Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Luján: What President’s Day Means To Me

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 19, 2018

By U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District

When I was young, I remember reading about great Presidents in American history. I read about the accomplishments of Presidents like Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt. They carried heavy burdens understanding the effect of every decision they made. They also represented the best of American values, and inspired younger generations to carry those values into their daily lives and into their hopes and dreams.

Being President of the United States comes with tremendous responsibility. The American people trusts that any President Read More

Letter To The Editor: A President’s Day Lament

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 19, 2018

By BILL MEAD

Los Alamos

The USA is caught in a slow-motion disaster, the worst in several decades.

The roots of the disaster are deep, but the rise of the neo-conservative movement, Fox News, a fleet of conservative pundits, and the Tea Party mark the beginning. These new forces have led to the emergence of a radical, populist constituency with leadership such as Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump who are intent on changing the core values and government of the USA—whatever it takes.

By 2016, this long-standing political divide had hardened into a fierce partisan battle for the Presidency. Read More

Celebrate How Presidents Shaped National Parks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 19, 2018

The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial is on a small island in the Potomac River. Congress approved funds in 1960 and the memorial was dedicated Oct. 27, 1967. Courtesy/NPF

National Park Foundation:

As we observe Presidents Day, the National Park Foundation remembers the leaders who helped shape the nation’s public lands.

The lessons of conservation and protection passed down by these trailblazing Presidents have given us the beautiful parks that we know and love.

For example, President Lincoln set aside a large section of the Yosemite Valley for public use – the first time that had ever been done Read More

Voices Of Los Alamos: One Year Later

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 19, 2018

By Cristina Olds and Elena Giorgi

Voices Of Los Alamos

This February, Voices of Los Alamos is celebrating one year of successfully bringing people together in action by holding meetings, getting involved politically, and supporting local actions.

Some activities Voices participated in last year include Day Without a Woman with 200 participants in March, March for Science with 2,500 marchers in April, and a vigil for protesters killed in Charlottesville with 80 attendees in August.

Local issues we supported with letter Read More

President’s $1 Billion Budget Proposal For BLM Supports Access To Public Lands For Multiple Uses

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 18, 2018

BLM News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In keeping with the Administration’s goal of securing America’s energy dominance, President Trump has proposed a $1 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget for the Bureau of Land Management that will provide resources to promote energy development on public lands while expanding access to recreation and conservation areas.

The President’s proposal provides resources to support the Administration’s goals and meets the BLM’s multiple-use and sustained yield mission in other areas. The budget focuses on the BLM’s field operations, including being

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Honors Black History Month

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 18, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, cosponsor of a resolution authored by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) marking February as Black History Month, released the following statement honoring the contributions of African Americans in New Mexico and across the nation:

“Each February, we celebrate the immeasurable and indelible contributions that African Americans have made to our state and our nation. In the face of relentless oppression and centuries of discrimination, black people have persevered and pressed on — bringing this

DEA Creates New Resource To Help Distributors Avoid Oversupplying Opioids

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2018

DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has launched a new tool to assist drug manufacturers and distributors with their regulatory obligations under the Controlled Substances Act.

This new resource is an example of the many ways DEA is working collaboratively with its 1.73 million registrants to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.

DEA added a new feature to its ARCOS Online Reporting System, a comprehensive drug reporting system that monitors the flow of controlled substances from their point of manufacture through

Scenes From SGR’s Final ‘Sine Die’ Event

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 16, 2018

Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (SGR), right, with Los Alamos Democrat Amy Storey and friend Thursday afternoon at the Santa Fe Spirits Downtown Tasting Room for SGR’s 4th and final ‘sine die’ celebration to mark the end of the legislative session in Santa Fe. This is her final ‘sine die’ event because she is running for New Mexico Land Commissioner. If elected, she will make history as the first female and first Hispanic to hold that office. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

SGR with House Speaker Brian Egolf Thursday at her ‘sine die’ event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Steve Pearce Qualifies For Ballot As Sole GOP Candidate For Governor Of New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 16, 2018

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce:

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has officially qualified for the primary ballot as the Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico.

According to the Secretary of State, the Bureau of Elections has reviewed Pearce’s declaration of candidacy, nomination petitions, and certificate of registration and has determined they are all in proper order and timely filed.

“It’s a great honor to officially be the Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico,” Pearce said.

Udall, Heinrich Commemorate National Tribal Colleges And Universities Week

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 16, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined a bipartisan group of 22 senators in passing a resolution unanimously in the Senate recognizing the week of February 11, 2018, as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.

The resolution recognizes the unique and critically important role these institutions of higher education play in supporting Native students. It commemorates the important work of educators, students, and higher education professionals at Tribal colleges and universities, which operate on more than 75 different

Hugh Rich Enters Los Alamos County Sheriff Race

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 15, 2018

Hugh Rich announces bid for sheriff. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

caclark@ladailypost.com

Hugh Rich stopped by the Los Alamos Daily Post Wednesday to announce that he is running for Los Alamos County Sheriff.

