Luján Statement On President Trump’s Speech
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 20, 2019
Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján:
SANTA FE – Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) issued the following statement on the President’s address:
“What the American people were expecting to see today was immediate action to open the federal government. There is no reason that 800,000 federal employees continue to be held hostage due to the President’s failed leadership. Small businesses and local governments across America are being hurt as a result of the Trump shutdown.
“Democrats have been clear from day one. We have passed many bipartisan Read More
Morales Adds Visibility To Lieutenant Governor’s Role
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 20, 2019
Lt. Gov. Howie Morales on the first day of the 54th New Mexico legislative session Tuesday at the Roundhouse. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Lt. Gov. Howie Morales Tuesday on the first day of the 54th New Mexico legislative session. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New MexicanBy ANDREW OXFORD
A bell on a desk greeted visitors to the lieutenant governor’s office during Howie Morales’ first couple weeks on the job.
Ring for service, a sign said.
Not particularly glamorous, it seemed to sum up the office
Read More New Mexico True Collaborates For National Park Gateway Communities
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 20, 2019
New Mexico True is collaborating for National Park Gateway Communities. Courtesy/MTDNMTD News:
SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Tourism Department—in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department—launched a new campaign including a consumer webpage to minimize negative impact of the partial federal government shutdown to gateway communities.
New Mexico and its 15 National Park Service (NPS) units have been directly impacted by the partial shutdown. The tourism industry, specifically, has felt the effect,
Read More U.S. Senators Udall, Heinrich Introduce Bills To Reduce Cost Of Prescription Drugs
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 20, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) have introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at reducing the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs.
“Skyrocketing prescription drug prices have been squeezing families and seniors across New Mexico for far too long,” Udall said. “New Mexicans shouldn’t have to choose between life-saving treatments and putting food on the table. We must act now to provide a meaningful solution so that our health care system is no longer at the mercy of corporate executives padding their
Read More Ringside Seat: Keep An Open Capitol
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
The east entrance to the State Capitol Building in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
One of several statues and sculptures on the grounds of the State Capitol Building in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Local government liaison David Trujillo, right, looks over the rotunda Tuesday at the State Capitol Building in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.comBy MILAN SIMONICH
What a spectacular place the New Mexico Capitol is.
Millions of dollars of artworks line the walls. Tourists from
House Democrats Announce ‘Rocket Docket’ Bills
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
NMHD News:SANTA FE ― Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) and House Democrats have announced the House bills that will be on the “rocket docket” for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
House Democrats are eager to expedite these bipartisan bills to create economic progress for New Mexicans and keep the legislature moving forward in this historic legislative session.
The following House bills will be on the rocket docket:
Rep. Joseph Sanchez Sponsors Bill To Help Families Of Missing Persons
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― Rep. Joseph Sanchez (D-Alcalde) introduced House Bill 16 in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 16 would require the state’s 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.
“One of my constituents has been deeply impacted by this issue,” Rep. Joseph Sanchez said. “When his brother went missing, he found that our state’s missing persons information is not connected with
Read More GOP On Sanctity Of Human Life Sunday
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
From the Republican Party of New Mexico:Many churches across the nation will shed light on the issue of life and the unborn this Sunday, Jan. 20, which is recognized as the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
Few people are aware that New Mexico has become the late term abortion capitol of the country and has become a late term abortion magnet. Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, and Rep Joann Ferrary, D-Las Cruces, intend to make late term abortions more common practice; they want to keep physicians and hospitals from being able to refuse
Read More GOP Blasts Idea Of Paying New Mexico Legislators
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORDRepublicans in the state House of Representatives are blasting a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow legislators to receive a salary.
House Joint Resolution 5 would ask voters to create a commission that would set pay for statewide elected officials and lawmakers, who currently receive a daily stipend but no annual salary.
In a statement, House GOP leaders signaled they would not support the measure in the face of proposals by Democrats to raise taxes.
“House Republicans are standing against
Read More Shutdown Hurting Workers Outside Government
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
Peter Brill, president of Sarcon, looks at blueprints for the Spectra Hangars Thursday at his office. His plan to begin the construction in early January was halted by the government shutdown. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By STEVE TERRELL
Federal employees and contractors aren’t the only ones suffering because of the government’s nearly monthlong partial shutdown.
