Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

County Council Seeks Feedback On 2019 Priorities

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2019

Los Alamos County Council discussing its 2019 Strategic Leadership Plan Tuesday night in Council Chambers. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council is seeking community feedback about the 2019 Strategic Leadership Plan unanimously adopted Feb. 12 at the Council meeting. Seven priorities have been identified as focus areas this year:

Increasing the amount and types of housing options.

This includes a variety of housing options for all segments of the community, from affordable, entry level, and live-work housing

Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver On Passage Of Campaign Finance Bill By New Mexico State Senate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2019

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Wednesday, the New Mexico State Senate passed an important bill on the Senate floor that will improve transparency in our campaign finance system.

Senate Bill 3 passed the Senate today 36-6 and, if it becomes law, will create clearer and more robust reporting requirements for money spent trying to influence our elections in New Mexico.

“In the post-Citizens United era when bigger and bigger amounts of money are being spent to influence our elections, New Mexicans deserve the strongest and most transparent

Letter To The Editor: Knee Jerk Reaction Against President Trump … Happy With Outcome?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2019

By JEFF ROBERTS

White Rock

The State’s, and for that matter, the County’s knee jerk reaction against President Trump, swept Democrats into office. Are you happy with the outcome?

The Legislative bills now being railroaded through include:

1). A 53% increase in tax when you buy a new or used car and register it;

2). A 12% increase in personal income tax;

3). A 32% increase in personal income tax for higher income families (over $200 K);

4). A movement to eliminate the 3% per year allowable increase in property tax;

5). A 10 cent per gallon gasoline tax;

6). A requirement that all

LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum Feb. 18

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2019

AHF: Learning From Hiroshima And Nagasaki

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

Paper cranes. Courtesy/AHF

Atomic Heritage Foundation News:

The Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the 7,700 members of the Mayors for Peace urge that the world remember the devastation and suffering caused by the world’s first atomic bombings. Their goal is both timely and urgent.

Cynthia C. Kelly, founder and president of the Atomic Heritage Foundation (AHF), is traveling in Japan to interview Mayor Kazumi Matsui, president of Mayors for Peace, Thursday in Hiroshima. She also will interview Mayor Tomihisa Taue of Nagasaki Feb. 18. In addition, she will interview hibakusha or atomic Read More

Letter To The Editor: A Reply…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

By AARON WALKER

Los Alamos

Mr. Burke’s letter was very strange to me (link). There were 10 candidates that were all qualified to fill Christine Chandler’s County Council seat for different reasons. All had different backgrounds, and a differing perspective of how the county needed to position itself for the future. I was surprised by the decision, but I don’t think there was a bad choice to be made.

Mr. Burke’s letter is not good optics for him or the Republican Party. While he is certainly entitled to his own opinion, there is a time and a place to air it. Drafting a letter and attacking

Rep. Gail Armstrong Proposes Tax Break For Senior Citizens In New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

Rep. Gail Armstrong

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― New Mexico’s Senior Citizens deserve a tax break and they would receive one under a new measure proposed by Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena).

House Bill 477 (HB 477) would allow senior citizens to claim up to $24,000 in Social Security Income without being forced to pay state taxes. If passed, HB 477 could mean a tax break of hundreds of dollars every year for senior citizens on a fixed income.

“Our senior citizens deserve a break,” Rep. Armstrong said. “They are so important to our communities and state that we should do all we

Legislative Women Cross Party Lines To Form Caucus

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

The newly formed Women’s Caucus is comprised of members from both sides of the aisle and both the House and Senate and includes Rep. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos, 5th from right. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Tuesday, the New Mexico Legislative Women’s Caucus, comprised of women from both sides of the aisle, held a press conference to announce their bipartisan, bicameral leadership.

The Women’s Caucus elected Co-Chairs, Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Kelly K. Fajardo (R-Los Lunas), Co-Vice Chairs Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena)

Senate Passes SB47 – Historic Win For Public Lands

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

TRCP News:

WASHINGTON, D.C — Leading conservation organizations and hunting and fishing groups are celebrating Senate passage of a critical public lands bill, which would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund and support other important conservation programs.

43 groups recently called on the Senate to vote on the bipartisan legislation (S.47) that was negotiated by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) last Congress.

“Today’s vote sends a strong message that we can find consensus in our support for our public

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 13

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

Brooklyn Valencia, left, and Mercedes Strong dance a sevillanas Tuesday in the Rotunda of the state Capitol. Lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate held a joint session to honor Hispanic Culture Day at the Capitol, which included some dance and musical events. Robert Nott/The New Mexican

By The New Mexican

Days remaining in session: 32

Round 3 for coyotes: Hunters, trappers and landowners in New Mexico can kill as many coyotes as they want, anytime they want. Like skunks, coyotes are an unprotected fur-bearer.

A bipartisan group of state legislators

Background Check For Firearms Act Passes House

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 13, 2019

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― House Bill 8, the “Background Check for Firearms Act,” sponsored by Rep. Debra M. Sariñana (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), has passed the House of Representatives.

