Study: Noncompliance Hobbles Comprehensive Background Check Policy For Private Gun Sales

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

Courtesy/gunlocker.com

HSNW News:

Of the three states that recently expanded comprehensive background check (CBC) policies to include all gun transfers, including those among private parties, only Delaware showed an overall increase in firearm background checks. Washington and Colorado had no changes, which the study authors say suggests that compliance and enforcement were incomplete.

The study, which posted online in Injury Prevention, is believed to be the first to assess the association between CBC policy enactment and changes in background-check rates. It was conducted Read More

Senate Budget Plan Allows For $1.5 Trillion Added To National Debt

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

Maya MacGuineas, president

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

CRFB News:

The Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2018 budget Oct. 19 containing reconciliation instructions for tax reform. The following is a statement from Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget:

There was a time not long ago when many Congressional Republicans demanded a budget that balanced within 10 years.

Today, with their vote, the Senate GOP has turned away from this goal, sprinting in the other direction and instead approving a plan that allows

Los Alamos County Council Meets Tuesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.

The meeting is open to the public.

Agenda:

1. OPENING/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

A. Proclamation celebrating Oct. 25 as “Atomic City Transit Day” in Los Alamos County (accepted by employees of Atomic City Transit) Presenters: County Council

6. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON CONSENT

Heinrich Warns Of Public Health Crisis In Puerto Rico, Urges Health Department To Take Action

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide additional resources and better coordinate efforts on the ground in the face of a growing public health crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria to ensure the more than 3.5 million American citizens living there can safely access the quality health care they need.

Heinrich joined U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)

Sheriff Lucero Seeks To File Amended Complaint Against Los Alamos County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 23, 2017

Staff Report

Attorney A. Blair Dunn has asked the First Judicial District Court for permission to file an amended complaint against the Los Alamos County Council on behalf of Sheriff Marco Lucero.

The original complaint was filed Aug. 29 as an emergency petition for writ of mandamus and complaint for declaratory judgment.

The motion to amend the complaint, filed Oct. 11, states that Dunn “consulted in good faith” with the Council’s counsel regarding the proposed amendment, which he claims seeks to rectify potential errors raised by the Council in its answer to Lucero’s original complaint. Read More

NNSA: Production Of W76-1/Mk4A Arming Fuzing Subsystem Completed On Time And Budget

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 21, 2017

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has completed production of the U.S. Navy-sponsored Arming Fuzing Subsystem in support of the W76-1/Mk4A Life Extension Program (LEP) on time and on budget.

The subsystem is a key component of the W76-1 LEP that will extend the original warhead service life from 20 to 60 years.

“Completing this subsystem is a major achievement for NNSA and the many gifted engineers, scientists and technicians dedicated to serving our vital national security mission

Legislative Interim Committee Meetings: Oct. 23-27

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 21, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The following legislative interim committees are scheduled to meet the week of Oct. 23 through Oct. 27:

Oct. 23 @ 1 p.m. – Legislative Council (LC), State Capitol, Room 307, Santa Fe
- Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes; Interim Committee Business; Staff Reports
Oct. 24-27 @ 8:30 a.m. – Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) State Capitol, Room 307, Santa Fe
- Agenda Items: Program Evaluation: Cost drivers in Higher Education and Efforts to Improve Efficiency and Reduce Duplication; Department of Health (665): Preview of FY19 Appropriation Request; New Mexico Corrections

New Mexico House Republicans To Jeff Bezos: We Stand Ready To Partner With Amazon!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 21, 2017

Minority Floor Leader Nate Gentry

NM HOUSE GOP News:

SANTA FE – Nineteen New Mexico House Republican representatives sent a letter today to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to promote Albuquerque’s bid to host Amazon’s new North American headquarters.

In their letter, the representatives cited New Mexico’s location, cultural and recreational opportunities, and the presence of two national laboratories as key assets. They also pledged their willingness to work on business-friendly policies, including tax reform, as well as continued support for important state incentive programs such as the Local Read More

PED Tweaks Proposed Science Education Standards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

Public Education Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski addresses the crowd during a reception Oct. 10 at the LAPS School Board Meeting Room. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON

Los Alamos Daily Post

bjgordon@ladailypost.com

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) appeared to backpedal Tuesday on proposed changes to the New Mexico Science Education Standards, which are at odds with the Next Generation Science Standards developed by a consortium of states and the National Academy of Sciences.

New Mexico would be the 19th state to adopt the Standards. Read More

New Mexico Democrats Recommend National Labs To Help Rebuild Puerto Rico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Ben Ray Luján, joined by Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, sent a letter today urging the Administration to utilize programs run by national labs in New Mexico to help with the reconstruction of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure.

