Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Los Alamos County Officials Announce Washington Trip To Address Triad Taxability Issue

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2018

Los Alamos County Council Chair David Izraelevitz and Vice Chair Chris Chandler discuss their itinerary for their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. Also traveling are fellow Councilor Morrie Pongratz and County Manager Harry Burgess. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Just 24 hours ahead of its special session on the budget impact of Triad National Security, LLC taking over the Los Alamos National Laboratory management and operating contract, Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved travel Read More

Governor Signs Executive Order To Improve New Mexico’s Occupational Licensing System

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2018

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

CLOVIS ― Tuesday, Gov. Susana Martinez was joined by Air Force Officials, at Cannon Air Force Base, to sign an executive order that creates economic and employment opportunities for New Mexicans by ensuring occupational license requirements are not overly burdensome for individuals and businesses, as well as eliminating outdated regulations and aligning best practices across the state’s licensing bodies.

The executive order also contains specific provisions to aid military families stationed in the state.

“Our men and

Rio Grande Chapter Of Sierra Club Endorses Christine Chandler For House Dist. 43

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2018

Dist. 43 candidate Christine Chandler

SIERRA CLUB News:

SANTA FE ― The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club has announced its endorsement of Christine Chandler of Los Alamos for House Dist. 43.

Chandler recently won the Democratic primary and will face Republican Lisa Shin of Los Alamos in the general election this November.

“I have been an avid outdoor enthusiast and animal lover my entire life and am committed to addressing the serious threats to our water, open spaces, and wildlife,” Chandler said. “We can and must do more to protect our communities from fires and

Public Notice: 2018 Primary Election Recount For Libertarian Candidates For Gov and Lt. Gov July 11

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2018

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County will begin a 2018 Primary Election Recount of the Libertarian write-in candates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in the County Clerk Warehouse on the west side of the Municipal Building next to the loading dock at 1000 Central Ave.

Click here to read the Order for Recount: https://www.losalamosnm.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6435726/File/Government/Elected%20Officials/Clerks/Lib%20Recount%20Order%20-%20Signed.pdf

Udall And Heinrich On Supreme Court Nomination

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 10, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen Tom Udall (D-NM) and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) released the statements after President Trump announced Monday he is nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court:

Sen. Udall:

“It is the Senate’s constitutional duty to advise and consent on Supreme Court nominees. But after Mitch McConnell made a mockery of the Supreme Court nomination process in 2016, the only advice and consent that Donald Trump has sought out is from the extreme, right-wing groups who hand-picked this nominee. The president Read More

Governor Announces Expansion Of Albuquerque Manufacturing Facility

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 10, 2018

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Gov. Susana Martinez was joined by company executives and local officials Monday to break ground on the expansion of Vitality Works’ Albuquerque manufacturing facility.

The expansion will create up to 80 new manufacturing jobs. Vitality Works will also invest more than $7 million in their facility. The expansion will be supported by New Mexico’s closing fund, LEDA, as well as the Job Training Incentive Program, JTIP.

“For years, we’ve worked relentlessly to make New Mexico a great place

A Path Forward On Net Neutrality

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 10, 2018

By PATRICIA FORD

York Dispatch Contributor

Of the many unmistakable and powerful messages coming from voters after the Parkland massacre, one is the notion that Americans are tired of leaders putting politics ahead of the nation’s business. Members of Congress, for their own good, should see this canary in the coal mine, not just on gun safety but just about everything else as well.

And while protecting the open internet may not, rightfully, stir the same passions as protecting our children from semi-automatic weapons, the devolving debate about internet freedom illustrates

GOP Holds Monthly Meeting At UNM-LA Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 10, 2018

GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos County meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12 in Jeannette Wallace Hall, Building 5 at the University of New Mexico – Los Alamos.

Following a short meeting to hear from candidate representatives and plan for upcoming activities, the Central Committee will convene to fill two officer vacancies.

For more information or questions, contact John Bliss at 505.672.4059. Read More

Scenes From Jemez Springs Independence Day Parade

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 9, 2018

The Los Alamos Hill Stompers, stomping away in the park during the annual 4th of July Parade in Jemez Springs. Photo by George Chandler

A crowd of supporters marching for Democratic House Dist. 43 candidate Christine Chandler of Los Alamos in the Jemez Springs 4th of July Parade. Photo by George Chandler

House Dist. 43 candidate Christine Chandler of Los Alamos distributes icy treats to thirsty spectators during the 4th of July Parade in Jemez Springs. Photo by George Chandler

The flag. Photo by George Chandler

Marchers. Photo by George Chandler

Hummingbird Music Camp. Photo by George Chandler Read More

District Judge Sets Hearing Date In Greg White’s Suit Against Los Alamos County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 9, 2018

First Judicial District Judge Greg Shaffer

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

A case filed Jan. 12 in First Judicial District Court by Greg White against the Los Alamos County Council, County Manager Harry Burgess, County Attorney Alvin Leaphart, Assistant County Attorney Katie Thwaits and Police Chief Dino Sgambellone is on Judge Greg Shaffer’s Aug. 2 docket for hearings on several issues.

