Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Shin Joins Rio Grande Foundation Board Of Directors

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 15, 2018

RGF News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Dr. Lisa Shin, a Los Alamos optometrist, has joined the board of directors of the Rio Grande Foundation, New Mexico’s free market think tank.

“Lisa is a successful small business owner and health care provider who can bring a pragmatic, common sense approach to the issues facing New Mexico,” Rio Grande Foundation president Paul Gessing said. “These ideas are the only way this State can build a sustainable, prosperous economy.”

Through her work both political and apolitical, Dr. Shin has shown that she shares the principled support for free

Local Law Enforcement Rape Kit Backlog Cleared

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 14, 2018

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

State Crime Lab To Test Albuquerque Crime Lab Kits

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced that the State Crime Lab has cleared a backlog of 1,388 sexual assault evidence kits (SAEK) for New Mexico law enforcement agencies.

The Governor also announced that the agency will soon begin to process SAEKs for the Albuquerque crime lab to help tackle their backlog.

“Since day one, this project has been focused on bringing justice to victims of sexual assault,” Martinez said. “We’ve finished the project earlier than anticipated and provided law enforcement Read More

Final Farm Bill Includes Luján’s Priorities For Land Grants And Acequias

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 14, 2018

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) has announced that the Conference Report for H.R. 2, the final Farm Bill that will be voted on in the House, includes several of his priorities.

“I am pleased that, in addition to rejecting the House GOP’s cuts to SNAP, this final Farm Bill includes several provisions that will help New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers maintain their quality of life.

“Specifically, the final Farm Bill includes language I authored that will enable acequias to access essential federal funds. This, coupled

Farm Bill Agreement Includes Boost For Access And Habitat Programs

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 14, 2018

TRCP News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — House and Senate negotiators have reached an agreement on provisions to be included in the 2018 Farm Bill, setting lawmakers up to pass legislation that makes significant investments in land and water conservation and boosts support for hunting and fishing access.

This is welcome news to farmers, ranchers, landowners, and sportsmen and women, who depend on farm bill programs to restore and improve wildlife habitat, enhance water quality, and make private acres available for hunting and fishing.

“We’re relieved to see a Farm Bill

Heinrich Urges Reauthorization And Expansion Of Violence Against Women Act

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 14, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In a press teleconference Thursday with the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native American Women, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) called for the reauthorization and expansion of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Nationwide, the number of domestic violence incidents has been cut in half since the enactment of VAWA, and in New Mexico that number has dropped by 35 percent since 2005. One in three women still face domestic violence in New Mexico.

Full audio of the teleconference is available

Health Security For New Mexicans Campaign Director Pitches Its Plan To Los Alamos Business People

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 13, 2018

Dr. Mary Ray Cate, left, and Mary Feldblum, executive director of the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign explain the benefits of the Health Security Plan at the Chamber Business Breakfast Tuesday at UNM-LA. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON

Los Alamos Daily Post

bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Established in 1992, the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign is nothing new, but political changes have brought it more support for its proposal, the Health Security Plan. Mary Feldblum, executive director of the Campaign spoke at the Los Alamos Chamber Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce More Than $35 Million To Improve Rural Water Infrastructure In New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 13, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced $35.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to build and improve rural water and wastewater systems in New Mexico.

The awards were funded through the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, and will help ensure clean water for Tribal lands, colonias, and rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents in New Mexico. The funding, which includes over $25 million in low-cost loans and more than $10 million in

Lujan Grisham Releases Inaugural Schedule Of Events

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 13, 2018

Governor-Elect Michelle Lujan Grisham. Courtesy photo

From the Office of Governor-Elect Michelle Lujan Grisham:

ALBUQUERQUE – Governor-Elect Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today the full schedule of events to commemorate her Tuesday, Jan. 1, inauguration as Governor of New Mexico.

The inaugural theme, “Imagine a Thriving New Mexico,” highlights Lujan Grisham’s top priority as governor to jumpstart the economy for working families and build a stronger education system for New Mexico’s children.

“New Mexico has far greater opportunity than it has challenges. As governor, I will Read More

Head2Head: The Reagan-Bush Years

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 13, 2018

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Okay, I fibbed about finishing up with history this time. I’m writing extra columns this month to get past that log-jam. A lot happened in the 1980s, once I started thinking about it.

The Nixon’s fall in the wake of Watergate led to disillusionment with politics and Washington on all sides.

A mild-mannered former Democratic governor of Georgia seemed like the antidote. His inexperience with national politics and his ongoing fight with the left wing of his party hindered him but double-digit inflation, double-digit unemployment Read More

Luján, Udall, Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Fight For NM Farmers And Ranchers Impacted By Natural Disasters

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 13, 2018

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:

In letter to USDA, Lawmakers Urge Farm Service Agency To Support Rio Arriba County Farmers and Ranchers By Reconsidering Calculation For Financial Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) sent a letter Tuesday to the New Mexico State Farm Service Agency’s office about the proposed 2018 County Expected Yield/T-Yield for Rio Arriba County.

