Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Governor Announces Expansion Of Homegrown Company Advanced Network Management

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 6, 2018

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Gov. Susana Martinez announced Friday that a homegrown information technology company, Advanced Network Management, will expand to a new headquarters location in Albuquerque and create up to 40 new high quality technology and management jobs.

The company also will invest nearly $6 million in the expansion.

“It’s always a pleasure to announce that a company from right here in New Mexico is expanding and increasing their investment in our state,” Martinez said. “By making the decision

Udall Speaks As Senate Passes Interior, Environment Funding Bill 92-6

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 6, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, spoke on the Senate floor just before the full Senate passed the FY2019 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, a funding bill authored by Udall’s committee.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DBu6mzHmno&feature=youtu.be

The bill, authored in the Senate Appropriations subcommittee led by Udall and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), rejects

On 3rd Anniversary Of Gold King Mine Spill, Udall, Heinrich And Luján Denounce EPA’s Continued Failure To Compensate Victims

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 5, 2018

The Gold King Mine toxic spill as it looked three years ago. Courtesy photo

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 3rd anniversary of the Gold King Mine spill, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (all D-N.M.) denounced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s ongoing failure to compensate victims in the Navajo Nation and New Mexico – despite repeated promises to do so from former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

The New Mexico lawmakers have successfully secured millions in funding for a long-term water monitoring plan for areas Read More

Scenes From House Dist. 43 Candidate Christine Chandler At Sandoval County Fair Parade Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 5, 2018

From left, Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, Democratic nominee for House Dist. 43 Christine Chandler and Kyle Wheeler of Los Alamos participate Saturday morning in the Sandoval County Fair and parade in Cuba. Photo by George Chandler

House Dist. 43 Christine Chandler of Los Alamos participating in the Sandoval County Fair and parade Saturday morning in Cuba. Photo by George Chandler

Democratic nominee for Land Commissioner Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of White Rock participating in the Sandoval County Fair and parade Saturday morning in Cuba. Photo by George Chandler Read More

Zinke Kicks Off National Parks Infrastructure Talks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 5, 2018

Courtesy photo

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Highlighting the need to repair and rebuild our parks, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke spoke Tuesday at a bi-partisan event at the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument.

The focus of the event was on fixing and preserving national park infrastructure and the $11.6 billion maintenance backlog currently facing our nation’s 417 national parks. The Secretary was joined by Senators Rob Portman, Mark Warner, Lamar Alexander, Angus King, and Steve Daines, as well as representatives from the National Park Foundation,

House Dist. 43 Candidate Lisa Shin Participates In Sandoval County Fair Parade This Morning

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 5, 2018

Lisa Shin of Los Alamos, the Republican candidate for NM House Dist. 43, rides in her float this morning in the parade at the Sandoval County Fair. Courtesy photo Read More

Nuke Protesters Gather In Los Alamos To Commemorate 73rd Anniversary Of Hiroshima And Nagasaki

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 4, 2018

Peace activist John Dear protests nuclear weapons during a rally today that started at Ashley Pond Park and included the traditional sackcloth and ashes march and sit-in along Trinity Drive. Dear spoke to the Los Alamos Daily Post about the protest saying, ‘We gather to commemorate the 73^rd anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by calling for the closing of the Lab and the abolition of nuclear weapons … so we invite everyone to quit their jobs and become people of peace.’ Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Yosuyo Nugent from Hiroshina and now living in Santa Fe participates in today’s Read More

Los Alamos County Council Meets 6 p.m. Tuesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 4, 2018

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.

The meeting is open to the public.

Agenda:

1. OPENING/ROLL CALL

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. STATEMENT REGARDING CLOSED SESSION Aug. 7, 2018 Closed Session Motion

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

6. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

A. Proclamation declaring Thursday, August 9, 2018 as “Los Alamos Coworking Day” in Los Alamos County (accepted by Burgundy Brock, projectY

Luján, Kennedy Introduce Bill To Strengthen Kids’ Access To Health Care

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 3, 2018

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and David McKinley (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation July 26 to streamline the reimbursement process for care provided to children outside the state where they are enrolled in a Medicaid program.

The “Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act” would create an enhanced screening and enrollment process for Medicaid’s pediatric providers and suppliers when there is a low risk for fraud, waste, and abuse.

“Medicaid coverage is integral

AG Balderas Calls For Shell Company Transparency

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 3, 2018

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Attorney General Hector Balderas Thursday joined a bipartisan group of 24 attorneys general to urge leadership of the House Financial Services Committee to advance legislation improving transparency of shell corporations by requiring them to disclose who controls and profits from their activities.

Too often, anonymous shell corporations allow criminals to launder money without accountability.

