Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Group Discusses Dissatisfaction With Code Enforcement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 5, 2017

Los Alamos County Councilor Antonio Maggiore contemplates complaints voiced Monday evening by 25 people in attendance at a meeting on County code enforcement issues. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

BY MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

marire@ladailypost.com

A two-hour public meeting was held Monday evening in White Rock to address issues with enforcement of Chapter 18 of the Los Alamos Municipal Code entitled Environment. The meeting was hosted by residents Helen Milenski and Heather Ortega. Ortega intends to form a political action committee (PAC) called Read More

Udall, Heinrich Memorialize Sen. Pete Domenici In Back-to-Back Speeches On Senate Floor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 5, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich gave back-to-back speeches Tuesday on the Senate floor in honor of former Senator Pete Domenici, who passed away in September.

In his speech, Udall said, “New Mexicans will always remember him as one of the strongest fighters our state will ever know. Senator Domenici and I belong to different political parties, and we didn’t always agree on things. But I always appreciated that he cared deeply about the issues and put the nation and New Mexico’s

Pearce Votes To Protect Sanctity Of Life

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 5, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted and passed H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill seeks to protect unborn children who are 20 weeks or older:

“Today’s bill is something we as Americans can unite together around. We have scientific proof that an unborn child at 20 weeks into a pregnancy – the end of the 5th month – has the capability to feel pain. I cannot sit back and allow this brutal act to continue. This

NM Foundation For Open Government Hosts 2017 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Awards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 5, 2017

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark in conversation following today’s Foundation for Open Government event in Albuquerque. Their conversation touched on a variety of subjects including the importance of shining a light on dark nets … those notorious digital marketplaces operating in the hidden corners of the Internet. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Attorney Blair Dunn chats with Los Alamos Daily Post reporter Maire O’Neill at today’s event. Dunn was honored in the legal category and has represented plaintiffs Read More

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Introduces Legislation To Ban Surprise Billing

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 4, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham introduced health care legislation that will prohibit surprise billing. The Fair Billing Act is designed to protect patients from being charged expensive out-of-network rates for services they get at in-network hospitals.

“Medical billing is extremely complicated, even in the best of circumstances,” Rep. Lujan Grisham said. “Consumers who have done their homework, choosing an in-network provider covered by their insurance and doing their best

Robert Patterson Named DEA Acting Administrator

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 4, 2017

DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson

DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Justice has designated Robert W. Patterson as the Drug Enforcement Administration acting administrator.

Patterson was appointed as DEA’s principal deputy administrator in November 2016. In that role, he served as DEA’s chief operating officer, overseeing all of the agency’s enforcement, intelligence, administrative, and regulatory activities worldwide. He is the highest ranking career special agent at DEA.

Patterson came to this position after serving as DEA’s chief inspector beginning Read More

CIR: Special Cuba Briefing Oct. 10

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 3, 2017

CIR News:

Hear Amb. Vicki Huddleston offer CIR members a special briefing on Cuba at 12-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the CIR Conference Room at 413 Grant Ave., Suite D in Santa Fe.

The talk is free to CIR members and $5 for nonmembers. Parking is available on the west side of the Wells Fargo building.

What exactly is happening in the famed island nation these days? From Friday’s NY Times: “Just when it seemed that Cuba was on track to become something of a routine destination for Americans, tensions

U.S. Sen. Steve Pearce Urges Voters To Oppose ‘Healthy Workforce’ Ordinance

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 3, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce urged Albuquerque voters to oppose the so-called ‘Healthy Workforce’ ordinance, a new sweeping government regulation that will hammer small businesses and lead to fewer jobs and lower wages, he said.

“We should be looking for ways to move our economy forward, not imposing obstacles that hurt our workers and small businesses,” Pearce said. “The so-called ‘Healthy Workforce’ ordinance will crush Albuquerque small businesses under a mountain of new paperwork and leave them under the constant

AFT-NM: Early Endorsements For 2018 Election

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 2, 2017

AFT-NM News:

Statewide Candidates for Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General are Champions for Educators and Working New Mexicans

ALBUQUERQUE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly and AFT-NM Committee on Political Education Chair Sara Attleson announced that AFT-NM’s Executive Committee, in late September, voted to endorse the 2018 re-election campaigns of:

Maggie Toulouse Oliver for New Mexico Secretary of State;
Tim Eichenberg for New Mexico Treasurer; and
Hector Balderas for New Mexico Attorney General.

The decisions were based Read More

Lujan Grisham, Faso Introduce Bill To Crack Down On Fake Organics

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 2, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

LEGISLATIVE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Representatives Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and John Faso (R-NY) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation, the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act.

“Organic farming and ranching is the fastest growing segment of agriculture in New Mexico,” Grisham said. “However, fraudulent organic imports threaten the integrity of the USDA Organic label that so many New Mexicans rely on. The bipartisan Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act will provide the National

RPLA/LAFRW Host 2017 Constitution Day Dinner

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 2, 2017

Local GOP Chair John Bliss welcomes audience members to the annual Constitution Day Dinner Saturday at the Church of Christ on Diamond Drive. Photo by Mary Wilhoit

A memorial table set up at the Constitution Day Dinner to honor local GOP members Nona Bowman, Mary Brooks and Lawry Mann who have passed away in the last six months. Photo by Mary Wilhoit

RPLA News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos and the Federated Republican Women of Los Alamos hosted the annual Constitution Day Dinner Saturday evening at the Church of Christ on Diamond Drive.

