Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

One million+ Consumers Call On DOJ To Block Bayer-Monsanto Merger

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2017

FOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 1 million petition signatures were delivered last week by farming, consumer and environmental groups to the U.S. Department of Justice calling on the department to block the proposed merger of Bayer (BAYN) and Monsanto (MON).

The signatures were delivered as two new reports revealed irreversible impacts from the merger on consumers and farmers.

Today, Friends of the Earth, SumOfUs and the Open Markets Institute released analysis, “Bayer-Monsanto Merger: Big Data, Big Agriculture, Big Problems”, which explores

Governor Susana Martinez Announces First-Year Results From DWI Court Monitoring Initiative

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2017

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Susana Martinez announced Monday that more than one-third of DWI cases monitored by the state during the first year of the DWI court monitoring initiative – aimed to shed light on how DWI cases are handled – were dismissed.

Martinez also announced ways the state plans to help with the adjudication of DWI cases.

“It is unacceptable to continue to let people off the hook for drunk driving,” Martinez said. “We must send the message to all New Mexicans that if you get behind the wheel intoxicated you will face the consequences in court for your

Governor Unveils TV Ad Warning Consequences Of Drunk Driving

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2017

NMDOT News:

SANTA FE ― Nov. 17, Gov. Susana Martinez unveiled a new TV ad to fight DWI in New Mexico warning drivers of what could happen if they drive drunk.

Martinez also announced an increase in law enforcement presence on New Mexico’s roads and highways to crackdown on DWI and other dangerous driving habits throughout the holiday season.

“I will not stop fighting to end DWI in our state. It’s been a problem for too long and it is 100 percent preventable,” Martinez said. “It’s easy – make the decision not to drink and drive, every time.”

The new ad is

Pearce: House Reforms Flood Insurance Program

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 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. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2874, the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):

“The National Flood Insurance Program was created to better protect homeowners and businesses in high-risk flood zones because the private market simply wasn’t able to do it. Unfortunately, after 50 years, this program has become financially unstable and is in desperate need

Governor Announces 2017 New Mexico True Heroes

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2017

Gov. Susana Martinez announced Monday the 2017 New Mexico True Heroes at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. From left, Jamar Cotton, Debbie Torres, Mike Torres, Donovan Smith, Winnie Keller, Gov. Susana Martinez, Sec. Rebecca Latham and Jeff Siembieda. Courtesy photo

SANTA FE – Gov. Susana Martinez announced Monday the 2017 New Mexico True Heroes, five New Mexicans devoted to making New Mexico a better place to live, work and raise a family.

“Our 2017 New Mexico True Heroes are leaders in their communities and work hard day in and day out to make our state a wonderful place to call home,” Read More

Udall Welcomes Los Lunas Facebook Data Center Expansion Announcement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed Facebook’s announcement Nov. 14 that it will triple the size of its Los Lunas data center, with plans to construct a total of six buildings and invest more than $1 billion in the project:

“Facebook’s announcement is a testament to what New Mexico can accomplish when we work together to harness the unique strengths of our state and our workforce. The expansion of this project will further energize economic development in Los Lunas and the entire state, adding much

New Mexico House Republicans Push For DA And Law Enforcement Funding

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2017

GOP News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Today, House Republican Representatives Gentry, Adkins, Maestas Barnes, Smith, Hall and Rehm sent a letter to the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) urging them to increase funding for the 2^nd Judicial District Attorney’s office and state law enforcement agencies.

In his testimony before the LFC in September 2017, 2^nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez informed the committee that though nearly 48 percent of that state’s violent crimes and 70 percent of auto thefts occur in the 2^nd Judicial District, his office receives only 27 percent of the funds allotted Read More

Governor Martinez Announces Seventh Straight Record-Breaking Year For Economic Impact Of Tourism

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2017

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Nov. 16, Gov. Susana Martinez announced that in 2016 the tourism industry generated the largest economic impact in state history for the seventh consecutive year, injecting $6.4 billion into New Mexico’s economy.

This represents a 2.1 percent increase over 2015, or $133 million more, and equates to nearly $730,600 spent by visitors to New Mexico every hour last year.

“Tourism plays a vital role in diversifying our state’s economy,” Martinez said. “More people visiting New Mexico means

‘Finally!’ Secretary Zinke Welcomes Confirmation Of Reclamation Nominee Brenda Burman

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2017

Brenda Burman

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. Senate Friday confirmed Brenda Burman as the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner. She is the first woman to ever lead the Bureau.

“Finally! After more than 142 days, I’m excited to welcome Brenda Burman to lead the Bureau of Reclamation,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “Brenda is a veteran of the Bureau and her extensive experience on water projects across the country will be an incredible asset for the Department. After senseless and unprecedented hold-ups in the

RCLC To Address Revenue Stabilization And Tax Policy Committee On Lab Prime Contractor GRT Issue

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 19, 2017

RCLC News:

The Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Committee of the New Mexco Legislature is meeting Monday and Tuesday in room 322 at the State Capitol.