The members of the New Mexico delegation are asking the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to leverage the unique expertise and resources at the labs, including Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, to help Puerto Rico rebuild.

“The scale of the devastation in Puerto Rico Read More

DOJ: First Ever Indictments Against Designated Chinese Manufacturers Of Deadly Fentanyl And Other Opiates

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Justice Department announced today that federal grand juries in the Southern District of Mississippi and the District of North Dakota returned indictments, unsealed Oct. 17, against two Chinese nationals and their North American based traffickers and distributors for separate conspiracies to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and other opiate substances in the United States.

The Chinese nationals are the first manufacturers and distributors of fentanyl and other opiate substances to be designated

Udall, Commerce Committee Request FCC Oversight Hearing On President’s Threats To Freedom Of Press

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― This week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, joined fellow Democrats on the committee in calling for a hearing on President Trump’s attacks on the media and his latest threat to interfere with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) television station license renewal proceedings.

In a letter to Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), respectively the chairman and ranking member of the committee, which has jurisdiction over the FCC, the senators wrote, “Since

Two Lead Staff From State Auditor’s Office Win Prestigious Professional Awards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

OSA News:

SANTA FE ― Today, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) announced that two of its lead staff won New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants (NMSCPA) Pride in the Profession Awards.

Sanjay Bhakta, Deputy State Auditor, won the award for Outstanding Member in Government. Emily Oster, Director of Compliance and Quality Control, won the award for Woman to Watch, Emerging Leader.

“We are honored that two of our office’s lead staff have been recognized for making significant contributions to the accounting

Joint Economic Committee Democrats; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Release ‘Economic State Of Latino Community In America’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2017

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Joint Economic Committee Democrats and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have released a fact sheet on the “Economic State of the Latino Community in America.”

The fact sheet outlines the latest statistics on the economic well-being of the nation’s Latino community, including population, employment, and earnings statistics, and other key indicators.

Latinos continue to be one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States,

Reps. Lujan Grisham, Davis Introduce Legislation To Provide Stable Funding For Food Banks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2017

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Representatives Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure stable and increased federal funding for emergency food banks that distribute the food to communities throughout the state.

As members of the House Agriculture Committee, Reps. Lujan Grisham and Davis help draft the Farm Bill, which dedicates money for food purchases, along with $100 million a year for food banks to distribute food to communities. But the distribution money is usually

Los Alamos Resident Greg White Files Suit In New Mexico Supreme Court Against County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

Los Alamos resident Greg White at a council meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos resident Greg White has filed a verified petition for a writ of prohibition against the Los Alamos County Council and the Incorporated County of Los Alamos with the New Mexico Supreme Court requesting that the Court exercise jurisdiction. The petition, filed Oct.17, lists Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero as an interested party.

White recently announced that he will be a candidate for sheriff in 2018.

The Read More

Secretary Names Bryan Rice Director Of Bureau Of Indian Affairs

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced the selection of Bryan Rice, a veteran federal administrator and citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, as the new Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the federal agency that coordinates government-to-government relations with 567 federally recognized tribes in the United States.

“Bryan has a wealth of management expertise and experience that will well serve Indian Country as the BIA works to enhance the quality of life, promote economic opportunity, and carry out

Lujan Grisham Announces Staff Promotions

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the promotion of two staff members to serve as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.

“I am pleased to congratulate my hard-working staff on their promotions,” Grisham said. “I am confident they will continue to be passionate public servants and effective leaders as our team advocates for and serves the people of New Mexico.”

Natalie Armijo has been promoted to Chief of Staff. An Albuquerque native with deep roots in New Mexico, Armijo started

Coalition Of LANL Communities Board Hears From University Of Texas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

University of Texas consultant Susan Rogers chats with San Ildefonso Pueblo Governor James Mountain at Friday’s Coalition of LANL Communities Board meeting in Espanola. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

A representative of the University of Texas (UT) told the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Board Friday that the university is looking forward to submitting a successful bid to manage and operate Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Susan Rogers, a longtime former UT staff member Read More

Response Filed In IPRA Suit Against County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Court documents filed Oct. 10 on behalf of Patrick Brenner and his mother Lisa Brenner state that there is no “win-win” in a proposal by Los Alamos County Council unless the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) is complied with in a case involving emails in a personal account belonging to County Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary.

The Brenners had asked the County through its Custodian of Public Records Barb Ricci to release every email by every Councilor from May 15 but O’Leary has maintained that she has a privacy interest and legitimate Read More

LOS ALAMOS

Minority Floor Leader Nate Gentry

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