Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Balderas Urges CFPB To Protect New Mexico Consumers From Payday Lenders

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 21, 2019

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas Tuesday urged the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to take immediate action to protect consumers from abuses in payday lending, vehicle title lending, and other types of high-cost exploitative consumer lending, after a rule aimed at protecting borrowers from abusive lenders was delayed a second time.

“President Trump’s Consumer Finance Protection Bureau is failing to deliver on its promise to protect New Mexican consumers,” Balderas said. “Yet another delay on this necessary

Udall, Heinrich Introduce Bicameral MAR-A-LAGO Act To Require Disclosure Of Visitor Logs At White House, Trump Properties Where President Conducts Official Business

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 21, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich reintroduced the Making Access Records Available to Lead American Government Openness (MAR-A-LAGO) Act, a bicameral bill that requires the publication of visitor logs to the White House or any other location where President Trump regularly conducts official business, including various Trump Organization properties that he frequents.

“No one should have greater access to or influence over the president or the administration just because they are wealthy, well-connected, or a regular at one

Council To Consider Water Rate Increase April 2

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 21, 2019

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 in Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave., to consider adoption of a proposed ordinance to increase water rates by 6.25 percent.

The ordinance was approved by the Board of Public Utilities at the Feb. 20 public hearing. If Council adopts the ordinance, the new water rates take effect immediately.

Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) seeks to increase wholesale, non-potable and retail water rates to recover costs necessary to maintain reliable water services to Read More

NMVC: New Mexico Should Invest In Public Infrastructure To Build A Strong Economy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 21, 2019

NMVC News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― In New Mexico, as in most states across the nation, investment in public infrastructure remains at lower levels than it did in 2002, even as the economy has rebounded after the recession. That’s according to a new report released today by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).

Lawmakers can fix this by prioritizing new and increased investments in transportation, public buildings, water treatment systems, and other forms of vital infrastructure in order to build a strong economy now and in the future.

“This report makes it clear that

Justice Department Awards $5.7 Million To Support Native American Crime Victims In Seven States

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 21, 2019

DOJ News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Office of Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime today awarded more than $5.7 million to support crime victims in Native American communities in seven states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin.

The group of 10 awards is the second in a series of grants being made by OVC to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. OVC has now awarded more than $9 million of up to $100 million to support tribal victim service programs.

The awards—17 in total so far—will fund critical crime victim services,

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich To Introduce Legislation To Establish Bandelier National Park And Preserve

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 21, 2019

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), announced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon at Bandelier National Monument his intent to introduce legislation to establish the Bandelier National Park and Preserve. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz, left, and Council Chair Sara Scott with Sen. Martin Heinrich Wednesday at the Bandelier press conference to express the Los Alamos community’s endorsement of the proposed legislation. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Tribal leaders, wildlife advocates,

Letter To The Editor: Disappointed In HB 51 Vote

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 20, 2019

By Barbara Calef, co-president, LWVLA

By Rebecca Shankland, co-president, LWVLA

The League of Women Voters of New Mexico has written the following news release, which we wish to share with the community.

The League of Women Voters is deeply disappointed that the New Mexico Senate voted against HB 51, which would have repealed the outdated law making abortion a crime. New Mexico women deserve to know that a full range of healthcare will remain available to them even if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

The League believes that in a pluralistic society such as ours the individual’s right to make reproductive

New Mexico Land Office: March Lease Sales Generate Nearly $5 Million … State Lands Are Open For Business

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 20, 2019

STATE LAND OFFICE News:

SANTA FE – The State Land Office held its monthly online oil and gas lease sales, raising $4.9 million for New Mexico schools, hospitals and colleges.

Twenty-four tracts of land were offered, 22 of which were closed for bid. Closed bids included 4,285 acres in Chaves, Lea and Eddy counties. The aggregate bid amounted to an average per-acre price of $1,444.56.

“With each monthly lease sale since I took office, we continue to uphold our constitutional obligation to fund our schools, hospitals, and colleges. Our partnerships with the companies seeking to lease our state Read More

Lawmakers Back Secret Lottery

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 20, 2019

By MILAN SIMONICH

msimonich@sfnewmexican.com

One of the worst decisions states ever made was to take over gambling businesses.

Mobsters used to run the numbers games. In big cities, heads of crime syndicates called this form of gambling “the policy racket.”

And they were the policy kings. Organized crime made millions off the masses that gambled nickels and dimes on the slender chance of winning a jackpot.

We still have plenty of criminals, organized or not. But state governments long ago took over the numbers games. The only difference is that states

New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colón And Team OSA Launch 2019 Audit Rule Roadshow

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colón

STATE News:

New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colón and members of Team OSA will hit the road beginning Wednesday, March 19 for its annual, statewide Audit Rule Roadshow.

