Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

LAPS Students Participate In American Indian Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

LAPS News:

Seven students from the Native American Club at Los Alamos High School traveled to the New Mexico State Capitol, otherwise known as the “Roundhouse” Friday for celebration of American Indian Day.

“We had a very successful field trip to the Roundhouse for American Indian Day on Friday,” said former San Ildefonso Pueblo Gov. James Mountain and current Native American Parent Advisory Council Chairman.

LAPS students included Nichelle Aguilar (LAPS 11th grade), Daniel Gonzales (TFA 9th grade), Janessa Gonzales (LAHS 12th grade), Maddox Martinez (TFA 9th grade), Leah Mountain (LAHS Read More

Senate Unanimously Confirms Bill McCamley Cabinet Secretary Of NM Department Of Workforce Solutions

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

WFS Cabinet Secretary Bill McCamley

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Senate unanimously confirmed Bill McCamley as the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Monday with a vote of 35-0.

The Senate commended the new Cabinet Secretary on his enthusiasm and commitment to tackling many of the workforce issues and developing real pragmatic solutions to the state’s workforce needs.

“He’s clear about protecting workers and about making sure that wage theft and related issues get addressed in a robust fashion,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said, “In addition, he Read More

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez To Join Udall As Honored Guest At State Of The Union Tonight

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced that Jonathan Nez, president of the Navajo Nation, will be Udall’s guest tonight at the 2019 State of the Union Address.

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

“As the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and as a senator from New Mexico – home to 23 Tribes and Pueblos – one of my top priorities in Congress is making sure our government lives up to its trust and treaty obligations. That’s why I am enormously proud to invite Read More

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 5

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

STATE News:

Days left in session: 39

Looking for tips: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham doubled down Monday on her commitment to raising the state’s minimum wage of $7.50 an hour.

But she also acknowledged that the restaurant industry is fighting hard against a provision in House Bill 31 that would eliminate the lower $2.13 minimum wage for tipped workers, such as servers.

“It’s an important discussion and debate to have. But it hasn’t changed my mind about the value

Armstrong Bill To Keep Guns From Domestic Violence Offenders Heads To Full House For Vote

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

STATE News:

Rep. Debbie Armstrong’s bill to keep guns out of the hands of domestic violence offenders, HB 87, is headed to a vote by the full House of Representatives after it passed the House Judiciary Committee Monday, 9-4.

“When a gun is present in a situation of domestic violence, it is five times more likely that a woman will be killed,” Armstrong said. “HB 87 is a common-sense way to reduce gun violence in New Mexico.”

Armstrong’s bill will make it a misdemeanor for anyone convicted of domestic violence, or under a restraining order, to possess a firearm. The bill also provides

Los Alamos GOP Meets Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

RPLA News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos County will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7, at UNM-LA, Building 5, Wallace Hall.

The Central Committee meeting is 6-6:50 p.m., followed by a 10 minute break for refreshments.

At 7 p.m., special guest Paul Jaramillo, newly elected RPLA 2nd vice chair, will speak on his political odyssey. This presentation is open to the public.

Bill Would Freeze Fracking Permits During Study

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

Drilling rig. Courtesy/wikipedia.com

By REBECCA MOSS

rmoss@sfnewmexican.com

When you’re driving at night through Counselor, N.M. on U.S. 550, the horizon takes on a dusky illumination, almost like daylight, Samuel Sage said during a Monday news conference in Santa Fe.

Bright light flares from natural gas being burned off as part of oil and gas production has become increasingly common in that area of Northwestern New Mexico, particularly since 2013, said Sage, a member of the Navajo Nation’s Counselor Chapter House.

Sage was among several environmental

This Week On NMPBS: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

Report From Santa Fe host Lorene Mills, left, with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Courtesy photo

NMPBS News:

In one of her first in-depth interviews since taking office as New Mexico Governor, this week’s guest on Report From Santa Fe is Lujan Grisham , discussing her administration’s approach to education, health care, immigration and family separation on the border and other hot topics.

Lujan Grisham is New Mexico’s 32nd governor and the first Latina Democratic governor in the country. She is a 12th generation New Mexican. Lujan Grisham has served as a Bernalillo Read More

Backers Of ‘Ban The Box’ Legislation Try Again

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

By ANDREW OXFORD

aoxford@sfnewmexican.com

The toughest question on a job application can be pretty short. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

For job seekers with criminal records, checking that box can make all the difference in landing an interview with a prospective employer.

Now, lawmakers are reviving a years-long effort to “ban the box” by prohibiting employers from asking about criminal convictions on an initial job application.

Even as crime has become a flash point between Republicans and Democrats, Senate Bill 96 is one idea that

Governor Signs Series Of Bills Martinez Had Vetoed

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today signs 42 bills into law. Courtesy photo

By ANDREW OXFORD

aoxford@sfnewmexican.com

Lobbyists usually have to report when they spend money on legislators and other government officials. But because of a loophole in New Mexico law, lobbyists do not have to report any expenses under $100.

