Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Ahead Of March For Science, Udall Urges President To Fill Key Science Posts Throughout Administration

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 21, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in advance of the March for Science, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, joined a group of senators in urging President Trump to appoint well-qualified experts for critical science posts at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and throughout the federal government.

Nearly 100 days into his presidency, President Trump still has not appointed a science advisor, director for the White House OSTP, or a chief technology officer. The White House Office of Science Read More

Letter To The Editor: No Science Rally In Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 21, 2017

By CATHERINE HENSLEY

Los Alamos

I have to respond to a letter in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link) suggesting that we are sleeping through the current challenges to science in our country. I think rather that it is a matter of preaching to the choir.

In a town that exists for the pursuit of science, it seems silly to shout that we believe it. Therefore, three generations of my family will be going to Santa Fe Saturday to remind our state government that we believe in science, and that they should, too. My friends and neighbors already know that. Read More

AG: Record $54.251 Million Tobacco Settlement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 21, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

STATE News:

Payment in excess of $54 million is the largest ever for New Mexico

SANTA FE – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Thursday New Mexico received the largest tobacco settlement payment to date, a total payment of $54,251,491.01.

In late March, the Balderas Administration announced there would be a record payment, in excess of $50 million, because the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) secured an additional $14.5 million after a judge agreed with the OAG that New Mexico was being shortchanged by Big Tobacco. The cigarette industry didn’t Read More

AFTNM On Student Well-Being PISA Results

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 21, 2017

AFT News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s 2015 PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) student well-being results released today:

“Today’s PISA report highlights another troubling statistic for the United States: our students are stressed out, with nearly 68 percent reporting anxiety related to testing, a full 13 percent higher than other international peers. We must treat today’s report with the

Letter To The Editor: Vote No On Recreation Bond

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 21, 2017

By TOM HARRIS

Los Alamos

Once again it appears that a number of our fellow Los Alamos citizens feel compelled to spend our tax dollars to benefit a limited number of county residents.

In this particular case, the Recreation Bond Proposal is being championed by several special interest groups. These include supporters of the already-once-defeated recreational (now called multi-generational) pool, local hockey enthusiasts, softball players, and golfers.

Although I certainly don’t disagree with the concept of our collective taxpayer dollars funding the county’s

Letter To The Editor: Science, Policy And Earth Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 20, 2017

By KHALIL SPENCER

Los Alamos

In Honor of Upcoming Earth Day: Are Science and Politics Immiscible Quantities?

“Americans have reached a point where ignorance, especially of anything related to public policy, is an actual virtue,” the scholar Tom Nichols writes in his timely new book, “The Death of Expertise.” “To reject the advice of experts is to assert autonomy, a way for Americans to insulate their increasingly fragile egos from ever being told they’re wrong about anything. It is a new Declaration of Independence: No longer do we hold these truths to be self-evident, we hold all truths to be Read More

Rally For Science In Santa Fe … But Not Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 20, 2017

By JODY BENSON

Los Alamos

Los Alamos isn’t hosting a Rally or a March for Science. Santa Fe is, though. It will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Earth Day, at the Roundhouse. Get out there with your dedication and brilliance. Remember, there is no planet B, and scientists can prove it.

The organizers of the March state: “The mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue, which has given policymakers permission to reject overwhelming evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a public stand and be Read More

Luján Introduces Series Of Bills To Help States Improve Behavioral Health Systems; Address Inequities

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 20, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has introduced a series of three bills that will help states to address health care inequities, improve services for patients seeking behavioral health treatment and deal with critical shortages in the behavioral health care workforce.

The New Mexico lawmaker noted that today, due to lack of services, those who battle mental health and substance abuse issues often cycle between emergency rooms, jails, and homeless shelters. As a result, too many families are hurting, too

Letter To The Editor: Office Of The Sheriff

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2017

By KHALIL SPENCER

Los Alamos

Regardless of what any of us thinks about keeping the sheriff’s office, the public decided the question of whether to have a sheriff.

Now is the time to carefully define the scope of duties so that this office does more than throw out the first calf at the annual rodeo but on the other hand, doesn’t waste effort duplicating police duties.

Plus, any duty that involves the potential for violence or public interactions that could put the County at risk for a lawsuit requires personnel training that the

Gessing: Governor Was Right To Wield Veto Pen

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2017

By PAUL J. GESSING

Rio Grande Foundation

There has been a lot of criticism of Gov. Martinez in the wake of her use of the veto pen in the wake of the 2017 legislative session. Tough economic times are not fun and New Mexico (unlike most other states in the union) remains in the midst of tough times.

Democrats in the Legislature recently spoke out saying “enough is enough” referring to budget cuts and there have been increasing calls for the Legislature to override certain vetoes.

On can argue the merits or demerits of many of the dozens of vetoes, but the

Legislature Honors UNM-LA Student Kaylen Pocaterra

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2017

From left, UNM-LA Academic Student Success Manager Elizabeth Rademacher, UNM-LA student honoree Kaylen Pocaterra, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and UNM-LA CEO Dr. Cindy Rooney at the New Mexico Legislature. Courtesy photo

UNM-LA News:

UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) student Kaylen Pocaterra was recognized Feb. 27 by the New Mexico Legislature as a member of the 2017 Phi Theta Kappa New Mexico All-State Community College Academic Team. Along with 34 other team members, Pocaterra was applauded for her academic achievements and outstanding academic success.