Each year the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) embarks on a statewide tour to provide training to governmental agency employees and independent public accountant (IPA) firm representatives to provide training on significant and critical updates to the Audit Rule. This year, Auditor Colón and Team OSA will visit six cities across the state: Las Vegas, Las Cruces, Portales, Farmington, Taos, Read More

N.M. Delegation Urges Department Of Defense To Consider New Mexico For Space Development Agency

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

New Mexico Delegation News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small urged Department of Defense Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan to consider New Mexico as a host for co-locating the Space Development Agency headquarters and to fully utilize the state’s existing core research and development space assets.

Shanahan recently noted that the DoD must make changes to its research, development, and acquisition processes to protect U.S. vital interests in space. Key among these changes Read More

Ringside Seat: Cigar Shop Fired Up By Lower Tax Rate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

By MILAN SIMONICH

msimonich@sfnewmexican.com

What a reversal of fortune.

Just three months ago, the owners of Primo Cigar Shop faced the possibility of a 76 percent state tobacco tax on their products. They now pay a tax of 25 percent upfront, an amount they say makes it impossible to compete with cigar retailers on the internet.

Tripling the state tax would have turned off Primo’s lights and closed its doors, said Jack Sweeney, who 10 years ago founded the business.

But bizarre turnabouts can occur in the blur of New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session.

Land Commissioner SGR To Speak At NNMPW

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

New Mexico Delegation Introduces Bicameral Native American Voting Rights Act

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, along with U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small, led a group of Senate and House Democrats in re-introducing the Native American Voting Rights Act, landmark legislation that would provide the necessary resources and oversight to ensure Native Americans and Alaska Natives have equal access to the electoral process.

Udall led the introduction of the Native American Voting Rights Act last Congress.

Udall Meets With VA Secretary Robert Wilkie Regarding Help For Veterans Exposed To Burn Pits…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall met with the U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert Wilkie to discuss the urgent need to enact bipartisan legislation to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, address staffing shortages and decreasing capabilities at the New Mexico VA Health Care System, and other issues critical to health and wellbeing of veterans in New Mexico and across the country.

Udall has long worked to ensure that New Mexico veterans receive better access to the medical treatment they need. In 2013, Udall, along with

Los Alamos Fundraiser Held For Rep. Ben Ray Luján

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 19, 2019

Nearly 100 supporters of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján gathered this evening at a local residence for a fundraiser, including elected Democrats front row from left, New Mexico Secretary of Education Karen Trujillo, Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Scott, Lujan, Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard and Public Education Commissioner Karyl Ann Armbruster. Back row from left, Los Alamos County Councilors David Izraelevitz and Randy Ryti. Courtesy photo

Scott And Ryti Host Community Town Hall Meetings

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 18, 2019

County Councilor Randall Ryti and Council Chair Sara Scott host a town hall meeting March 12 at the Municipal Building. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

What would the public like to see the Los Alamos County Council address? This question was posed during a town hall meeting March 12 at the Municipal Building and the answers ranged from vacant commercial space and housing to open space, recreation and social services.

Former County Councilor Morris Pongratz urged the new County Council to strive to create a community Read More

Lunch With A Leader: Skolnik Presents ‘Fifty Countries Later – A Global Perspective On Healthcare In The US’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 17, 2019

Richard Skolnik

LWVLA News:

The League of Women Voters’ monthly Lunch with a Leader event for the community is 11:45 a.m., March 19 at Mesa Public Library.

Featured speaker Richard Skolnik, who moved to Los Alamos a few years ago, will present “Fifty Countries Later – A Global Perspective on Healthcare in the US”.

During his presentation, Skolnik will address the fact that although the United States spends 50 percent more of its national income on health than any other country, its citizens are not living longer or healthier.

Skolnik has given scores of guest lectures and in 2011was Read More

Done Deal: 2019 New Mexico Legislature Adjourns

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 17, 2019

House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, center, delivers final remarks as the 2019 Legislative session comes to a close at noon Saturday. Courtesy/SFNM

Lawmakers are packing it up and heading home following the close of the 2019 60-Day Legislative Session at noon Saturday in Santa Fe. Courtesy/SFNM

By ANDREW OXFORD

aoxford@sfnewmexican.com

The 60-day legislative session ended Saturday with a down-to-the-wire agreement on a sweeping tax bill that will raise rates on e-cigarettes and new vehicles while nearly doubling an income tax credit for some families.

GOP: We Will Rise Again

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 17, 2019

By ROBERT NOTT

rnott@sfnewmexican.com

With only minutes left on the clock on the last day of the legislative session, Republicans in the state House of Representatives didn’t even get one last chance to raise a squalor.

All they could do was raise a collective “Nay!” when asked if they approved a House-Senate compromise on a $7 billion state budget for fiscal year 2020.

Outnumbered 46-24 by Democrats, the House Republicans were out-shouted as the session neared its close Saturday. And that’s how it had played out for most of the 60-day session.

LOS ALAMOS

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