Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

State Auditor Releases Special Audit Of Premium Taxes

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 27, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

OSA News:

SANTA FE ― Tuesday, State Auditor Tim Keller released a special audit of the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance’s (OSI) collection of premium taxes owed by insurance companies.

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) initiated the special audit earlier this year to resolve longstanding questions about the amounts owed to the state from insurance companies. The audit examined 30 insurers during the period from 2003 to 2016, including health insurers, life insurers and property and casualty insurers. Of those companies,

Heinrich Leads Effort To Protect Dreamer Data

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 27, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is continuing to lead efforts to ensure that the information provided by individuals as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is protected and not used for enforcement purposes.

Heinrich, along with U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), led a letter today to the Department of Homeland Security demanding clarity on the

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Introduces Health Care Choice And Affordability Act

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 27, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham introduced the Health Care Choice and Affordability Act, which would create a Medicaid buy-in option for individuals in counties with few or no options in the insurance marketplace.

Rep. Lujan Grisham’s legislation would address immediate concerns about access to coverage in the ACA marketplace. While more than 20 million additional Americans have access to health insurance under the ACA, many communities do not have the option to choose between competing insurance

Governor Dedicates New Veterans Cemetery In Gallup

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 26, 2017

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

GALLUP — Gov. Susana Martinez dedicated the new Gallup State Veterans Cemetery Wednesday, which could serve as many as 20,000 veterans and their families.

The cemetery is the second of four proposed by Martinez in 2013 for veterans who live in rural areas throughout the state.

“Our veterans and their families should be laid to rest in a place that reflects their dedication and sacrifice to our country,” Martinez said. “New Mexico is a large and rural state, and this veterans cemetery will be an important step in ensuring

LWV Forum On Spent Nuclear Fuel Nov. 2

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 26, 2017

LWV News:

The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos will present the forum, “Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal from Power Reactors” 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Jeannette Wallace Room, Building 5 at UNM-LA.

Despite the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 that was to have managed the disposal of high-level nuclear waste through safe, permanent disposal, the high-level waste produced by power plants is still not stored in a permanent location. Instead it is currently located in 78 separate installations across the country. The League of Women Voters of New Mexico

Udall Urges Bipartisan Action To Fund CHIP And Health Programs Critical To New Mexico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 26, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, in a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall urged Republicans to work with Democrats to fund critical health programs that benefit thousands of N.M. children, low-income families, and Native Americans.

Udall also voiced his support for bipartisan efforts in the Senate to stabilize the individual health insurance markets and protect against President Trump’s efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Last month, while Republicans were

Heinrich Calls On Secretary Perry To Withdraw Proposal To Force Consumers To Subsidize Uncompetitive Coal And Nuclear Companies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 26, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an op-ed today, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) called on Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry to withdraw a recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) directing federal regulators at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to create rules that would favor coal and nuclear plants that are no longer the most cost-effective producers of energy.

“If FERC were to adopt Secretary Perry’s proposed rule, or anything even remotely similar, it would unravel wholesale energy markets Read More

Udall Urges Enhanced Public Safety, More Resources For Crime And Victim Services In Indian Country

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 26, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has urged improvements to public safety in Indian Country, calling for additional resources to fight crime and provide victim services to Native Americans.

In a legislative hearing, Udall led the Indian Affairs Committee in reviewing three bills to promote public safety in Tribal communities:

S. 1870, Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment Act 2017, the “SURVIVE Act”

S. 1953, Reauthorization of the Tribal and Law Order Act of 2010

AFTNM Reacts To Judicial Ruling Against Mora ISD

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2017

AFTNM News:

District Ordered to Reinstate Wrongfully Terminated Employees; Comply with Previous Arbitrator Decision

MORA – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly, Mora Federation of School Employees Union President Faith Rivera and Mora Federation of School Employees Union Members Edwina Romero, Paulyette Perea and Lisa Yescas released today the following statement:

“We are extremely happy New Mexico District Court Judge Alan Malott has ruled in favor of three wrongfully terminated Mora Independent School District employees, affirming the April 2017 Read More

Conservation Voters NM Releases 2017 Scorecard

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2017

CVNM News:

SANTA FE ― Today, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) released its statewide Conservation Scorecard for the 2017 legislative session.

In the Scorecard, CVNM reports the votes cast on the most critical issues affecting our air, land, water, health and communities during the 2017 regular legislative session.

The average conservation score earned in the Senate in the 2017 Scorecard is 68 percent. The average conservation score earned in the House of Representatives in the 2017 Scorecard is 67 percent. An improvement

Udall, Heinrich, Lujan Grisham Join Luján In Introducing Bicameral Legislation To Create Health Care Public Option

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2017

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) today introduced the State Public Option Act, bicameral legislation to create a Medicaid-based public health care option on the insurance marketplace, which will provide Americans with a new high-quality, low-cost choice when purchasing health insurance.