The students were introduced Read More

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Bring Our Small Town Into The 21st Century … Vote Yes On Rec Bond

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2017

By LYNNE CLARKSON

Los Alamos

As a facilities coordinator for the AAU basketball teams (GO, LA SLAM!) and a member of the Hilltopper Basketball Association (HBA), I can confirm that facilities for sports and recreational activities in Los Alamos are scarce.

Organizations such as youth basketball, soccer, volleyball, adult basketball, roller derby (youth and adult), pickleball, fencing, and martial arts are all competing (i.e. “fighting”)over limited space.

Los Alamos is an active town, with diverse and varied interest. We have been limited by lack of

Letter To The Editor: This Could Happen To You…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2017

By DIANA NORWOOD

Los Alamos

As everyone’s voicing their opinions on “current immigration policies”… here’s what’s actually happening. My mother is “at this very moment”, being fingerprinted, and back ground checked at a facility in Santa Fe. My mother, Lilly, is a “legal immigrant” with a permanent green card for almost 60 years. She’s the wife of a retired U.S. Army Major. My father is a veteran of Korea and Viet Nam. My mother has a social security card, a U.S. military ID card, and a New Mexico drivers license

Los Alamos County Council Tentatively Approves Public Works Department Proposed Budget

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on April 19, 2017

Los Alamos County Public Works Director Philo Shelton presents his department’s proposed budget during Tuesday’s budget hearings in Council Chambers. Regarding one budget item, Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary asked during the Monday night budget hearing about the postponement of the $2.73 million HVAC project at Mesa Public Library. Deputy Manager Steve Lynne explained the original scope only addressed the library’s HVAC system but it was decided to combine the HVAC system with replacing the libraray’s lighting, saying, ‘It was sort of a natural Read More

DPU FY18 Proposed Budget Squeaks By Council

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on April 19, 2017

Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Manager Tim Glasco presents his department’s budget to County Council during Tuesday’s budget hearings. Ultimately, the $71,462,741 proposed budget squeeked by with council’s tentative approval. It was passed 4-3. Councilors Chris Chandler, Antonio Maggiore and Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary opposed the budget while Councilors Rick Reiss, Pete Sheehey, James Chrobocinski and Council Chair David Izraelvitz voted to tentatively approve it. The main points of contention were rate increases which are: Read More

Letter To The Editor: Do We Need More Bread And Circus In Los Alamos?

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 18, 2017

By KHAL SPENCER

Los Alamos

I am somewhat perplexed that the County is pushing for a “recreational bond”.

With the county freezing hirings on critical positions in the fire and police departments and with uncertainty on whether the next national laboratory contract will be a for-profit or nonprofit, this does not seem to be the time to burden the county taxpayer with more debt.

Adding more facilities will require not only bond payments but added staffing and budget line items to maintain them. The result will be more of a burden on the

Detailed Recreation Bond Election Information Now Available Online And At County Clerk’s Office

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2017

COUNTY News:

To provide voters information, Los Alamos County has created a detailed Recreation Bond election voter information booklet. It is available for download online here, at the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office, the County Municipal Building and various County facilities.

Los Alamos County voters will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed $20 million general obligation bond, to be repaid from property taxes for the purpose of designing, acquiring, constructing, purchasing and improving recreation facilities including a multi-generational pool, splash pad and a recreation Read More

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Stand Strong Against Anti-Science Forces

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2017

By STEPHANIE NAKHLEH

Los Alamos

This Saturday, April 22, people from all over northern New Mexico will gather in Santa Fe in support of science. As the event organizers put it, “The March for Science champions science as a pillar for the advancement of human knowledge, progress and prosperity. We unite on April 22, Earth Day, as a diverse, nonpartisan group to call for the freedom of science in the interest of the common good, and for political leaders and policymakers to enact evidence-based policies in the public interest.”

In Los Alamos, we benefit especially from federally-funded science,

Letter To The Editor: Office Of The Sheriff – Let’s Work On This Now

Submitted by CSTadmin on April 18, 2017

By LISA BRENNER

Los Alamos

The following are my comments to County Council April 17, 2017.

Councilors:

I am here to comment on the Office of Sheriff and the Sheriff’s budget. I have to admit that I am dismayed that the budget for the Sheriff has not been reinstated since YOUR Question 1 ballot measure failed. The people of Los Alamos have spoken. We want the Office of Sheriff.

The duties which were in place at election time in 2014 are the duties that the people elected the Sheriff to perform. The manner in which the duties were amended last year appears heavy handed and biased Read More

Council Tentatively Approves Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Office Proposed FY 2018 Budget

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2017

Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero presents his proposed budget this evening to the County Council. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Scene from this evening’s County Council meeting in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Sheriff Marco Lucero addresses Council this evening in Council Chambers. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero presented his proposed FY 2018 budget this evening to the County Council. The council voted 5-2 to tentatively approve the proposed budget Read More

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