Rich, a registered Republican, works at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He has worked in computer security at LANL for eight years and recently moved to the Chief Information Office. He has more than 20 years of experience in system administration and computer security.

Rich served as a police officer for the Los Alamos Police Read More

Chandler: My Gig At The Legislature

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 15, 2018

By CHRISTINE CHANDLER

Los Alamos

I have been privileged to work for the New Mexico Legislature over the last several sessions. I was a legislative analyst for the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Los Alamos’ Sen. Richard Martinez.

This committee comprises some of the most experienced Senators and is known for its critical consideration of bills based on sound policy, consistency with existing statutes, and constitutionality.

What does an analyst do? Not all are attorneys, some are subject matter experts. Each legislative committee and the two parties have analysts during Read More

Supreme Court Issues Ruling On State Funding Deductions For Schools Receiving Federal Impact Aid

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 15, 2018

NMSC News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Monday the Public Education Department must obtain annual certification or permission from the U.S. Department of Education before reducing monthly allotments of state equalization funding to local school districts to offset anticipated federal impact aid payments.

In a unanimous decision, the Court concluded the state agency erred in lowering monthly state funding to Zuni Public School District, #89, by about $4.6 million over 10 months during the 2010 fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

Bill To Help Fund Libraries And Historic Preservation Efforts Heads To The Governor’s Desk

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 15, 2018

House Democrats News:

SANTA FE ― Monday, a bill to allow the New Mexico State Library and the state Historic Preservation Division to fundraise for the support of their programs and services passed the Senate Floor unanimously.

House Bill 117 is sponsored by Deborah Armstrong (D-Albuquerque), and would authorize the two organizations to seek non-state funds.

“This would provide opportunity for our libraries to find support from the community. Libraries and preservation efforts are critical for New Mexicans to be able to learn and explore ideas, and this will hopefully

Bipartisan Public Safety Package Clears Another Hurdle

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 15, 2018

LEGISLATIVE News:

SANTA FE ― The bipartisan public safety package that passed the House with overwhelming support passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support today and will move to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.

The package includes bills sponsored by Representatives Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque), Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque), David E. Adkins (R-Albuquerque), Elizabeth Thomson (D-Albuquerque), and Daymon Ely (D-Corrales). This package is a bipartisan effort to keep New Mexico communities safe by using a framework that

House Education Committee Passes Teacher Raises

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2018

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, a bill to raise pay for New Mexico teachers passed the House Education Committee and now heads to the House Floor.

SB 119, sponsored by Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), would increase minimum salaries for all teacher levels.

“We have seen other bills come up around increasing teacher pay that don’t incorporate the proposed raise into the state budget, which makes it really hard to move the legislation forward. I am glad to see a bill that includes an appropriation, so we can lift up our educators who are working hard every day to provide the best education possible Read More

Vote To Put Patients First Makes History

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2018

House Democrats News:

SANTA FE ― Monday, a bipartisan bill to ensure patients get the right medication at the right time made history, and passed the House Floor.

Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Representatives Elizabeth Thomson (D-Albuquerque), Monica Youngblood (R-Albuquerque) and Senators Elizabeth Stefanics (D-Cerrillos) and Gay G. Kernan (R-Hobbs), would improve “step therapy”, the practice used by insurance companies to cut costs by requiring patients to try more affordable treatment options before more expensive ones.

SB 11 would allow doctors to skip treatments

Lab Stabilization Bill Heads To Governor’s Office!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2018

STATE News:

Senate Bill 17, the Lab Stabilization Bill, passed the House overnight 48-19 and is headed to Gov. Susana Martinez to sign into law.

SB 17 is a bill to stabilize gross receipts tax revenues received from prime contractors at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.

Prime contractors have been paying tax since 1979 at Sandia and 2006 at LANL. In Fiscal Year 2016, the State received some $162 million paid through the two Lab contracts through GRT.

SB17 is sponsored by Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, Sen. Richard C. Martinez and Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros. Read More

United States Sen. Tom Udall Holds Listening Session On Combatting Violence Against Native Women

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2018

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, cohosted a listening session on combatting violence against Native women.

In the listening session, Udall sought input from Tribes on implementing and improving the landmark legislation that amended the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to restore Tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit domestic violence crimes on Tribal lands.

“Thank you for your work and advocacy on these important issues. Congress

BLM: Revision To Methane Waste Prevention Rule

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 14, 2018

BLM News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As part of President Trump’s Executive Order 13783 promoting energy independence [Section 7 (6)(iv)] from March 28, 2017, to review and modify federal regulations that unnecessarily hinder economic growth and energy development, the Bureau of Land Management today announced a proposal to revise the 2016 final Waste Prevention Rule (also known as the venting and flaring rule).

The proposed rule would eliminate duplicative regulatory requirements and re-establish long-standing requirements that the 2016 final rule sought to replace.

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