Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Legislature Joint Statement On No Harassment Policy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

STATE LEGISLATURE News:

SANTA FE ― Leaders from both the House and Senate of the New Mexico Legislature have announced the following plan to address the issue of sexual harassment in the Legislature:

Everyone who conducts business with or on behalf of the legislature should be able to do so in a safe and productive environment. Individuals who have experienced harassment of any kind must feel assured that they can come forward without fear of personal or political retribution. And, every case brought forward must be addressed swiftly and fairly, through a clearly outlined

Pearce Statement On Final Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Plan

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released their final Mexican Wolf Recovery Program’s plan:

“I appreciate the Fish and Wildlife Service’s attempt at greater collaboration with local governments and communities as they finalized this plan, unfortunately the plan itself continues to fall short. It once again places the burden of recovery on the backs of New Mexicans and disregards the serious concerns of ranchers and farmers

Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes Urges Legislature To Address Physical And Verbal Harassment

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes

SENATE News:

SANTA FE — Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes (R-Albuquerque) has sent a letter to New Mexico House and Senate Leaders urging them to include the topics of physical and verbal harassment in their announced mandatory training and “No Harassment” policy revisions.

Maestas Barnes made her request after describing incidents of physical and verbal intimidation she experienced during previous legislative sessions.

“I share my story now because I believe it raises important issues about how matters of harassment are

Governor Appoints Wayne Johnson NM State Auditor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

Wayne Johnson

SANTA FE — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez appointed Bernalillo County Commissioner and business owner Wayne Johnson as New Mexico State Auditor.

Johnson is currently serving his second term as a Bernalillo County Commissioner where he was elected as Vice Chair in 2016. Johnson is also the owner and president of Vista Media Productions, Inc. and a member of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.

“It is very clear from Wayne Johnson’s background that he will put the interests of New Mexicans first as State Auditor,” said Governor Susana Martinez. “As a county Read More

Michelle Garcia Holmes Announces Candidacy For Lt. Governor Of New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

Michelle Garcia Holmes

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― New Mexico native Michelle Garcia Holmes announced her candidacy Thursday for Lieutenant Governor.

With the experience of 30 years as a commissioned law enforcement officer, chief of staff for Attorney General Gary King, and advocate for children, Garcia Holmes will work hard to make New Mexico a better place to live and raise a family.

“People need jobs and they need to feel safe in their homes and their communities,” Garcia Holmes said. “We have to build a brighter future for New Mexico by addressing

Luján Pushes Funding For Opioid Treatment

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) Nov. 30 sent a letter to the leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee urging continued investment to combat the opioid epidemic.

Earlier this year, Lujan introduced legislation that would provide $2.5 billion in additional funding for five years at the rate of $500 million a year.

More than 64,000 people in the U.S. died of drug overdoses in 2016, the deadliest year on record. That number represents a nationwide increase of more than 20

LWV Lunch With A Leader Features Becky Oertel, Cristina Olds And Anagha Dandekar

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

LWVLA News:

This month’s League of Women Voters community event, Lunch with a Leader is Dec. 12 and will feature three women from Voices of Los Alamos, Becky Oertel, Cristina Olds and Anagha Dandekar.

The lunch begins at 11:45 a.m. upstairs at Mesa Public Library.

The women will discuss how and why they formed Voices of Los Alamos, the activities they have accomplished and their plans for the future.

Oertel grew up in Los Alamos and is the daughter of Jay and Carol Wechsler, who were active volunteers and founding members of the Los Alamos Community. After obtaining a degree in Biochemistry from Read More

Tim Keller Steps Down As State Auditor, Names Kevin Sourisseau As Acting Deputy State Auditor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

Former State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Tim Keller officially submitted his resignation Thursday to step down as New Mexico State Auditor in order to be sworn in as Mayor of Albuquerque.

Keller was elected to the position in 2014, becoming one of the youngest State Auditors in the country. He has focused on making government work better by providing transparency and accountability for public funds in New Mexico. Keller appointed the office’s Director of Special Investigations Kevin Sourisseau to serve as Acting Deputy State Auditor.

“Serving

Udall Presses DHS Nominee Nielsen On Sensitive Location Policy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 4, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall pressed Kirstjen Nielsen, President Trump’s nominee to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to commit to adhering to longstanding federal policies regarding immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and religious institutions.

During a meeting with Nielsen ahead of her confirmation hearings, Udall expressed his serious concern about reports of ongoing violations of DHS’s existing policies

Mayor-Elect Tim Keller: Executive Team Appointments

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 3, 2017

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Mayor-Elect Tim Keller has announced two appointments to executive positions at the Albuquerque Mayor’s office. Keller is committed to building a qualified and professional administration to address the challenges facing Albuquerque head on.

