proposed segment of the trail to be re-named Jim Billen Trail. Courtesy/LACCOUNTY News:
Los Alamos County is considering a citizen petition to re-name a segment of the Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail as the “Jim Billen Trail.” Billen passed away April 14, 2018.
Under County Code, a public hearing must be held prior to naming or re-naming any County facility – or in this case, a trail – after a deceased individual, and such a request can only be considered six months or more after the person’s
Read More Governor Signs Bill To Grow Teacher Pipeline
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 8, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― A bill to create incentives for current educational assistants to obtain teacher certification was signed Thursday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
House Bill 20, sponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Sen. Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Christine Trujillo (D-Albuquerque), and Rep. Raymundo Lara (D-Chaparral), creates a “grow your own teachers fund” in the state treasury and establishes a scholarship program for educational assistants (EAs) in New Mexico to become certified educators.
“Our state is in desperate need of teachers,”
Read More Luján Joins Immigrant Youth And Advocates As They Call For Swift Passage Of Dream And Promise Act
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 8, 2019
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
ALBUQUERQUE ― Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (NM-3) held a tele-press call with DACA recipients and allies to discuss H.R. 6, The Dream and Promise Act, new legislation that would provide permanent protections for undocumented immigrant youth and those under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
The Dream and Promise Act recognizes the urgent need to provide permanent protections without using immigrants as bargaining chips to win a host of anti-immigrant provisions.
Rep. Ben
Read More Bill Guaranteeing Basic Wage Protections For Home Care And Domestic Workers Signed Into Law
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 8, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamSTATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill into law that ensures home care and domestic workers—the people who clean homes and deliver care for others—are protected by New Mexico’s minimum wage standards and other wage protections.
Senate Bill 85, Domestic Service in Minimum Wage Act, is sponsored by Sen. Liz Stefanics and Rep. Christine Trujillo.
“This is a historic win for domestic and home care workers,” said Carlota Muñoz, a member of El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos. “During my employment at a cleaning service
Read More Udall Urges Action To Improve Indian Roads
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 8, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom UdallU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led an oversight hearing on “Tribal Transportation: Enhancing Tribal Self-Governance and Safety of Indian Roads.”
The committee heard from the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Lands Highway Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) Division of Transportation, Ohkay Owingeh Head Councilman Joe Garcia, and Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis.
“As Congress begins its
Read More Governor Signs $7 Billion State Operating Budget
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 7, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed the $7.086 billion New Mexico state budget for Fiscal Year 2020, delivering transformational investments in public education; essential funding increases for early childhood education and intervention; substantial and creative boosts to the state’s economic development and workforce initiatives; four hundred million for roadway infrastructure across the state; and across-the-board pay increases for state employees and judges.
General fund reserves will rise to 20 percent.
Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver On Intimate Partner Violence Survivor Suffrage Act Signed Into Law
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 7, 2019
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse OliverSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released the following statement Thursday after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law Senate Bill 190, the Intimate Partner Violence Survivor Suffrage Act:
“Survivors of domestic violence and stalking should never be intimidated out of voting because they fear their personal information will become available for their abusers to find. The Intimate Partner Violence Survivor Suffrage Act provides a vital protection for these survivors by ensuring that
Read More Second Chance Measure Signed Into Law
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 6, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Criminal Record Expungement Act into law. House Bill 370, sponsored by Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque), would allow certain individuals to petition the court to remove their criminal record from public view.
This will allow people, years removed from their last arrest, the opportunity to get a job or a better job.
Under House Bill 370, expungement will not be granted to a person who was convicted of homicide, an offense against a child, an offense that caused great bodily harm, a sex offense,
Read More Scenes From Commissioner SGR And Former CIA Agent Valerie Plame Presentation To LAHS iVOTE Club
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 5, 2019
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, left, and former CIA agent Valerie Plame talk politics with students from the newly formed non-partisan iVOTE Club Thursday in the Speech Theater at Los Alamos High School. The women commented on how astute the students were with their questions during the q&A portion of the presentation. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, left, and former CIA agent Valerie Plame speak with students from the newly formed non-partisan iVOTE Club Thursday in the Speech Theater at Los Alamos Read More
AFT New Mexico Reacts To Signing Of Legislation To Empower Hourly And Licensed Classified Educators
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 5, 2019
AFT New Mexico News:ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico Executive Vice President Kathy Chavez and NM Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-13) released the following statements:
“The signing of House Bill 47 is welcome news for thousands of educational employees in New Mexico’s public schools.
“By respecting the work performed by educational assistants, transportation workers, custodial and maintenance staff, cafeteria staff, clerical workers, and other critical educational employees, New Mexico is sending a meaningful message that job security
Read More Gov. Lujan Grisham Signs Key Education Bills
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 5, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamSTATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday signed key public education legislation into law, providing significant funding increases for evidence-based programs like K-5+ and extended learning time, raising educator salary levels in the state’s three-tier licensure system and establishing a framework for community schools across New Mexico that will provide crucial wraparound health and wellbeing services to children and families in need, among other critical reforms.
Surrounded by students, educators, advocates,
Read More Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Responds To Campaign Finance Fixes Being Signed Into Law
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 5, 2019
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse OliverSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released the following statement after Senate Bill 3 was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham:
“The revisions to the Campaign Reporting Act included in this law give the public a better understanding of who is trying to influence our elections by providing more transparency and accountability in campaign finance reporting.
“I thank Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth for his diligence and vision in passing this legislation, and I thank
Read More Chamber Business Breakfast: Rep. Chandler April 11
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 5, 2019
County Approaches Budget Hearings With Optimism
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 4, 2019
Los Alamos County Manager Harry BurgessBy KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
After passing a flat budget in FY2019 and preparing to do the same for FY2020, Los Alamos County received a pleasant surprise: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed SB 11, which states prime contractors operating a laboratory facility in New Mexico are indeed subject to gross receipt taxes (GRT).
This means Triad, which operates Los Alamos National Laboratory, will pay GRT to Los Alamos County. It also means County Manager Harry Burgess can present an actual budget for Los Alamos County Read More
New Mexico State Land Office Signs Special Use Permit With Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 4, 2019
Continental Divide Trail Coalition Executive Director Teresa Martinez, left, with Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. Courtesy photoSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has signed Special Use Permit No. 2019-001 giving the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) the ability to issue permits to Trail hikers and horseback riders that will allow them to lawfully access the portions of the Trail that are on State Trust Lands.
The Continental Divide Trail spans over 3,000 miles in North America, with 820 miles of trail in New Mexico.
Read More Chandler: New Mexico Legislature 2019 ‘The Most Productive Session In Years’
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 4, 2019
By REP. CHRISTINE CHANDLERNew Mexico House Dist. 43
Now that the 2019 legislative session has come to an end, I wanted first to thank District 43 for the honor of serving you. I was proud to represent our district alongside hardworking staff, legislators, and advocates for the betterment of New Mexico. With a new energetic governor, the state legislature had one of the most productive sessions in years, ushering in transformative policy towards a brighter future.
Together, we passed education reforms including allocating more monies for schools and higher teacher pay, expanding trade Read More
AFT New Mexico Applauds Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Signing Community School Legislation
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on April 4, 2019
AFT News:SANTA FE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:
“With today’s signing of House Bill 589, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham moved our state forward towards the realization of a more robust structure of community schools and the wrap-around services our students, families, parents and communities need for healthy and stable neighborhoods.
“Making a transition to a fuller and systematic embrace of the community school model of education reinforces the belief that community schools aren’t just for education,
Read More 
