Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

State Drunk Driving Ads Recognized Nationally

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2017

Gov. Susana Martinez

NMDOT News:

SANTA FE ― Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that one of the state’s TV ad campaigns called, “Reality Series – Over the Limit,” to combat DWI is featured on the Governors Highway Safety Association’s website. This showcases what New Mexico is doing to fight drunk driving to other states.

“I am very pleased that New Mexico can be an example to other states,” Martinez said. “Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable and my administration will do everything in our power to stop it – because even one death to a drunk driver

Attorney General Balderas Announces Technology Grant Opportunity For Schools, Local Government Agencies

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 4, 2017

AG News:

SANTA FE ― Yesterday, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the opening of a grant application period for the distribution of technology grants to New Mexico schools, colleges, universities, and local government agencies.

These entities can apply for funds to support innovative technology projects, including equipment purchase, via the DRAM Settlement Fund, a result of a computer industry lawsuit settled by the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General, in which the state was awarded approximately $294,000. These funds will be awarded to public agencies,

Happy Independence Day Los Alamos!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2017

Signing the Declaration of Independence. Courtesy/military.com

Staff Report

July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States.

Each year on July 4th, Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.

Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution Read More

Video Highlights Importance Of National Monuments

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) released a video highlighting the economic impact that national monuments have had in their states and across the country.

In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at rescinding national monument designations made by President Obama under the Antiquities Act. The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments in New Mexico, the Gold

Senators Introduce Strongest Legislative Package Of Sportsmen’s Priorities In Years

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 3, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Only hours ahead of their departure for the Fourth of July recess, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), and a bipartisan group of senators introduced S. 1514, a strong package of bills that would benefit fish and wildlife habitat nationwide, while funding critical watershed restoration efforts in the Mid-Atlantic and improving access for recreational shooters on public lands.

The legislation would:

Reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act—a grant program through which each federal dollar

Korean War Veteran Paul Elkins Tells His Story: Part 1

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 2, 2017

Korean War Veteran Paul Elkins of Los Alamos shares his experiences prior to and during the war. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

MSgt. Paul Elkins. Courtesy photo

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series about Korean War Veteran Paul Elkins of Los Alamos.

Last month marked 67 years since the beginning of the Korean War, sometimes called the Forgotten War, in which almost 40,000 Americans died and more than 100,000 were wounded. This war, which lasted three years and two days, will never be forgotten Read More

Historic Preservation Advisory Board

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on July 2, 2017

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Historic Preservation Advisory Boardmeets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 5 in the Fuller Lodge Throne Room.

The meeting is open to the public.

Agenda

I. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
A. Call to Order/Introductions
B. Approval of Today’s Agenda
C. Review/Approval of Meeting Minutes (1) 9641-17 Minutes from the Historic Preservation Advisory Board Meeting June 7, 2017 Recommendation: I move that the Board approve the Minutes for June 7, 2017. Presenters: Mark Rayburn 1 – June 7, 2017 HPAB Meeting Minutes DraftAttachments:

Udall Joins In Introducing Bipartisan Bill To Combat Native American Veteran Homelessness

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 2, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall joined Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to combat homelessness and improve direct support services for Native American veterans.

Hoeven and Udall are the chairman and vice-chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Tester and Isakson are the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

The legislation, the Tribal HUD-VASH Act would formally authorize

House Committee Passes Resilient Federal Forest Act

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 2, 2017

NWTF News:

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation commends the House Committee on Natural Resources for the passage of H.R.2936 as well as Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) for his continued efforts to improve the management of our federal forests.

The Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, introduced by Westerman earlier this month, aims to increase proactive forest management to combat catastrophic wildfires, promote healthy and sustainable forests and create early successional wildlife habitat.

The act would streamline a multitude of

Pearce Statement On The Corporate Transparency Act

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 1, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, Thursday released the following statement after Representative Maloney (NY-12) introduced the Corporate Transparency Act:

“Too often, funding for national and international crime is facilitated through anonymous businesses and corporations. The United States must do more to cut off the ability of criminal enterprises to launder money through anonymous shell companies. The

Pearce Backs Bills For Safer Communities, Calls For Better Immigration System

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 30, 2017

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON D.C. ― Congressman Steve Pearce yesterday released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3003, No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, and H.R. 3004, Kate’s Law, to combat sanctuary cities and enhance public safety. H.R. 3003 will work to prevent sanctuary cities by withholding certain federal grants from cities that refuse to comply with our nation’s immigration laws.