RPLA Chair John Bliss

Heinrich Statement On Mass Shooting In Las Vegas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 2, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) made the following statement on the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nev., where some 50 people are dead and 200 injured.

“I’m sickened by the mass shooting in Las Vegas. We are all keeping everyone impacted by this act of domestic terrorism and those working on the front lines in our thoughts.” Heinrich said. “These incomprehensible acts of violence have become far too common, yet each one is no less tragic or heartbreaking. Every life lost to gun violence is a tragedy. Our country is weary from violence and grief Read More

Sen. Udall And Rep. Price Introduce Bicameral We The People Democracy Reform Act Of 2017

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 2, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. David Price (D-N.C.) have introduced the We the People Democracy Reform Act of 2017.

This bicameral legislation addresses a series of comprehensive democratic and electoral reforms to restore integrity, accountability, and transparency to the broken political system.

This legislation is more expansive than past versions and includes proposals to comprehensively reform campaign finance laws, increase transparency and accountability in the political

Community Invited To Meeting On Trinity Roundabout And Neighborhood Associations Oct. 16

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 2, 2017

ABWFLA News:

A Better Way for LA invites the public to attend a fall meeting Monday, Oct. 16, at the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce at 15th Street and Central Avenue. A light supper will be provided.

The program begins at 7 p.m. with a talk by local resident William Mead on the “History of Roundabout Decisions for N.M. 502 in Los Alamos County”. The planned roundabout at the intersection of Trinity Drive and Central Avenue will force drivers to travel in conflicting “circular” paths, negatively impacting both pedestrians and vehicles.

Next, Heather Ortega will present a talk on “Neighborhood Read More

Keller Issues Risk Advisory On Guardianship Services

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 1, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― State Auditor Tim Keller issued a Risk Advisory raising concerns about the Development Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) Office of Guardianship.

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) conducted an initial review of the statewide program that oversees companies that provide guardianship services of last resort for disabled adults who are incapacitated. The OSA’s review revealed a widespread failure of the Office of Guardianship to adequately oversee contract guardians. Earlier this year, co-founders of a

Los Alamos County Council Proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 1, 2017

Police Chief Dino Sgambellone adds some finishing touches in 2014 to the rock in White Rock together with a group gathered to send the message that men as well as women oppose domestic violence. Police officers who see the effects of domestic violence on men, women and children in their work every day are keenly aware of its negative consequences. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council presented a proclamation declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month to Police Chief Dino Sgambellone during its regular meeting Tuesday evening Read More

Governor: New Mexico True Scholars Program

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 1, 2017

PED Sec. Christopher Ruszkowski, HED Sec. Barbara Damron, Gov. Susana Martinez, NMTD Sec. Rebecca Latham, EDD Sec. Matt Geisel, and Flagship Food Group CEO Rob Holland with 4-H and Future Farmers of America students from the Albuquerque area after the announcement Friday of the 505 Southwestern New Mexico True Scholars program. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Gov. Susana Martinez has announced the first year of the 505 Southwestern New Mexico True Scholars scholarship program, which recognizes students with a passion for the future of agriculture in New Mexico. The scholarship Read More

Richard Nixon’s Western White House Up For Sale

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 1, 2017

Richard Nixon’s Western White House is for sale and priced at $63.5 million. Courtesy photo

NATIONAL News:

Richard Nixon and his family were Californians who moved back and forth from Washington, D. C., depending on whether or not he was holding a political office such as senator, Vice President to Dwight D. Eisenhower or as the 37th President of the United States.

Nixon grew up dirt poor, but as he said, wasn’t aware of their poverty at the time, assuming everyone lived that way. During his political career, especially in his 1952 Checkers speech, which he gave to dispel

Jewish Council For Public Affairs Deeply Troubled By Record-Low Refugee Cap

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 1, 2017

JCPA News:

NEW YORK, NY ― The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is deeply troubled by the Administration’s proposal to cap Fiscal Year 2018 refugee admissions at just 45,000—less than half of the current number—particularly given the scope of the international refugee crisis and other strife around the world.

This figure is the lowest refugee cap set by any president since the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was established in 1980.

JCPA urges Congress to pass legislation that protects America’s global leadership in welcoming immigrants and offering

State Auditor Tim Keller Confirms Investigation Into City Of Las Vegas, NM

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on September 30, 2017

New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

SANTA FE – State Auditor Tim Keller confirmed Friday that the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is designating the City of Las Vegas for a special investigation.

The OSA will examine concerns related to procurement such as conflicts of interest with a city vendor, contracting without seeking competitive prices, and budget adjustments without the approval of the Las Vegas City Council.

“We are going to look into concerns about whether the City of Las Vegas has followed the rules when it comes to purchasing,” Keller said. “Competitive bidding and Read More

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