The bill already has more than 35 cosponsors in both the House and Senate including Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-MN).

“Our goal with

UN Flag Flies At Skip And Hedy Dunn Residence

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2017

Skip and Hedy Dunn fly the United Nations flag Tuesday at their residence in White Rock in honor of United Nations Day. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

Skip and Hedy Dunn flew the United Nations flag Tuesday at their residence in White Rock in honor of United Nations Day.

In December 2015, the UN accomplished an unbelievable task; 195 nations — almost the whole world — committed to the Paris Climate Accord. Seeing as how it is often difficult to be in accord with even one, loved person (e.g. spouse), this is truly incredible.

The United States of America brokered Read More

State Democratic Party Credits Public Engagement For PED Change Of Tune On Science Curriculum Standards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2017

NMDP News:

The Democratic Party of New Mexico credited public engagement Oct. 18, for the New Mexico Public Education Department’s (PED) change in tune on science curriculum standards.

After public outrage was made clear, Gov. Susana Martinez’s PED announced that they would not be including the politicized changes they proposed in September.

“New Mexico was facing the possibility of Martinez’s PED altering science education in a way that would have put New Mexico kids at a disadvantage. Despite the New Mexico PED hosting a hearing during a time when many folks are at work,

Heinrich: FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act Lacks Privacy Reforms

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 25, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, voted Tuesday against advancing the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 12-3.

“I strongly support the use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and specifically section 702 to gather intelligence on foreign targets. That is exactly why FISA was written in the first place and collecting the communications of foreign targets is without Read More

U. S. Senators Udall, Heinrich Cosponsor USA RIGHTS Act To Reform Secretive Warrantless Spy Program

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 24, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

Bill Reforms FISA Sec. 702 to Protect Americans’ Security and Liberties, Reduce Secret Law and Focus Spy Program on Foreign Threats

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced bipartisan legislation they are cosponsoring that reforms a sweeping, secretive government spying program to protect the constitutional rights of Americans, while giving intelligence agencies authority to target foreign terrorists, criminals, and other overseas intelligence targets.

The USA RIGHTS Act reforms Section 702 of the Read More

VIDEO: Udall Speaks Out Against Efforts To Open Arctic National Wildlife Refuge To Drilling

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 24, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall spoke Oct. 18 on the Senate floor in strong opposition to a provision slipped in the Republicans’ Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution that would pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy in part through oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

A longtime champion of protection for the Arctic refuge, Udall called for the removal of any language in the budget that would open to drilling the refuge’s coastal plain, known as the 10-02 area.

Shin: If Sanctuary Schools, Then Why Citizenship?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 24, 2017

By LISA SHIN

Los Alamos

On Oct. 13, 2017, the Los Alamos Public School Board passed an immigration resolution, under which the immigration status of students would not be recorded or reported to federal immigration officials. The resolution would be the first step in creating a policy aimed at supporting our students.

I applaud efforts to welcome and not alienate, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds. When I was in grade school, there were no such efforts to protect me from the ridicule of classmates or the mockery of a teacher. No Chuck Schumer tears condemning “mean-spirited” Read More

Robinson: Eco Station Saving Energy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

Eco Station on East Jemez Road. Photo by James Robinson

By JAMES ROBINSON

Environmental Sustainability Board

In July, I was reappointed to the Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board by the County Council. Although this board is mainly known for the Plastic Bag Ban and the recent Wildlife Ordinance discussion, this board, and Los Alamos County Environmental Services, has done a lot of work to make Los Alamos more sustainable, and save our citizens money. It is a wonderful opportunity to work with your fellow citizens to answer the questions brought before us, and explore Read More

Senate Passes Udall-Heinrich Amendment Directing Congress To Provide Mandatory Full Funding For PILT

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate approved an amendment by U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich Oct. 19 that directs Congress to fully and permanently fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which helps local governments in New Mexico and across the West pay for critical services like schools, police, and roads.

The amendment to the Republicans’ Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution passed 58 to 41 and was the only amendment offered by a Democrat to pass on a roll-call vote.

New Mexico is the third-highest recipient of

Democratic Party Of Los Alamos Hosts Concert

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

Satirist Roy Zimmerman will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Unitarian Church. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County is hosting a concert featuring Satirist Roy Zimmerman at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos at 1738 N. Sage St.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the door or online at https:////www.losalamosdemocrats.org/2017_zimmerman.

LOS ALAMOS

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