Take a lawmaker to lunch and as long as the bill is $99.99 or less, you don’t have to tell a soul. That will change thanks to a new law. Sort of.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today signed Senate Bill 191 to close this loophole by requiring lobbyists

Bill Passes House Committee To Protect Private Information Of New Mexicans, Create Clear And Strong Confidentiality Policy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 5, 2019

Rep. Miguel Garcia

HOUSE DEMOCRAT News:

SANTA FE – Today, the House State Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee passed a bill to protect the sensitive personal information of New Mexicans and create a clear and strong confidentiality policy.

House Bill 141, sponsored by Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque), creates a clear standard for state employees when handling New Mexicans’ personal information.

This private information includes social security number, tax payer identification number, sexual orientation, disability status, immigration status, Read More

Governor Picks Julie Jones For Corrections Secretary

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 4, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announces former Florida prisons director Julie Jones as her pick for corrections secretary at a news conference Thursday at the state Capitol. Photo by Phaedra Haywood/The New Mexican

By PHAEDRA HAYWOOD

phaywood@sfnewmexican.com

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has tapped former Florida prison system leader Julie Jones to run the New Mexico Department of Corrections, an agency plagued by short staffing and aging facilities that are quickly approaching capacity.

Lujan Grisham said during a news conference Thursday at the Capitol that Jones

RSF: Prosecution Over Shortwave Broadcasts To China

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 4, 2019

RSF News:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Thai authorities to drop all proceedings against Yung-hsin Chiang, a Taiwanese businessman based in Thailand who is facing a possible five-year jail sentence in a connection with a short-wave radio station that targeted listeners in China.

Chiang, who is due to appear in court Feb. 12, was arrested at his office in Bangkok Nov. 23 on a charge of violating Thailand’s broadcasting laws and was held for two days before being released on bail.

His crime is to have helped rent premises in the northern city of Chiang Mai that

Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Applauds Passage Of Lobbyist Disclosure Bill By State Legislature

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 4, 2019

Maggie Toulouse Oliver

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Wednesday, an important bill supported by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver passed the floor of the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 191 will close a loophole in current lobbyist reporting by requiring lobbyists to report expenses under $100. SB 191 unanimously passed the Senate last week and passed the House today by a 68-1 vote. It now goes to Governor Lujan Grisham’s desk for her signature.

“I’m committed to providing more openness and accountability to the public and Senate Bill 191 is a simple

Stewart Bill To Create Wildlife Corridors To Protect Animals, People Passes Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 4, 2019

SENATE News:

Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to create wildlife corridors to protect animals and people on New Mexico roads Thursday passed the Senate Conservation Committee.

“Without carefully planned wildlife corridors, New Mexico roads are incredibly dangerous for animals and people alike,” Stewart said. “By using overpasses and underpasses, among other tools, we can keep animals off our roads and ensure drivers and their passengers get where they’re going safely.”

SB 228 authorizes the Department of Game and Fish and the Department of Transportation to work together

Governor Declares American Indian Day, Meets With Tribal Leaders, Calls For Strengthened Relationships

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 4, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Courtesy photo

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Friday emphasized her firm commitment to re-establishing productive, respectful government-to-government relationships between the state and New Mexico’s pueblos and tribes on American Indian Day at the state Capitol.

The governor met with dozens of tribal leaders from across the state at the Governor’s Mansion on Friday morning for breakfast in a culmination of several important meetings with tribal officials in recent

Heinrich Names Rebecca L. Avitia As State Director

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 4, 2019

Rebecca L. Avitia

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that Rebecca L. Avitia will serve as his state director.

A native New Mexican, Avitia has spent her career in service to her community, most recently as executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

“Throughout her career, Rebecca has been a strong advocate and leader committed to improving the lives of those in her community,” Heinrich said. “I’m proud to have her join our team and am confident she will be a great asset to the work Read More

Rep. Joseph Sanchez Bill To Help Families Of Missing Persons Passes House Floor Unanimously

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 3, 2019

NMDP News:

SANTA FE ― Thursday, Rep. Joseph Sanchez’s (D-Alcalde) bill to help families of missing persons passed the House of Representatives unanimously.

House Bill 16 would require the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to share pertinent missing persons information with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, created by the United States Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice.

The “Mark Daniel Aguilar Information Sharing Requirement” would ensure a more thorough and connected process in helping to find missing persons. According

SVC Applauds Heinrich And Udall Bill To Protect Border Communities, Wildlife, Environment

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 3, 2019

SVC News:

The Southwest Environmental Center applauds New Mexico U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich for introducing legislation to protect our border communities, wildlife and environment from harmful border wall construction.

Statement from Executive Director Kevin Bixby:

We strongly support legislation introduced today by Senators Udall and Heinrich to protect our border communities, wildlife, public lands and environment from Trump’s harmful border wall.

The bill to rescind the outdated authority granted by Congress to the Secretary of

Minimum Wage Hike Advances Despite Restaurant Industry’s Fight

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 3, 2019

Bill McCamley, secretary-designate of the Department of Workforce Solutions, speaks in favor of House Bill 31 during a committee hearing Friday. The legislation would raise the statewide minimum wage to $10 an hour in July and increase it annually up to $12 an hour in 2021. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

By ANDREW OXFORD

aoxford@sfnewmexican.com

Democrats campaigned last year on a promise to raise New Mexico’s minimum wage, which has remained at $7.50 an hour for a decade.

How high it will go, exactly, is a question that quickly has become wrapped in a battle