“During this historically short transition period, we’re crafting a leadership team to take over operations on day one, while implementing our vision for a safe, innovative and inclusive city,” Keller said. “We’re building a talented team to tackle Albuquerque’s challenges head on.

Luján: 2017 Nominees To U.S. Service Academies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 3, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) Thursday announced that he has nominated 29 students from northern New Mexico to enter the United States Service Academies as part of the freshman class of 2018.

“Our state has a long tradition of serving our nation in all the branches of our military. Having the chance to nominate some of New Mexico’s best and brightest young people to our United States Service Academies is a distinct honor for me each year,” Luján said. “I am proud of each and every one of these students,

NM Delegation Announces Senate Passage Of Bill To Promote Preservation Of Native American Languages

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 3, 2017

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Luján, and Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the full Senate passed the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act by unanimous consent late Wednesday.

The bill, S. 254, is backed by the full N.M. delegation and provides grants to Native American language educational organizations

State Gets $455M In Interior Energy Disbursements

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 2, 2017

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced Thursday that New Mexico’s energy production disbursements, through the Interior Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), totaled $455 million in Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 2017).

This represents a significant increase of $86.5 from the previous year’s total. The funds are derived from energy and minerals produced on Federal and Indian lands, as well as U.S. offshore areas.

“Under President Trump’s American Energy Dominance agenda, we’ve increased energy funds by

State Auditor Reveals Nearly $145,000 Likely Stolen From Deming Public Schools

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 2, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Thursday, State Auditor Tim Keller released a special audit of Deming Public Schools.

The audit resulted in 19 findings and identified nearly $145,000 in public funds that were likely stolen from the District. State Auditor Keller designated Deming Public Schools for a special audit after receiving information from the school district about the potential mishandling of money by a former employee.

“We see our fair share of fraud, but it’s especially disappointing to see tens of thousands of dollars apparently

Council Approves Changes To Rules And Procedures

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 1, 2017

County Attorney Alvin Leaphart discusses proposed changes to the Council’s rules and procedures at Tuesday’s council meeting. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

After some deliberation, Los Alamos County Council approved changes in its rules and procedures during Tuesday night’s regular council meeting in Council Chambers. Although the changes were approved; they will not go into effect until after Jan. 1.

Council approved the changes 5-1 with Council

World Futures: Money, Trade, Value And Time Part 8

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 1, 2017

By ANDY ANDREWS
Los Alamos World
Futures Institute

In part seven of this series we ended with three types of money on the table: gold (and other precious metals), fiat money (paper notes or data entries on a cyber ledger) backed by a government entity, and bitcoins backed by trust in no one other than the users.

In all cases, value is accrued by perception and is essential for timely trade (in exchange for goods and services). And we use government controlled banking systems to facilitate the process except when the monetary medium is physical (paper money or gold) or non-government bits and bytes Read More

Heinrich Statement On Air Force Domestic Violence Reporting Deficiencies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 30, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Following the release of the Air Force’s preliminary findings of its domestic violence reporting deficiencies that allowed the Sutherland Springs, Texas shooter to purchase firearms, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is calling for the immediate consideration of the Domestic Violence Loophole Closure Act; bipartisan legislation he introduced with U.S. Senators Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to close the background check loophole.

UC Representatives Discuss LANL Bid With RCLC

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 30, 2017

University of California representatives listen to members of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities during a meeting Wednesday morning in Espanola. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Former U.S. Rep. Ellen Tauscher, University of California Regent for National Laboratories and Gary Valle of the UC Federal Government Relations Office at a Wednesday breakfast meeting with the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Read More

Chrobocinski Files Tort Claim Against County

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 30, 2017

Councilor James Chrobocinski

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Councilor James Chrobocinski, a local realtor, has filed a tort claim against Los Alamos County alleging severe abuse of power, harassment and being lied to by Los Alamos County Fire Marshall Jeff Wetteland and Chief Building Inspector Michael Arellano.

The claim is connected to a property on Sherwood Avenue in White Rock recently purchased by Chrobocinski and the future home of the Pig & Fig Café.

Chrobocinski alleges in his claim that Arellano and Wetteland came into Read More

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Introduces ‘Protecting Wounded Warriors Right To Serve Act’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 30, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce introduced H.R. 4453, the “Protecting Wounded Warriors Right To Serve Act”, which enables Wounded Warriors to continue serving in the emerging field of Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPA), regardless of their military branch.

“Today’s service men and women face dangers in an ever-evolving battlefield, including IEDs, suicide bombers, and a host of brutal tactics that have left countless soldiers permanently injured. Many times, these men and women want to continue

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