“These shell companies are a safety net for bad actors who don’t play by the rules,” Balderas said. “My office

Udall, Heinrich Introduce Spotlight Act To Increase Transparency In Elections

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 3, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with 25 of their colleagues, are holding Washington accountable with a push to tear down a new Trump administration rule allowing special interests to hide those who are funding political campaigns.

The senators joined U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in officially introducing the Spotlight Act to reverse the Treasury Department’s decision that allows non-profit organizations that engage in political activity to avoid disclosing certain donor information to the Internal Revenue Service

Calling All Button Designers!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 3, 2018

Courtesy/DPLA

DPLA News:

The Democratic Party of Los Alamos is having a button design contest! Up to 10 finalists will be chosen and unveiled at the Grand Office Opening gathering with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 at 1362 Trinity. Dr., Suite B.

Attendees will purchase tickets to cast their votes (five votes for $5) for their favorite designs. The winning design will be featured and used throughout the campaign season.

Button designs can be a slogan, graphics, etc. that can fit into a 2 1/4″ diameter circle.

Send submissions to buttons@losalamosdemocrats.org.

Council Approves Animal Shelter Ad Hoc Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 3, 2018

Council Vice Chair Chris Chandler thanks fellow councilors for voting to approve an ad hoc committee to consider future alternatives for the local animal shelter. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Council voted Tuesday evening to establish an ad hoc committee to consider future alternatives for the Los Alamos Animal Control Shelter.

The agenda item was presented by Council Chair Chris Chandler and was the result of a Council workshop last month where Espanola Humane Society Executive Director Read More

Republican State Leadership Committee Releases First List Of ’18 In ’18’ Races To Watch In 2018

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 3, 2018

GOP News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) today debuted its first “18 in ’18: Races to Watch.”

Comprised of the RSLC’s Future Majority Project (FMP) and Right Women, Right Now (RWRN) candidates who are running for state-level offices around the country this year, these candidates are rising stars who will champion conservative polices while representing the full diversity of the nation. The RSLC’s FMP and RWRN initiatives both aim to identify, recruit, and support new diverse and women candidates at the state level.

The “18

Governor: Back To School Tax Free Weekend Aug. 3-5

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 2, 2018

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez announced today New Mexico’s annual back to school tax-free weekend, which aims to help families save money and prepare their students for the upcoming school year.

The tax holiday runs Aug. 3 through Aug. 5.

“Preparing to go back to school is expensive for families across New Mexico,” Martinez said. “Tax-free weekend is a great way for us to help families save their hard-earned money, as they equip their children for a successful school year.”

Friday through Sunday, vendors will not be required to collect gross Read More

New Mexico Gubernatorial Candidate Visits Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 2, 2018

New Mexico Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate and U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, visits with reporters Kirsten Laskey, right, and Bonnie Gordon and Publisher Carol A. Clark (taking photo) Wednesday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post at 1247 Central Ave. She stopped by to speak with the news team following her presentation at the LANL Subcontractors Consortium at Cottonwood on the Greens. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaking Wednesday at the LANL Subcontractors Consortium. Courtesy photo

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Read More

Statement On Commerce Department Final Newsprint Countervailing And Antidumping Decision

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 2, 2018

STOPP News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers (STOPP), a coalition of printers, publishers, retailers, paper suppliers and distributors today released the following statements regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final determination on uncoated groundwood paper imports from Canada.

“These import duties on newsprint have already caused job losses in the printing and publishing sectors and have resulted in decreased news coverage in local communities,” said David Chavern, president and CEO, News Media Alliance. “Although this is a step in the right Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Secures Major Wins For New Mexico In Annual National Defense Spending Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 2, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

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

National Defense Authorization Act heads to President’s desk for signature

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced provisions he secured in the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that support New Mexico’s men and women in uniform, military installations, national laboratories, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), and job-creating initiatives throughout the state. The bill includes an amendment sponsored Read More

Democratic Party Of New Mexico Veterans Caucus Announces New Leadership

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 2, 2018

Debra Haaland, left, candidate for US Congress-Dist. 1 and Dr. Madeline Hildebrandt the new commander/chairperson for the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. Courtesy photo

NMDP News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― The Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of New Mexico announces that Dr. Madeline “Mad” Hildebrandt, former candidate for US Congress in the 2nd District, has been elected chairperson/commander.

She replaces Greg Seeley, who has stepped down from the position of interim chairman, but has agreed to continue to serve in his former capacity of vice chairman.

Dr. Hildebrandt

Los Alamos County Officials Make Case For GRT

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on August 2, 2018

Los Alamos County Councilor Morrie Pongratz, left, listens to Vice President Michael Pence speak during a briefing Friday, July 27, at the White House. County Commissioners and County Managers in New Mexico were invited to an executive briefing as well as tour of the White House. Official White House/D. Myles Cullen