Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

State Auditor Wayne Johnson Designates Regional Coalition Of LANL Communities For Special Audit

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2018

State Auditor Wayne Johnson

From the Office of the State Auditor:

SANTA FE – State Auditor Wayne Johnson today designated the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities (RCLC) for a special audit.

The designation comes after serious concerns about travel and entertainment reimbursements, including reimbursements for alcoholic beverages, baseball tickets, and first class flights using taxpayer money, possible double reimbursements and procurement issues.

The RCLC is a publicly-funded coalition of nine cities, towns, counties and pueblos near the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Los Alamos Read More

Assessor Ken Milder Announces Bid For Reelection

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

Los Alamos County Assessor Ken Milder stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post today to announce his decision to run for reelection to the office he has held since Jan. 1, 2015. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

caclark@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Assessor Ken Milder announced his decision to run for reelection during a meeting today at the Los Alamos Daily Post.

“I actually considered running for County Council but there are some things that Deputy Assessor Joaquin Valdez and I want to do related to new technology and things that will

Heinrich Bipartisan Bill To Establish Tech-Transfer Program Clears Senate Energy Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) bipartisan Energy Technology Maturation Act was passed Thursday out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The legislation, cosponsored by Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), would authorize an Energy Technology Maturation Program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to facilitate successful commercialization of laboratory-developed

NM Supreme Court Upholds Water Sacrifice Zones

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

NM SUPREME COURT News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a stunning and puzzling decision in its long-awaited review of the Copper Rule.

The case could set precedent for how the State of New Mexico protects water at all industrial sites.

“We are very disappointed with the New Mexico Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold the Martinez Administration’s rule to weaken New Mexico’s Water Quality Act” stated Allyson Siwik, Executive Director of Silver City-based Gila Resources Information Project.

“The

Lujan Grisham Welcomes Sandia Pricing Preference She Championed For New Mexico Businesses

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham welcomes the announcement from Sandia Laboratories that they are implementing a 5 percent New Mexico small business pricing preference that she championed.

The pricing preference will help New Mexico small businesses compete for Sandia subcontracts against out-of-state companies.

In a letter sent in March 2016 to then-Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Lujan Grisham encouraged DOE to preserve and expand Sandia’s economic footprint in the

Udall On Resignation Of US Ambassador To Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Roberta Jacobson, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, announced her resignation:

“With the resignation of Ambassador Jacobson, the State Department is losing an exceptional public servant whose expertise and determination have been critical to sustaining a strong relationship with Mexico, one of our most vital allies. I commend Ambassador Jacobson for her years of invaluable service

U.S. Sen. Heinrich Questions Witnesses During Senate Intel Hearing On Security Clearance Reform

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned witnesses during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence open hearing on the security clearance process for both government and industry alike.

Heinrich raised concerns about the rules governing interim Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances, an issue that came to light following the departure of White House aide Rob Porter because of his record of domestic abuse against his former wives, and the downgrading

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján Lays Out 2018 Priorities

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2018

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

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

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján moved more than 1,500 Democrats statewide to action, rallying them Saturday during the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s Pre-Primary Convention to take back Congress in the 2018 midterm elections.

Luján focused on key issues for the Democratic Party such as veterans needs, healthcare, women’s rights and an economy that works for middle class families.

He also highlighted the importance of the 2018 midterm elections.

“2018 is a year of opportunity. Previous

Sunshine Week: Open Government Is Good Government

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2018

By BONNIE PAGE

General Counsel

Smarsh

National Sunshine Week 2018 begins today and runs through March 17.

“The basic purpose of FOIA is to ensure an informed citizenry, vital to the functioning of a democratic society, needed to check against corruption and to hold the governors accountable to the governed.” … United States Supreme Court in NLRB v. Robbins Tire Co., 437 U.S. 214, 242 (1978)

July 4, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the first Federal sunshine law in the U.S. The text of the bill stated that “a democracy works best when people have all the information Read More

Udall, Bipartisan Group Of Senators Introduce Critical School Safety Legislation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Students, Teachers and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018, legislation that invests in early intervention and prevention programs to stop school violence before it happens — including providing key resources to strengthen school safety in Native communities.