House Bill 8 would require background checks when conducting sales of a firearm.

“We must do all we can to prevent gun violence,” Rep. Debbie Sariñana (D-Albuquerque) said. “I have been personally impacted by gun violence, and have seen the way gun violence affects our children and our communities. It’s time that we stand up and do all we can to

‘Student Loan Bill Of Rights’ Passes Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

House Democrats News: News:

SANTA FE ― Monday, the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee passed a bill to enact a “Student Loan Bill of Rights” to protect student loan borrowers from exploitation.

House Bill 172, sponsored by Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), requires student loan servicers to register and obtain a state license.

“This legislation cracks down on student loan service providers that prey on students. For many New Mexicans, student loan debt can hold them back from fulfilling their

Moving Arts Española Gala Draws Mayors; Lab Officials

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

Welcoming 80 guests to the annual Moving Arts Española fundraising gala are Executive/School Director and Co-founder Salvador Ruiz-Esquivel, right, and his partner Artistic Director/Co-founder Roger Montoya Feb. 2 at Los Luceros Ranch north of Española near the village of Alcalde. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The gala was a joyful event attended by Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason, center, and Northern New Mexico College President Rick Bailey, third from left, who introduced Mason to educators including Española Superintendent of Schools Bobbie Gutierrez, Read More

Letter To The Editor: County Council – (Sigh!) More of the Same

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

By BRADY BURKE

2018 County Council Candidate

In case you missed the January 29 County Council meeting, there was an agenda item to fill the Council seat vacated by Christine Chandler.

On Jan. 15, there was one applicant for the seat. By the deadline of Jan. 24, there were 10. The list of applicants included enthusiastic citizens, small business owners, candidates that ran in the last election, a professional engineer with a history as a professional electrician, an international negotiator that served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and another with an MBA and tons of experience.

‘It’s Frustrating Being A Republican This Year’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

State Rep. Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences, speaks Thursday on the House floor. With far fewer Republicans in the House this year and little chance of getting measures passed on their own, Dow says, ‘I’m encouraging folks on those things they feel are really important to call the Democrat representatives and ask them to vote according to New Mexico constituents, not just a party platform.’ Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican

Lonely guy: State Rep. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, shown Friday on the House floor, said it’s frustrating to be a Republican in the House this

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 12

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

Anne Hanika-Ortiz walks along the painting-lined Annex Walkway Monday leading to the Capitol.. The Roundhouse and adjoining annex are home to the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection, which consists of 650 pieces by New Mexican artists including ceramics, photography, textiles and paintings. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

A mixed-media artwork titled “Mogollon Lion” by Linda Brewer was on display Monday in the Annex Walkway at the Capitol. The Roundhouse and adjoining annex are home to the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection, which consists of 650 pieces by New

Debate Begins On Details Of New Ethics Commission

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

Rep. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales

By ANDREW OXFORD

aoxford@sfnewmexican.com

New Mexico voters spoke, overwhelmingly backing a constitutional amendment last year to create an independent ethics commission.

Now, it is up to lawmakers to decide exactly how the commission will work.

Democrats in the state House of Representatives on Monday put forward the first plan of the legislative session for setting up the ethics panel, proposing a board that would work with broad secrecy.

Confidentiality provisions immediately raised concerns from some of the biggest

‘Only Yes Means Yes’ Bill Advances To House Floor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Thomson

NM HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE ― The House Education Committee has passed a bill to add consent language to the state’s sexual education curriculum.

House Bill 133, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque), would require public schools and public post-secondary educational institutions to adopt policies and procedures addressing affirmative consent and prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.

According to the 2017 New Mexico Youth Risk & Resilience Survey of New Mexico

New Mexico State Senate Unanimously Confirms Jen Paul Schroer Cabinet Secretary For Tourism Department

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 12, 2019

Jen Paul Schroer

STATE News:

Today the New Mexico State Senate unanimously confirmed Jen Paul Schroer as the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Tourism Department.

The Senate complimented Secretary Schroer on her dedication and expertise in growing tourism and regional economies in the state as well as commending her background in uniting tourism and hospitality industry partners, in both private and public sector, to position the Land of Enchantment as a top destination for venturesome travelers.

“We are going to take New Mexico True to the next level,” Secretary Read More

New Mexico State Senate Unanimously Confirms Human Services Department Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D.

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019

David R. Scrase, M.D.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Senate unanimously confirmed David R. Scrase, M.D. today as Secretary of the Human Services Department.

“Dr. Scrase is an effective leader, and knows all facets of the Human Services Department, especially the Medicaid program and I am honored to carry his nomination,” Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino said during today’s Senate confirmation. “The Governor has made a terrific nomination in Dr. Scrase to head the Human Services Department.”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Secretary Scrase Dec. 15, 2018.

“Secretary Scrase is showing Read More

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