LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum At Legislative Dinner
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 9, 2019
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos School Board may attend the Legislative Dinner 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 at the Delta in Espanola.
A quorum may be present, however, no action will be taken.
Read More
RSF Urges China To Free Senior Citizen Journalist, Victim Of Torture
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 9, 2019
Courtesy photoRSF News:
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on China for the immediate release of citizen journalist Qin Yongmin, 65, who has been serving a 13-year prison sentence since last summer and whose state of health has deteriorated as a result of abuse.
Chinese citizen journalist and activist Qin Yongmin is “constantly forced to perform hard manual work”, put “under regular surveillance by other prisoners” and even receives “death threats,” which is akin to “physical and mental torture” in view of
Read More Heinrich Highlights Damaging Impacts Of Shutdown To New Mexico, Urges Trump To Reopen Government
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 9, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) spoke Tuesday on the Senate Floor to highlight the damaging impact the Trump Shutdown is having on communities across New Mexico and to call on the president and Senate Republicans to reopen the government immediately.
Already into its 18th day, almost 6,000 federal workers in New Mexico have been furloughed or are working without pay because of President Trump’s unnecessary and irresponsible shutdown.
During his remarks, Senator Heinrich shared
Read More Udall, Luján, Lujan Grisham On Presidential Address
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 9, 2019
POLITICAL News:
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued statements this morning in seperate press releases in response to the address to the nation by President Donald Trump Tuesday night, the 18th day of the government shutdown.
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – “President Trump needs to end his shutdown now, before his reckless tantrum hurts more New Mexico families. New Mexicans didn’t hear anything new tonight from the president. Instead, they just heard more fear-mongering about immigrants, and dishonest and out-of-touch talk about Read More
Legal Team Identifies Areas For Improving Election Procedures
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 8, 2019
Yvette HerrellSTATE News:
ALAMOGORDO ― Republican Second Congressional District nominee Yvette Herrell has reviewed the absentee ballot returns in Doña Ana County, and examined the procedures used by the county clerk’s office for receiving absentee ballot applications and the processing and security of ballots.
In mid-November, while not disputing the outcome of the election, or alleging any misconduct on anyone’s part, Herrell cited widespread concerns raised by the media and individual voters about election integrity, from North Carolina to California, as
Read More Land Commissioner SGR Pledges To Enact Policy And State Legislators Plan To Introduce ‘Roxy’s Law’
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 8, 2019
Proposed legislation on trapping named for Roxy, a dog killed by a trap set at Santa Cruz Lake. Courtesy photoSTATE News:
ESPAÑOLA — A dog was strangled to death Nov. 25 in a trap on public land. The incident happened at Santa Cruz Lake, a Bureau of Land Management recreation area in northern New Mexico.
The dog, Roxy, was the cherished companion of Dave Clark and his wife Kathrina of Española. Clark and Roxy were finishing their hike and returning to his vehicle when he heard Roxy, behind him, make a strange sound. When he turned to see why, he saw that she was struggling in a neck snare trap.
Clark Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Announces More Appointments
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 8, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamSTATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced additional Cabinet and executive branch appointments.
The governor announced the following appointees:
- Brian Blalock: Children, Youth and Families Department;
- Pam Coleman: State Personnel Office;
- James Kenney: Environment Department;
- Kathy Kunkel: Department of Health; and
- Mark Shea: Department of Public Safety.
“This is an incredible group of talented, dedicated professionals, and I’m honored by their willingness to come do this important work with us,” Lujan
Read More Hindu Mantras Open NM Senate And House Feb. 7
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 8, 2019
Hindu statesman Rajan ZedSTATE News:
Both New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives in Santa Fe will open their Feb. 7 sessions with Hindu mantras, containing verses from world’s oldest existing scripture.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed will deliver the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before the Senate and House. After Sanskrit delivery, he then will read the English interpretation of the prayer. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism,
Read More AFL-CIO: Veterans Among Hardest Hit With Shutdown
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 8, 2019
Will AttigAFL-CIO News:
Statement from AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council Executive Director Will Attig on the government shutdown:
It is disgraceful that an estimated 248,400 veterans across the country are not receiving paychecks because of dysfunction in Washington, D.C. Our veterans who continue to serve by protecting our borders, guarding prisoners and stopping terrorist attacks at airport do not deserve to be used as political pawns.
Many of our union veterans believe we should improve border security but their financial security should not be put at stake.
Read More Youth; Low-Income Communities Would Benefit From Outdoor Equity Fund In 2019 Legislative Session
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 8, 2019
STATE News:LAS CRUCES ― Low-income youth and their families could soon have expanded opportunities to access state parks, federal public lands, and a variety of outdoor recreation and education opportunities as part of a statewide and national coalition effort to establish an Outdoor Equity Fund in the 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session.