A local construction company with an $8.4 million contract to build two new hangars for private aviation companies at the Santa Fe Airport is unable to begin work on the project
Bill Seeks Voter OK To Pay Legislators A Salary
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
Roberto ‘Bobby’ J. Gonzales, D-Ranchos De Taos, sits in the House chambers Tuesday, the first day of the 54th New Mexico legislative session. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Roberto ‘Bobby’ J. Gonzales, D-Ranchos De Taos, takes the oath of office in the House chambers Tuesday in Santa Fe. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New MexicanBy ANDREW OXFORD
Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales has been in the state House of Representatives for nearly 25 years. Plenty of colleagues have come and gone. And he’s noticed something about many
Read More Rep. Gonzales Remarks On Taos Avalanche
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
Rep. Roberto GonzalesNMDP News:
SANTA FE ― Thursday, an avalanche fell just before noon at Taos Ski Valley leaving one skier dead and one critically injured.
Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales (D-Ranchos de Taos) released the following statement:
“I am grateful to the ski patrol, first responders, and good Samaritans that responded instantly and without hesitation. Our community sends our thoughts, prayers, and will hold close the victims and families of those affected.”
Read More Chief Justice: NM Court System In Better Shape
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 19, 2019
New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura delivers her State of the Judiciary address to a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New MexicanBy PHAEDRA HAYWOOD
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura told a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature Thursday the state’s justice system, which her predecessor described in 2017 as a patient on life support, is beginning to breathe on its own.
Nakamura said funding appropriated over the past two years
Christine Chandler Sworn In As House Dist. 43 Representative; Committee Assignments Announced
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 18, 2019
Christine Chandler of Los Alamos is sworn in Tuesday on the floor of the New Mexico House of Representatives as Dist. 43 Rep. for Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Rep. Christine Chandler, center, celebrates her formal swearing in to office Tuesday with her husband George Chandler and Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard who previously held the Dist. 43 seat before her election in November to lead the New Mexico State Land Office. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
House of Representatives News:
SANTA FE – In Read More
Udall Calls For Action On Bipartisan Interior Appropriations Bill … To Reopen Federal Government
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 18, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom UdallU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― On the 27th day of the longest government shutdown in American history, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, spoke on the Senate floor to demand action on the bipartisan Interior appropriations bill passed by the House last week, H.R. 266 — a move that Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked.
Super Volunteers Honored At Local Democratic Meeting
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 18, 2019
The Los Alamos Democratic Party honored a group of its ‘Super Volunteers’ during this month’s meeting. Many volunteers not pictured but also greatly appreciated for being very involved in the local election process of 2018 … nearly 60 in total and many being first timers. Courtesy photo Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Appointed As Ranking Member Of Strategic Forces Subcommittee
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 18, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has been appointed as the Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The subcommittee’s responsibilities include budget and policy oversight of nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, space programs, environmental cleanup and disposal, and missile defense.
“I am honored to be the Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee,” Heinrich said. “There are a number of high-profile issues currently pending
Read More Professor Warns Legislators: Get Serious On Climate
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 18, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORDWalk around the Capitol, and much of the talk is about an oil boom that is buoying the state’s finances, providing more money for schools and whatever else.
But for an hour on Thursday, a climate scientist urged one committee of legislators to look past all of that.
“The world will be moving away from fossil fuel production,” David Gutzler, a professor at the University of New Mexico and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, told members of the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources
Read More Luján Announces His Energy & Commerce Subcommittee Assignments For 116th Congress
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 18, 2019
Assistant Speaker Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) has announced his House Energy & Commerce subcommittee assignments for the 116th Congress.
Luján will continue to serve on the Health, and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittees, and rejoin the Communications and Technology Subcommittee. He was first appointed to the Energy & Commerce Committee in 2012.
“Whether it’s addressing health disparities, unlocking clean energy innovation, strengthening consumers’ privacy protections,
Read More Udall Shares Shutdown Fears Of A New Mexico Family Being Pushed To The Brink After Missing Paycheck
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 17, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom UdallU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In a speech from the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall shared the story and fears of a family from New Mexico that is concerned about its financial security after missing a paycheck due to the Trump shutdown.
Udall’s remarks came just before he joined with his Democratic colleagues on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to highlight the workers, families, and communities across the country who continue to feel the bite of the longest government shutdown in American history.
In his speech, Udall highlighted the story
Read More 
