Political News

Luján, Butterfield, Stewart Introduce Bill To Increase Funding For National Health Service Corps

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Chris Stewart (R-UT) have introduced H.R. 3862, the National Health Service Corps Strengthening Act of 2017.
 
The bipartisan legislation aims reauthorize the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) for five years and increase its funding levels.
 
The NHSC is a national program that provides loan repayment and scholarship awards to primary care, mental health, and dental health professionals in exchange for practicing
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Heinrich Demands Scrutiny Of IRS Contract With Equifax

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 10, 2017
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), joined eight of his colleagues in a letter demanding further scrutiny of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) decision to award Equifax a sole-source contract to verify taxpayer identities and help prevent tax fraud despite the company’s recent disclosure of a massive cybersecurity breach exposing the personal information of as many as 145.5 million Americans, including over 860,000 New Mexicans.
 
“By awarding this no-bid contract,
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Citizens Group Issues Survey On Code Enforcement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017

COMMUNITY News:

The Los Alamos Citizens in Action Group led by local residents Heather Ortega and Helen Milenski is conducting an independent survey on Survey Monkey to gauge the community’s response to the Los Alamos County’s enforcement of the Municipal Code.

The survey was launched Monday on local online newspapers and social media.

“We are hoping to get a large number of responses on both sides of the code enforcement issue,” Milenski said. “That way we can have a broad indication of the current sentiment in Los Alamos and White Rock.” 

Milenski stressed that the survey Read More

Senate Democrats Applaud Court Decision To Allow 10 Bills To Become Law

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017
SENATE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― Ten bills that Gov. Susana Martinez attempted to veto earlier this year became law today after Santa Fe District Court Judge Sarah Singleton denied Gov. Martinez’s request to delay their implementation. 
 
The Court held that the Governor’s request is not likely to succeed if it is appealed, and that the public interest is best served by allowing those bills to become law. The First Judicial District Court’s decision in favor of the Legislature’s lawsuit to invalidate ten vetoes by Martinez during the 2017 Regular Session
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Pearce: It’s The Job Of Congress, Not The President

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce today released the following statement after President Trump announced his immigration principles and priorities:
 
“We in New Mexico know firsthand the challenges that come with a broken and outdated immigration system. Previous Administrations continuously sidestepped Congress by ordering harmful, temporary patchwork solutions without thinking about the long-term affects. It is the job of Congress, not the President, to make legal reforms
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Lawmakers Announce $2.5 Million In Federal Funding For Raton Water Treatment Plant

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017
STATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Friday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Congressman Ben Ray Luján announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded funds, totaling $2.58 million, to help the City of Raton in northern New Mexico upgrade its Water Treatment Plant.
 
“The Raton Water Treatment Plant has served the City of Raton well since 1947 but it is long past time for the system to be upgraded and repaired,” Luján said. “This funding will not only allow Raton to make those improvements but will also address important health and safety concerns
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Letter To The Editor: County Action Restores My Hope

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017
By ANNE HAWES
Los Alamos
 

FINALLY! I had lost all hope that Los Alamos County would take a stand against the downright bullying of our sheriff.

 
From the first day he was elected as sheriff he has had his own agenda, not the citizens of Los Alamos County, of what the duties of our sheriff should be. And, he has been trying his best to shove it down our throats.
 
Last year it was placed on a ballot about whether the citizens wanted to keep or abolish the position of sheriff in Los Alamos County. The citizens voted to keep it and not by a huge margin. Since then, Lucero has made statements
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Heinrich Announces $4 Million For Navy Testing And Evaluation Construction Project At WSMR

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed an announcement from the U.S. Navy that it will fund a $4.3 million project at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) to support future testing for naval operations.
 
The U.S. Navy was able to secure this funding through a provision Sen. Heinrich included in the fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to revitalize and recapitalize facilities at labs and test ranges. Through
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U.S. Rep. Luján Co-sponsors Legislation To Prohibit Manufacture And Sale Of Bump Stocks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 9, 2017
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) Thursday released the following statement on his co-sponsorship of legislation (H.R.3947) to prohibit the manufacture, possession, sale or transfer of bump stocks and similar devices designed to convert a semi-automatic weapon into the near equivalent of a fully automatic machine gun.
 
“Earlier this week, our country witnessed the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. According to reports, the shooter used a device known as a “bump stock,” which
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Garcia Richard: Science Under Threat

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 8, 2017
By Rep. STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe

I represent Los Alamos; where we take science seriously. And here we know two things: we know that we want our students to be taught real science. So why should we teach any other student in New Mexico anything less than that? And we know that if our students are taught anything less than rigorous, demanding scientific theory, then they will be left out.