New Mexico State Rep. Angelica Rubio (D-35) will introduce the bill, which is tied to the creation of a New Mexico Office of Outdoor Recreation, a priority economic development initiative that New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham has
Read More Udall, Merkley On Democracy Reform Package
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 7, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) applauded House Democrats’ introduction of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a comprehensive democracy reform package to fight corruption and fix broken politics.
Udall and Merkley will introduce companion legislation in the U.S. Senate in the coming weeks. The legislation builds off of the We The People Democracy Reform package, which Udall and Merkley introduced in the 115th Congress. Udall and Merkley issued the following joint statement:
“Today, Democrats are opening
Read More Oil Conservation Commission To Review Hilcorp Decision To Double Well Density In San Juan Area
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 7, 2019
STATE News:SANTA FE ― Thanks to the commitment of Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham and her Secretary-designate Sarah Propst Cottrell in making citizen and advocate voices a part of government, the application for Texas-based Hilcorp Energy Co. to double its well density in the San Juan area will be reconsidered at a hearing Tuesday, Jan. 8.
On her first day in office, Commissioner Garcia Richard requested that the Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) review its prevision decision regarding the Hilcorp application. The three-member
Read More New Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Shares Vision For Her Office In First Interview
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 6, 2019
New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard in her new office Friday afternoon in downtown Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
In her very first interview after just three days on the job, New Mexico’s newly elected Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, (SGR), shared her vision with the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Sitting in her expansive office Friday afternoon in downtown Santa Fe, SGR discussed the hard-fought race she won against former land commissioner Patrick Lyons Read More
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján Joins House Democrats In Introducing H.R. 1: For The People Act
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 6, 2019
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) has joined House Democrats in introducing H.R. 1, the For the People Act.
The legislation, sponsored by Congressman Jon Sarbanes (D-MD), would enact reforms to expand Americans’ access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants across all three branches of government.
“I am thrilled to join my colleagues in introducing this historic reform package to restore the promise of our nation’s democracy,
Read More Rep. Angelica Rubio Embarks On Historic Bike Ride
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 5, 2019
Rep. Angelica RubioSTATE News:
LAS CRUCES ― Rep. Angelica Rubio of New Mexico House Dist. 35 began her near 300-mile bicycle ride Friday from Las Cruces to Santa Fe.
Rubio left from Klein Park in the historic Mesquite District. The send-off included a blessing from members of the Piro Manso-Tiwa Indian Tribe del Pueblo de San Juan de Guadalupe.
“It’s my hope that by cycling to the capital I can encourage a greater sense of connection between the southern part of New Mexico and the legislative process,” Rep. Rubio said.
The representative will be holding meet-and-greets
Read More AFT President On Governor’s First Executive Orders
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 4, 2019
Randi WeingartenAFT News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Statement of American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first executive orders to replace the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers standardized test, known as PARCC, and transition away from New Mexico’s overreliance on value-added methodology as a measure of educator effectiveness:
“The executive orders by Gov. Lujan Grisham make clear that, at least in New Mexico, the days of reducing students to a test score and rating educators
Read More Heinrich Sworn To 2nd Term As U.S. Senator For NM
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 4, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich sworn in for his second term as a U.S. senator representing New Mexico by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. Courtesy photoU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) was sworn in Thursday for his second term as a U.S. senator representing New Mexico.
In a video to constituents, Heinrich shared his commitment to continue fighting for New Mexico’s values and priorities.
“Today, I start my new term in the U.S. Senate and I want you to know that I’m as committed as ever to delivering real results for New Mexico,”
Read More Udall Continues Serving On Five Key Committees
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 4, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom UdallU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) welcomed the opening of the 116th Congress and announced that he will continue to serve on five key committees for New Mexico:
- Committee on Appropriations
- Committee on Indian Affairs – Vice Chairman
- Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
- Committee on Foreign Relations
- Committee on Rules and Administration
“I’m deeply honored to continue serving New Mexico as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations, Indian Affairs, Commerce, Foreign Relations, and Rules
Read More Gov. Lujan Grisham Issues Executive Orders On PARCC; Lt. Gov. Morales To Assume Duties Of PED Secretary
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 4, 2019
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham From the Office Of Gov. Lujan Grisham:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday ordered the state’s Public Education Department to immediately take the steps necessary to terminate New Mexico’s use of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers standardized test, commonly known as PARCC.
Lujan Grisham, in an executive order, called on the department to immediately begin working with key stakeholders to identify and implement a more effective, more appropriate and less intrusive method for assessing
Read More 2018 Los Alamos County Highlights
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 3, 2019
Los Alamos County Municpal Building at 1000 Central Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
2018 proved to be an interesting year for Los Alamos County. Efforts to enhance local tourism expanded, more housing projects were approved and a few members of council concluded their terms.
Here are a few highlights for the local government in 2018.
Changes for Los Alamos County Council
There were several changes on the dais for Los Alamos County Council Read More