The lawmakers expressed concern that the process to determine the T-Yield value is inconsistent Read More

Who Will Lead New Mexico’s Public Education Dept.?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 12, 2018

Possible choices to head the New Mexico Publication Department under governor-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham, clockwise from top left, Cynthia Nava, Gabriella Blakey, Veronica Garcia, Stan Rounds and Ellen Bernstein. Courtesy/SNM

By ROBERT MOORE

Searchlight New Mexico

In the coming days, governor-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham will take the first major step to fulfill her sweeping campaign promises on education – appointing a secretary to lead New Mexico’s troubled Public Education Department. Her choice will speak volumes – not only about her approach to education but

Lujan Grisham Delivers Final Address On House Floor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 12, 2018

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Today, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) delivered a farewell address on the House Floor.

After serving three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Lujan Grisham will leave her role as the Representative for New Mexico’s First Congressional District at the end of December to become the new Governor of New Mexico.

Find the Floor video here and remarks as prepared for delivery below.

Mr. Speaker, I rise for what will likely be the last time I address the House.

First, thank you

WIPP Town Hall Meeting Planned Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 12, 2018

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. Courtesy/WIPP

WIPP News:

CARLSBAD ― The City of Carlsbad and the Department of Energy co-host Town Hall meetings to provide updates on the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at the City Hall Annex Council Chambers, 114 S. Halagueno St. in Carlsbad.

The Town Hall also will be broadcast over WIPP’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WIPPNews/ for those unable to attend. A Facebook account is not needed to view the event.

A Facebook account is needed

Udall, Heinrich Secure Major Wins For New Mexico Farmers, Ranchers, Dairies, Tribes In Farm Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 12, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined their colleagues in the Senate to pass the final 2018 Farm Bill – major legislation that will send needed assistance to New Mexico farmers and ranchers, and support every county in the state by protecting the farm safety net and basic social services, while also making strategic investments in broadband access, clean drinking water, rural development, telemedicine and more.

The Farm Bill, which serves as the federal government’s primary tool to provide agricultural funding

Libertarian Party Celebrates 47 Years

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 11, 2018

LIBERTARIAN PARTY News:

The Libertarian Party was conceived 47 years ago in the living room of David Nolan, and officially founded in Colorado Springs Dec. 11, 1971.

The issues that inspired the creation of the Libertarian Party in 1971 are still pressing in 2018, and have become even more serious.

The Vietnam War, the longest war in U.S. history at the time, entered its 16th year in 1971 when the United States invaded Laos in a vain attempt to shut down the Ho Chi Minh trail. That effort failed, and the war would continue until 1973 when U.S. forces withdrew in a de facto defeat. This year, the U.S. war Read More

Lujan Grisham Establishes First Ever Economic Development Broadband Grant Program In Farm Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 11, 2018

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement after the Committee moved to advance the Farm Bill to the Floor for consideration.

“I am proud to support this Farm Bill that advances the interests of New Mexican families, farmers, and ranchers for years to come,” Rep. Lujan Grisham said. “It was an honor to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect SNAP, support New Mexico Land Grants and Acequias, Read More

State Central Committee Elects Pearce RPNM Chair

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 9, 2018

Newly elected RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce

STATE GOP News:

ALBUQUERQUE – RPNM Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi congratulated incoming chairman Steve Pearce, who was elected today by an overwhelming margin at a State Central Committee meeting in Albuquerque.

“I congratulate my friend Steve Pearce on his win in the chairman’s race. Our party is in capable hands under his leadership and we will be positioned to succeed thanks to his extensive experience in management and New Mexico politics,” Cangiolosi said. “I look forward to working with him in the upcoming Read More

Udall, Beyer Introduce Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act To Safeguard America’s Biodiversity

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 8, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2018 to protect and restore fish, wildlife, and plant species, in particular, those that are at risk to habitat loss and fragmentation–a major factor in species decline and extinction.

The legislation establishes a National Wildlife Corridors Program to ensure that species are able to move between habitats by improving data use and collection and enhancing interagency and regional collaboration.

Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce $1.29 Million To North Central Regional Transit District From DOT

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 8, 2018

NCRTD News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1.29 million grant to New Mexico to fund improvements to the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) in Española.

The award, which comes through the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants program, will enable North Central RTD to build a maintenance facility, standalone vehicle wash bay, and fueling station.

“The North Central Regional Transit

Udall, Heinrich Call On ICE, CBP To Release Documents On Death Of Transgender Woman In Custody

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 8, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Ronald D. Vitiello and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan urging the immediate public release of a death review and supporting documentation on Roxana Hernández, a 33-year-old transgender woman who died at a New Mexico hospital while in ICE custody.

The senators also have requested documentation of ICE and CBP training related

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