The STOP School Violence Act authorizes the Department of Justice to make

New Mexico Democratic Party Pre-Primary Convention Results, Platform And Scenes

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich who is running for reelection excoriates Republicans during his presentation at the Democratic Party of New Mexico Pre-Primary Convention Saturday at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Photo by George Chandler

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan who is running for reelection does his mom, left, proud as he enunciates the theme of the convention: ‘Take it Back’. Photo by George Chandler

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham who is running for governor starts her speech, a protestor interrupts and is removed by security, MLG reacts, resumes, calls for respect for opposing views. Read More

State Auditor Begins Statewide Training Sessions To Stop Corruption And Waste Of Taxpayer Funds

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2018

State Auditor Wayne Johnson

STATE News:

SILVER CITY ― State Auditor Wayne Johnson hit the road today in his efforts to stop corruption and waste in government spending.

He kicked off a statewide tour to train local officials and CPAs who partner with Johnson’s office to conduct audits of government entities. This annual training teaches new regulations and processes to spot waste, fraud and abuses of public money, like the $12,000 in personal credit card charges recently found in Silver City municipal government.

“These trainings are an important step in

SGR Presents Legislative Wrap-up To Rotary Club

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2018

Dist. 43 State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard recently presented a legislative wrap-up at a Rotary Club meeting, describing this year’s session at the Roundhouse. Photo by Rob Metcalf Read More

Heinrich Presses National Intelligence Director On Russia Sanctions, Cyber Deterrence Strategy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday on Worldwide Threats.

VIDEO: Heinrich Presses National Intelligence Director On Russia Sanctions, Cyber Deterrence

During the hearing, Heinrich pressed DNI Coats on whether the Intelligence Community had been instructed to provide analysis to support the Treasury Department’s decision not to impose sanctions on Russia despite

Udall, Heinrich Introduce Resolution To Celebrate Latina Women During Women’s History Month

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2018

Courtesy/FSN

U.S. SENATE News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich introduced a resolution to celebrate and recognize the heritage, culture and contributions of Latinas in New Mexico and throughout the United States during National Women’s History Month.

“New Mexico’s rich history has been written in large part by Latina women who defined our values, enriched our culture, and helped our state and nation thrive: activists, teachers, artists, professionals, leaders, thinkers, scientists, public officials,” Udall said. “This Read More

Greater Chaco Advocates Descend On BLM

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2018

SIERRA CLUB News:

Celebrating Lease Sale Deferral, Pressing for Permanent Protections and Planning … #ItsNotOver

SANTA FE – Dozens of Greater Chaco advocates rallied in front of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) state office in Santa Fe Wedensday to claim victory over last week’s announcement that parcels slated for auction near Chaco Culture National Historical Park would be deferred until further action.

Impacted community members delivered resolutions from Navajo Nation Chapters and Pueblos, and more than 200,000 public comments pressing for a moratorium on fracking in Read More

Balderas Sues Massive Solar Company For Defrauding New Mexicans, Jeopardizing Their Home Ownership

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2018

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Thursday he filed a lawsuit against Vivint Solar, Inc., and related companies (“Vivint”).

Balderas’ lawsuit claims Vivint was engaging in unfair and unconscionable business practices including clouding titles to consumers’ homes, fraud and racketeering in connection with its residential solar power purchase agreements and solar equipment.

Through its investigation, the Office of the Attorney General has learned there are hundreds of clouded titles

Udall Urges Trump To Support Historic Infrastructure Plan To Create Jobs, Invest In New Mexico Communities

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement Wednesday in support of a Democrat-led proposal to invest in roads, bridges, schools, universal broadband, public lands, and clean energy:

“I have long argued that we need a robust, long-term infrastructure plan to strengthen our communities, help us prepare for the future, and create thousands of jobs in New Mexico and across our country. Smart investments in roads and bridges, universal broadband, ports of entry, public lands, water and sewer projects,

NEA-New Mexico: Election Recommendations For State Treasurer, Attorney General And Secretary Of State

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 9, 2018

NEA News:

NEA-New Mexico Announces Election Recommendations for State Treasurer, Attorney General and Secretary of State

National Education Association – New Mexico President Betty Patterson and our elected Education Political Action Committee (EdPAC) announced today our Recommendation to our members of the 2018 re-election campaigns of: