Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Lujan Grisham Urges FCC To Protect Net Neutrality

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 29, 2017

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling on the Federal Communications Commission to protect Net Neutrality and reject efforts to roll back rules that ensure the internet remains a free and open marketplace.

“A free and open internet is particularly important for a rural state like New Mexico where we must be committed to leveling the playing field for all users, regardless of their ability to pay for Internet service,” Grisham said. “I am very concerned with the proposal pending with the FCC to overturn

Regional Coalition Of LANL Communities Opposes Elimination Of Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 29, 2017

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

A proposal by its Chairman Sean Sullivan to eliminate the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) is being opposed by the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities, according to Executive Director Andrea Romero.

In a June 29 letter to the Office of Management and Budget, Sullivan proposed the elimination of the DNFSB calling it “a relic of the Cold War era defense establishment. While admitting that the DNFSB is the only agency providing independent advice, analysis and recommendations, Sullivan claimed that the Department Read More

Senators Call For Investigation Into Reported Violations Of Sensitive Locations Policy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 29, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and a group of 16 senators have called for an investigation into apparent ongoing violations of federal policies regarding immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals and religious institutions.

The senators’ letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke and Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan details the reported detention of a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who was stopped by immigration authorities

Heinrich Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Prevent And Respond To Sexual Harassment In Congress

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 28, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in Congress.

The Member and Employee Training and Oversight On (ME TOO) Congress Act introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) will require more transparency, overhaul the flawed complaint process, and provide better support for victims and whistleblowers.

Additionally, both the

Coalition Of Community And Non-Profit Organizations Release Petition Supporting Actions Against Sexual Harassment, Violence And Misconduct

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 28, 2017

PN News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― A coalition of community and non-profit organizations in New Mexico has released the following petition.

This action is one piece of a multi-phased public awareness and accountability campaign to raise awareness of these important issues and identify methods to address sexual harassment, sexual violence and misconduct in New Mexico.

The full petition can be found online here and content follows.

To elected leaders representing New Mexico:

We call for action to end sexual harassment and all forms of sexual

Descartes Labs And UbiQD Announce Expansions

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 28, 2017

Two high-tech companies announced their expansion with a celebration Monday morning at UbiQD’s Eastgate headquarters in Los Alamos. From left, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Matt Geisel, Los Alamos County Economic Development Administrator Joan Ahlers, UbiQD CEO Hunter McDaniel, Descartes Lab CEO Mark Johnson, Los Alamos National Laboratory Chief Technology Officer Duncan McBranch and Los Alamos County Council Chair David Izraelevitz. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

UbiQD CEO Hunter McDaniel, left, and Descartes Lab CEO Mark Johnson chat before Read More

Udall, Luján Introduce Legislation On Health Disparities For Native Americans Living In Urban Areas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 28, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján have introduced bicameral legislation to improve Medicaid for Native patients who receive services at Urban Indian Health Programs. The Urban Indian Health Parity Act also is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the primary federal agency responsible for providing health care to American Indian and Alaska Natives through federally operated facilities that provide services directly on reservation lands, Tribally run facilities,

Gov. Susana Martinez Announces National Recognition Of New Mexico’s Improved Business Climate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 27, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that New Mexico has been ranked in Site Selection Magazine’s Top State Business Climate Rankings.

New Mexico came in at 22nd in the national business climate ranking and 17th in the Executive Survey Rank. A primary component of the ranking is based on a survey of corporate site selection professionals.

“Since 2011, we’ve made it a priority to improve New Mexico’s business climate by cutting taxes, closing loopholes, removing burdensome

Fajardo To Legislative Leaders: Training Is Not Enough

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 27, 2017

Rep. Kelly Fajardo

STATE News:

State representative pushes Leadership to take swift action on fixing policy weaknesses

LOS LUNAS—Rep. Kelly Fajardo sent a letter to New Mexico House and Senate Leadership urging them to take stronger steps in addressing sexual harassment issues at the Legislature.

“Training is not enough,” Fajardo wrote, “and mandating training for only legislators is a minimal gesture at best.”

Fajardo pointed out numerous weaknesses in the Legislature’s current “No Harassment” policy and called for a complete overhaul Read More

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall: Report Shows Urgent Need To Act On Climate Change

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 27, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement on the release of the Fourth National Climate Assessment:

“The federal government’s comprehensive climate report confirms yet again the warnings we’ve heard from scientists for years. Here are a few of the findings:

The last 115 years have been the warmest in the history of modern civilization.
The last three years have been the warmest years on record – and that trend is expected to continue.
Human-generated greenhouse gases are

Legislative Interim Committee Meetings Nov. 27 – Dec. 1

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 26, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The following legislative interim committees are meeting the week of Nov. 27 through Dec. 1:

Nov. 27 @ 10 a.m. – Indian Affairs Committee (IAC), Pueblo of San Ildefonso, Visitors Center, 74 Povi Kaa Dr., San Ildefonso Pueblo

Agenda Items: Status Update; REDI Net and the Rural Broadband Special Audit; Standards for Certifying Families and Homes for Foster Care and the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978; Public Comment;

Nov. 28 @ 10 a.m. – IAC, Ohkay Owingeh, Ohkay Owingeh Conference Center, 68 NM-291, Ohkay Owingeh

Agenda

Voices Of Los Alamos Meets Monday, Nov. 27

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 25, 2017

COMMUNITY News:

Voices of Los Alamos will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27 at the Unitarian Church.

Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities Manager Tim Glasco, Deputy Utilities Manager James Alarid and Technical Program Manager Danny Katzman will discuss the chromium plume issue. They will present the current action plan to pump out, treat and then inject the water back into the ground.

The meeting will also feature updates on the PED science standards as well as health and history school standards. Additionally, updates on school board issues, and the upcoming Los Read More

Tales Of Our Times: Truth Hides Out In Several Venues

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 24, 2017

Tales of Our Times

By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water

Truth Hides Out In Several Venues

We humans have a distinct flair for seeing the glass as half full or half empty. Experience shows a large category of people sees the half full portion. Neither can we miss the multitude that routinely pictures the empty half. The trickier impulse is to see something as half full one time and half empty the next time, depending on the focus at the time. This turn of mind is so richly human it is easily overlooked in the crowd.

Of its own free will, this quirk plays large parts in every political

Council Approves Ordinance For Utility Funds

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 22, 2017

Department of Public Utilities Manager Tim Galsco speaks during the County Council meeting on Nov. 14. Photo of by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

In an effort to avoid heavily increasing utility rates, Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved an ordinance that allows council and the Board of Public Utlitlies to approve transferring revenues or funds of one sub-utility fund to another.

Council approved the ordinance during its regular meeting Nov. 14.

According to agenda documents, before approving the ordinance, one utility sub fund Read More

Regional Coalition Urges GRT Change

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 22, 2017

Los Alamos County Councilors Chris Chandler and Pete Sheehey at Tuesday’s meeting on the LANL GRT issue in the State Capitol. Courtesy photo

North Central Regional Transit District Executive Director Anthony J. Mortillaro chats with Los Alamos County Councilor Chris Chandler at Tuesday’s meeting on the LANL GRT issue in the State Capitol. Courtesy photo

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Board is concerned that if a not-for-profit such as the University of California or the University of Texas is

Udall & Moran’s Landmark MGT Act To Reduce Wasteful IT Spending, Strengthen Cybersecurity Included In FY18 NDAA, Heads To President’s Desk

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 22, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) applauded the inclusion and passage of their Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2018.

This bipartisan legislation will encourage federal agencies to cut wasteful spending and modernize and strengthen government information technology (IT) and security to save taxpayers up to $20 billion a year. The MGT Act now heads to the president’s desk for signature.

“Passage of the

Los Alamos County Council Approves Land Sale

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 22, 2017

Vice President of LAH Investors Peter Kerwick discusses the housing development project with County Council Tuesday, Nov. 14 during its regular meeting. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

In passing an ordinance during its regular meeting Nov. 14, the Los Alamos County Council is took another step toward achieving its number one goal: provide more housing.

The approved ordinance authorized the sale of site A-13-2 and A-12 to LAH Investors, LLC. The sale price is $2,175,000. Economic

County Officials Express Thanksgiving Wishes

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 22, 2017

Los Alamos County Council Chair David Izraelevitz

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

caclark@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County offices are closed Thursday and Friday in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Several County officials expressed their Thanksgiving wishes for the community.

“The Thanksgiving holiday is a time to reflect on the blessings our lives bring. Among those blessings for me is being a member of this wonderful community in Los Alamos,” County Council Chair David Izraelevitz said. “It is a safe, welcoming community, where education and healthy living is valued, Read More

Former Nuclear Commander, Diplomats, Top Experts Applaud Legislation Banning Nuclear First Strikes

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2017

GZ News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following a historic Senate hearing last week examining the U.S. nuclear launch process and the president’s unbridled authority to use nuclear weapons, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced a bill that would make it the policy of the United States not to use nuclear weapons first.

In response, several American members of Global Zero’s Nuclear Crisis Group, an independent nonpartisan group of top former nuclear commanders, diplomats and experts from nuclear-armed and allied countries

AG: New Mexicans Can Seek Compensation From $586 Million Western Union Settlement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Nov. 14, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that New Mexicans who were deceived into sending payments to scammers using Western Union’s wire transfer service may now apply for compensation from a $586 million fund administered by the Department of Justice’s Victim Asset Recovery Program.

This fund is related to a multi-state settlement with New Mexico and 49 other states, the District of Columbia and Western Union that was first announced in January.

New Mexicans may

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