You may have seen the NM Public Education Department’s version of the science standards described by a national magazine with the headline: “New Mexico doesn’t want you Read More

Pearce Re-Introduces Native American Housing Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 8, 2017
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has introduced H.R. 3864, the reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), to increase access to safe and affordable housing for Native Americans across the nation.
 
Original co-sponsors of this bipartisan legislation include U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI), Don Young (R-AK), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Denny Heck (D-WA), Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), and Rep. Betty McCollum
Read More

Heinrich Statement On September Jobs Report

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 8, 2017
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following statement after the Department of Labor announced 33,000 jobs were lost in September:
 
“Today’s job numbers underscore the gravity of the task at hand—to rebuild families’ lost homes, businesses, and communities in the wake of the devastating hurricanes that have affected Americans across the South, Southeast, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. America needs to rebuild, and
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Nineteen New Mexico True Adventures To Experience During 2017 Balloon Fiesta

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 7, 2017
Courtesy/NMTD
 
NMTD News:
 
SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Tourism Department created a list of 19 things for travelers to do during Balloon Fiesta week, to encourage extended stays for the hundreds of thousands of visitors that travel to see New Mexico’s sky burst with color in early October.

The list, titled “19 New Mexico True Adventures You Need to Experience During Balloon Fiesta,” showcases the wide variety of cultural activities and authentic experiences visitors can encounter before, during and after the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

 
Suggestions
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Los Alamos County Council Meets Tuesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 7, 2017

COUNTY News: 

The Los Alamos County Council will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 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
  • Update on the Manhattan Project National Historical Park from Charlie Strickfaden, Los Alamos Site Manager of Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Presenters: Linda Matteson, Assistant to the County Manager
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
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Just One Thing To Do This Week: Dream On…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 7, 2017

By MARY BETH MAASSEN
Los Alamos

I was going to write a light-hearted column this week. However, between the natural and unnatural disasters that have recently occurred, my head is filled with such sadness that I find very little humor in anything.

Every time I sit down to write, my feelings of helplessness and heartache fill the page. Not very entertaining I am afraid. But let me share my thoughts on how we can make a difference and contribute to improving the situation.

Regarding hurricanes and flooding – send money. There are many organizations such as the American Red Cross and Americares Read More

County Council Files Motion In Email Suit

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 6, 2017
By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
maire@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Council has filed a motion asking the First Judicial District Court to conduct an in camera in chambers review of Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary’s emails held on her personal account from May 15 to determine if they are “public record” and subject to review under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).

Los Alamos resident Lisa Brenner and her son, Patrick Brenner, filed a complaint for declaratory judgment ordering production of copies of emails sent or received May 15 by Council members. Read More

LWVLA Lunch With A Leader: County Clerk Naomi Maestas And Elections Manager Gloria Maestas Oct. 17

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 6, 2017

Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas

LWVLA News:

The League of Women Voters presents its monthly community event, Lunch with a Leader at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17 in Mesa Public Library.

The speakers this month are County Clerk Naomi Maestas and Elections Manager Gloria Maestas from the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office.  They will discuss the voting process.

Los Alamos County Elections Manager Gloria Maestas

County Clerk Naomi Maestas moved to Los Alamos 15 years ago when her husband, Sammy, accepted a job offer from Los Alamos County. She began her career in local government Read More

Reps. Luján And DelBene Introduce Smart Cities Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 6, 2017
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), along with the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced legislation Oct. 2 to promote the advancement of smart cities.
 
“Smart infrastructure has the potential to make our communities safer, more efficient, healthier, and more sustainable. But these advances shouldn’t just be reserved for major cities and Silicon Valley,” Luján said. “Our legislation will help guarantee that smaller and rural
Read More

County Council Litigation Subcommittee Nixed

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 5, 2017

Los Alamos County Council, from left, Chair David Izraelevitz, Chris Chandler, James Chrobocinski, Rick Reiss, Pete Sheehey, Vice Chair Susan O’Leary and Antonio Maggiore. Photo by Leslie Bucklin/LAC

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
maire@ladailypost.com
 

An announcement by Los Alamos County Council Chair David Israelevitz at the end of the Sept. 26 Council meeting prompted a lengthy discussion with his fellow councilors and has ultimately been nixed.

Under the Council Chair’s Report item on the agenda, Israelevitz announced that a subcommittee was being started Read More

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