White, who filed as an Independent candidate Thursday for Los Alamos County Sheriff, is asking the Court in the case to order the Council to “stop inserting words into

Democratic Party Of Los Alamos Meets Monday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 8, 2018

DPLA News:

The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 9 in Building 05 at UNM-LA.

The subject of this meeting will be brainstorming for the upcoming election. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of multiple campaigns, never volunteered for us before, or somewhere in between, please attend our meeting this Monday. We’ll discuss ideas for this year’s election season and would especially welcome any new ideas for involving volunteers and getting voters to the polls.

This will

Balderas Joins 20 AG’s In Opposition To U.S. Supreme Court Decision That Cuts Back On Union Rights

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 7, 2018

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― AG Balderas has joined 20 Democratic attorneys general, in strongly disagreeing with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31.

The case involved public employees paying fees to support the cost of critical representation during collective bargaining. These union fees, along with member dues, are used to represent all employees – both union and non-union employees.

“Our teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and other public employees – often underpaid and whose pensions

New Mexico Federation Of Labor: 2018 Endorsements

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 7, 2018

NMFL News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― The New Mexico Federation of Labor released the following statement:

“We are proud to endorse these candidates for Legislative, Statewide, and Public Regulation Commission offices in 2018. The New Mexico Federation of Labor’s Committee on Political Education held a convention and asked candidates to complete questionnaires detailing their positions on both public and private sector labor issues in New Mexico, and based on their responses and tenure in office, it is clear each of these candidates share our values.

At a time in our country

Letter To The Editor: Janus Decision Highly Amusing, Refreshing

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

By RICHARD NEBEL

Los Alamos

This is a response to two recent articles in the Los Alamos Daily Post, one by the Rio Grande Foundation and another by the American Federation of Labor, concerning the Janus decision. I hate to say this, but I think the whole thing is highly amusing. I know the plaintiff, Mark Janus. He’s the same age I am and I grew up with him (church, Boy Scouts, school). I haven’t seen him since high school, but this whole episode is entirely in character.

Mark Janus isn’t some right wing political activist. I remember him as being a bit of an obnoxious loudmouth. He

Democratic Party Welcomes Heinrich To Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) speaks to a large gathering of Los Alamos Democrats Thursday evening during his Meet & Greet at Unquarked in Central Park Square. Heinrich was in town as part of a campaign sweep during which he visited Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Council Chair Christine Chandler, a candidate for House Dist. 43, speaks with fellow Democrats Thursday evening at UnQuarked. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Karyl Ann Armbruster, secretary of the NM PED

Lujan Grisham Releases Plan To Fight Fires

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Monday, U.S. Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham released her plan to prevent and fight fires in New Mexico.

“As families throughout New Mexico prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, federal and state parks across our state are closed because of severe fire threats. The changing climate and ongoing drought mean that New Mexico is at an even greater risk to experience devastating fires this season. With nine fires currently burning our lands, it’s critical that we develop a strategy to control

Officials Weigh In On EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Resignation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt

EPA News:

A variety of officials released statements today following President Donald Trump’s announcement via Twitter that he has accepted the resignation of embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt:

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall: “Scott Pruitt’s tenure at EPA was an utter disgrace. He should have been fired long ago. Pruitt embodies everything about the ‘swamp’ that President Trump claimed he wanted to end – and the fact that Pruitt was kept around this long shows that the president never cared about rooting out corruption or self-dealing Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Visits Los Alamos Daily Post

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich is introduced to Los Alamos Daily Post student intern Connor Hoch during his visit this afternoon to the newspaper to meet with the news team. Hoch is a freshman at Los Alamos High School who is spending his summer working at the newspaper. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON

Los Alamos Daily Post

bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post world headquarters this afternoon and spoke with staff about tech transfer, Los Alamos National Laboratory and other topics.

“Every year, the DOE gets Read More

Heinrich Conservation Measures Clear Senate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced the passage of several conservation measures that he has championed to improve the health and resiliency of New Mexico’s forests and watersheds.

The measures were included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which passed the Senate with an 86 to 11 vote.

Included in the Farm Bill are provisions from Heinrich’s bipartisan Restoring America’s Watersheds Act to improve the health of watersheds on national forest

Secretary Zinke Announces $42.6 Million In Payments To New Mexico To Support Vital Community Services

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has announced that 32 local governments in New Mexico are receiving a total of $42.6 million under the 2018 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to local communities.

This is the largest amount ever allocated in the program’s 40-year history. A full list of funding by state and county is available at www.doi.gov/pilt.

“Local communities contribute significantly to our nation’s economy, food and energy supply, and help define the character

LOS ALAMOS

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