An important item for Los Alamos County, on the agenda at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, is related to excluding prime contractors that operate national laboratories in New Mexico from paying Gross Receipts Tax (GRT).

Regional Coalition of LANL Communities (RCLC) Chair and Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales and RCLC Executive Director Andrea Romero are scheduled to present information on a proposal to exclude prime contractors that operate national Read More

Udall: Passage Of Major National Defense Bill Will Strengthen New Mexico and Nation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 19, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON — Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall joined the Senate in voting for final passage of a major national defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to support troops and military families, and to strengthen national defense programs in New Mexico and across the country.

The bill, which will now be sent to the president, includes several measures that Udall has championed to benefit the national security mission being carried out at New Mexico’s national laboratories, military bases

New Mexico Delegation Calls On New Army Secretary To Bring Active Duty Mission To WSMR

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 19, 2017

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In a letter to incoming Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) urged him to consider White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) as a garrison host for a Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), which could bring close to 500 Army officers to WSMR.

Secretary Esper was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday afternoon.

NNSA Delivers Annual Reports To Congress On Progress Of Stockpile Stewardship, Nuclear Nonproliferation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 19, 2017

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Wednesday, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) released the Fiscal Year 2018 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP) and the Prevent, Counter, and Respond—A Strategic Plan to Reduce Global Nuclear Threats (NPCR).

These annual reports to Congress outline the strategic direction for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent and for reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. They are key planning documents for the nuclear security enterprise

Balderas Announces Sen. Phil Griego Convicted On Five Counts In Corruption Trial

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 18, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

SANTA FE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Thursday that a Santa Fe jury found former Sen. Phil Griego guilty on five counts in the corruption trial prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General.

After a two and half week trial, the jury found Griego guilty of Violation of Ethical Principles of Public Service, Violation of Ethical Principles of Public Service (Requesting or Receiving Thing of Value), Bribery, Fraud (Over $20,000), and Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract (Over $50).

The case involves

Heinrich Statement On DHS Decision To Accept DACA Applications Delayed By Postal Service

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 17, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to allow those rejected because of mail delays to resubmit their renewals for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Senator Heinrich led a group of Democratic Senators in sending a letter to DHS calling on the department to take immediate action.

“I’m pleased that Dreamers whose applications were rejected

Balderas Urges Congress To Repeal Law That Supports Opioid Oversupply & Handcuffs The DEA

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 17, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas sent a letter late Monday to congressional leaders, urging them to repeal a 2016 federal law so registered drug manufacturers and distributors who have willfully contributed to the nation’s oversupply of pain killers (opioids), can be held accountable.

The “Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016” (P.L. 114-145) has severely limited the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) response to the opioid crisis. On average,

Heinrich, Flake, Shaheen Press DOD For Unpublished Domestic Violence Reporting Data

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 16, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today sent a letter to the Defense Department (DOD) raising serious questions about how and where the agency is reporting domestic violence related convictions adjudicated in military court, and the recent FBI’s assertion that it cannot determine how many, if any, of these convictions have been reported to one of three databases used to prevent the sale of firearms to statutorily-barred individuals.

As the letter notes, currently

O’Leary: Council Approves MOU With NCRTD

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 16, 2017

By Vice Chair Susan O’Leary

Los Alamos County Council

In our consent agenda during Tuesday’s Council meeting, we approved a request to provide North Central Regional Transit District with $350,000. This transit district serves a number of counties in Northern New Mexico and this funding is in addition to county funding for the county’s Atomic City Bus service.

The Council agreed to this specific action in April as part of our budget process and tonight’s action was merely fulfilling that agreement. Reading tonight’s agenda documents, I was reminded that Los Alamos County has Read More

Ray Powell Ends Bid For Land Commissioner … Endorses Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 15, 2017

Ray Powell

POLITICAL News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Former Land Commissioner and current Democratic candidate for Land Commissioner Ray Powell today announced his decision to end his bid for Land Commissioner and endorsed Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos.

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

Powell released the following statement:

“New Mexico’s land, animals, and working families are my love and passion. Working to protect their well-being is the reason I decided to run again for New Mexico State Land Commissioner. I want to let you know that I recently learned that I have a rare auto-immune condition Read More

Lujan Grisham Votes To Pass Defense Policy Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 15, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham voted Tuesday to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions that are important to the large national laboratory and military presence in New Mexico.

The defense policy bill includes critical funding for military bases and national laboratories, including 2.4-percent pay increases for service members. The bill also prohibits the Department of Defense from conducting an additional round of BRAC next year, which means there

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