“We in New Mexico know firsthand the challenges that come with a broken and outdated immigration

American Federation Of Teachers New Mexico React To New Mexico ESSA Plan

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 29, 2017

AFT News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement regarding the ESSA education plan:

“New Mexico educators know the analysis of a for-profit group of so-called reform minded consultants, executives, and coaches cannot be taken at face value when they claim our state’s ESSA education plan was rated ‘best in the nation’ of the 17 plans submitted so far to the federal government.

Honesty and transparency would reveal the plan basically rewrites Hanna Skandera’s

Pearce Introduces Bill To Honor Bataan Veterans

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 29, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Tuesday introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the troops and nurses who fought in the defense of Bataan, Corregidor, Guam, Wake Island and the Philippine Archipelago during World War II.

“This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March. The events associated with the March, and the March itself, hold tremendous historical significance for New Mexico. Nearly 2,000 of the men involved were members of New Mexico National Guard units. The Battle

Udall: EPA’s Budget Proposes ‘Offensive’ Widespread Cuts Threatening Public Health, Clean Air, Clean Water

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 29, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 27, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), demanded that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt explain the administration’s dangerous and “offensive” proposal to slash funding for programs essential to the EPA’s core mission of protecting clean air, clean water, and public health.

VIDEO: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/review-of-the-fy2018-budget-request-for-the-environmental-protection-agency

LAPS Presents CIP Plans For Leased Facilities

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on June 29, 2017

Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kurt Steinhaus makes a presentation to County Council regarding the school district’s proposed capital improvement projects to some of its lease facilities. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Los Alamos Public Schools officials presented three capital improvement projects to Los Alamos County Council during its regular meeting Tuesday night in hopes the Council will approve capital improvement funds for the projects at a future meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Kurt Steinhaus discussed the projects, Read More

Attorney General Hector Balderas Endorses Lujan Grisham For Governor

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 28, 2017

POLITICAL News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Tuesday his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham for governor of New Mexico.

The endorsement is the first made by a sitting statewide elected official in New Mexico’s 2018 gubernatorial race.

“As Attorney General, I am committed to building on the progress we’ve made to make New Mexico safer for children and families, protect seniors from fraud and abuse, and ensure big corporations do not take advantage of consumers,” Balderas said. “I am also standing up to challenge President

Pearce On Proposed Rule Rolling Back WOTUS

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 28, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule to rollback the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Rule:

“This is great news for stronger job growth throughout New Mexico. Under the WOTUS Rule, Washington bureaucrats were given complete authority to regulate small streams along with natural and manmade ditches on lands owned by farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. This unlawful expansion

Pearce Voices Priorities Of New Mexico Resources

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 27, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M. voiced New Mexico land and resource priorities Monday at the House Committee on Natural Resources hearing with Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

“New Mexico is rich with natural wonders and abundant resources. From natural resource production, to the management and maintenance of federal lands, New Mexican’s are greatly affected by decisions that come out of the Department of the Interior. Today, I was able to highlight a number of issues that affect

Keller: New Mexico Higher Education Department Audit Contains 18 Findings Related To Financial Oversight

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on June 27, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

18 findings exacerbated by state’s budget woes, hiring freeze

SANTA FE – Today, State Auditor Tim Keller released the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s (HED) financial audit for fiscal year 2016.

The audit was conducted in partnership with an independent accounting firm and contains 18 findings. The issues identified relate to a range of problems with financial oversight.

“The Higher Education Department’s audit demonstrates the impact spending cuts can have on safeguards aimed at protecting taxpayers’ money,” Keller said. “When an agency Read More

New Mexico Communities Receive $38.5 Million In PILT

Submitted by Chris Clark on June 27, 2017

USDI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced Monday that 32 local governments in New Mexico are receiving a total of $38.5 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2017.

The payments are New Mexico’s share of the record $464.6 million distributed to 1,900 local governments around the country this year — the largest amount ever allocated in the PILT program’s 40-year history. This continues to underscore the Trump Administration’s commitment to rural communities. A full list of funding by state and county is available

LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems