Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Lunch With A Leader Features New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels March 21

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2017

New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Charles W. Daniels

LWVLA News:

This month’s Lunch with a Leader features Chief Justice Charles Daniels of the New Mexico Supreme Court at 11:45 a.m., March 21 in Mesa Public Library.

Justice Daniels will discuss bail reform in New Mexico — working to improve public safety while protecting individual rights. He was initially appointed to the Supreme Court in October 2007 by recommendation of the nonpartisan Judicial Nominating Commission. He was unopposed in the 2008 primary and general elections and elected to continue in the position.

Letter To The Editor: Background Checks Needed For All Gun Sales

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2017

By CATHY WEBER

Los Alamos

I am writing because I support requiring background checks for all gun sales. As a mom and member of Moms Demand Action, I know gun safety is good for kids and families.

Right now, the New Mexico legislature is considering bills that would expand criminal background checks for gun sales to include purchases from unlicensed sellers over the Internet and at gun shows. The background check bill would close the dangerous unlicensed sale loophole and make it harder for criminals to buy guns from strangers in unlicensed sales at gun shows.

Weak gun Read More

Letter To The Editor: If You Really Want A Background Check Bill Passed … Tell ‘Moms’ And ‘Everytown’ To Sit Down, Shut Up, And Listen

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

By KHALIL J. SPENCER

Los Alamos

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry when I read the latest pro “background check” letter (by Amber Espinosa-Trujillo) in what seems to be an orchestrated letter writing campaign by Everytown for Gun Safety/Moms Demand Action.

Indeed, it has probably been the tone-deafness and intransigence of that group (both “Everytown” and “Moms” are names for “Astroturf” organizations supported by New York City billionaire Michael Bloomberg) that have stood in the way of a background bill passing out of the legislature.

The out of state lobbyists and their Read More

Governor Acts On Three More Bills

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez acted on the following legislation Saturday:

Signed House Bill 12 – Close Certain Taos & Colfax Magistrate Courts [MESSAGE]
Vetoed Senate Bill 200 – Certified School Employee Program Units [MESSAGE]
Vetoed Senate Bill 6 – Industrial Hemp Research Rules [MESSAGE]

Letter To The Editor: Strip ’Em To Their Skivvies And Light One Off!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

By Dr. T. DOUGLAS REILLY

Los Alamos

Back in the 1970’s, Harold Agnew,* third director of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL), presented a Director’s Colloquium to explain his congressional testimony regarding a proposed Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). He feared the world’s leaders would soon forget the destructive power of nuclear weapons, so he proposed the following:

“Every five or so years, gather the world’s leaders on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific, ‘strip ’em to their skivvies,’ and ‘Light one off!’ First they’d be blinded

Bill Restricting Isolated Confinement Passes House

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

STATE News:

HB 175 Restricts New Mexico Correctional Facilities’ Use of Outdated & Inhumane Practice

SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives passed House Bill 175, the Isolated Confinement Act, in a 38-22 vote Saturday evening.

HB 175 restricts the use of isolated confinement in New Mexico prisons and jails for pregnant women, minors and those suffering from severe mental illness. It also sets a 48-hour maximum for isolated confinement in cases of emergency and a five-day maximum upon initial booking.

“Isolated confinement is overused and misused Read More

Letter To The Editor: Internet And Gun Show Sales

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

By AMBER ESPINOSA-TRUJILLO

Santa Fe

I am hopeful that this is the legislative session when we will close the background check loophole on Internet and gun show gun sales. We have lost too many lives to senseless gun violence in New Mexico.

A fews years ago, my daughter came home excited because they installed bulletproof glass at Kearny Elementary, and it would be safer if an active shooter came to the campus. Really, is gun violence what we want our kids to be worrying about as they go to school? For this reason, I am a member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Let’s do what we can and

AFTNM On Senate Passage Of House Bill 2

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly

AFTNM News:

Changes to Previously Passed House Version Prioritize Education

SANTA FE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement on the New Mexico Senate’s passage Of House Bill 2:

“Senate Finance Committee amendments to the General Appropriations Act of 2017 (House Bill 2/a), builds upon the work from the House of Representatives, and continues to keep the needs of the New Mexico’s public schools in the forefront of budgetary priorities in an extremely difficult

House Approves Bill To Protect Nonprofit Volunteers

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 12, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to protect volunteers from personal liability when they are performing services for nonprofit organizations.

House Bill 224 is sponsored by Reps. Yvette Herrell (R-Otero) and Bob Wooley (R-Chaves, Lea & Roosevelt).

The provisions of the legislation would cover properly trained volunteers acting in good faith and within the scope of their assigned duties. The legislation would only apply to individuals who are not compensated for their services, and it would not exempt board members

Heinrich On 16 Million New Private-Sector Jobs

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 12, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich issued the following statement after February’s employment report showed more than 16 million private-sector jobs have been created over the past 84 months.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added 235,000 jobs in February.

“Today’s jobs numbers make clear what we have known for some time: President Trump did not inherit a mess, in fact he inherited one of the longest expansions in American history. The challenge before us is how to put that

House Passes Memorial To Protect Chaco Canyon

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2017

Kin Bineola is an Ancestral Puebloan great house and archeological site 12 miles from Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Courtedy/NPS

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Tonight, House Memorial 70, the Protection of Chaco Canyon Landscape, sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo), passed the New Mexico House of Representatives in a 31-28 party-line vote.

HM 70 requests that the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) respect their established relationship with tribal entities by consulting with tribes on any hydraulic fracking operations around Read More

Letter To The Editor: What’s Next For The Sheriff?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2017

By DAVID NORTH

Los Alamos

A brief lull between elections is a fine time to reflect on recent results. Particularly the fate of the Sheriff.

First the Los Alamos County Council arrogated most of the Sheriff’s duties to the police department. Then five councilors put on a full-court press to eliminate the office entirely, narrowly losing their political gamble.

The result? A Sheriff with only a single official duty and a council that likely wishes the whole thing would just go away.

Not likely.

The Sheriff was recently back in the news advocating changes

Bill To Rein In Predatory Loan Practices Clears Hurdle

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 11, 2017

Rep. Patty Lundstrom

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Rep. Patty Lundstrom’s (D-Gallup) bill to rein in predatory loan practices has passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 9-1 vote.

HB 347 would limit the fees and charges financial institutions add to installment loans, also known as payday loans, and implement financial literacy programs in the state.

“We need to make sure the consumer financial market works for everyday New Mexicans, not just the well-connected,” said Representative Patty Lundstrom (D-Gallup). “New Mexicans deserve access to

Luján Introduces Two Measures Designed To Increase Transparency In Political Advertising

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 11, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), introduced two pieces of legislation March 8 to increase transparency and openness in the political system by making it easier to determine exactly who is sponsoring and paying for political ads.

Luján’s bills make it easier to determine who is funding anonymous political ads and require that information filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about those ads be more available and accessible to the public.

“Since the Citizens United decision

Letter To The Editor: Veto Override Of HB241 Hurts

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 11, 2017

By CHARLES BOWYER

NEW-NM Executive Director

Gov. Susana Martinez doesn’t think teachers are human, too, since she vetoed HB 241 introduced by Republican legislators.

The veto is inhumane – hurting both students and educators. House Bill 241 recognizes that teachers might occasionally need to take sick leave.

Fortunately the majority in both the House (only three votes against) and Senate (unanimously in favor) do believe teachers are human, too.

Educators statewide urge the House and the Senate to override the Governor’s

Udall Votes Against Friedman For Ambassador To Israel

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 11, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― March 9, in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall voted against confirming David Friedman for ambassador to Israel.

Udall cited Friedman’s litany of well-documented, extreme, and inflammatory positions and statements maligning members of the Senate, the Obama administration, other public officials, and prominent Jewish organizations.

The Committee advanced Mr. Friedman’s nomination by a narrow 12 to 9 margin, and

Solar Panels On State Buildings Passes Committee

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 11, 2017

HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE ― An important committee of the New Mexico House of Representatives March 9 voted on a bipartisan basis to advance Senate Bill 227, a bill requiring state government to install solar energy panels on its 750 buildings, so long as it would provide a net savings on utility costs and not require any upfront costs.

Sen. Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation will give taxpayers and the State potentially huge potential savings on electric and energy costs.

The bill now moves to the

AG Scam Alert: Attorney General Warns Consumers About Top Scams Hitting New Mexico

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 10, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

PUBLIC SAFETY News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― On Day 6 of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Balderas issued a Scam Alert for the top scams hitting New Mexico consumers.

“During Consumer Protection Week, I’m urging New Mexicans to educate themselves about the most common scams hitting New Mexico households and how to spot them before it’s too late,” Balderas said. “Never, ever give out your personal or financial information to someone who calls or emails you.”

Top scams hitting New Mexico households

Offers

Bill To Invest In New Mexico Infrastructure Projects Passes House

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 10, 2017

STATE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE ― A bill that would invest in New Mexico infrastructure projects passed the New Mexico House, March 9, by a bipartisan vote of 47-20.

HB 405 allows the State Investment Council (SIC) to invest half of the state’s permanent fund infrastructure investments on infrastructure projects in New Mexico.

“By investing in our state’s infrastructure we are ensuring job creation and long term economic growth,” bill sponsor Representative Antonio Maestas (D-Albuquerque) said. “It should be the policy of state and local governments to invest

Scenes From Los Alamos ‘Day Without A Woman’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2017

Los Alamos County Councilor Chris Chandler speaks to a crowd of some 200 people gathered Wednesday at Ashley Pond Park for the Day Without A Woman! event as part of International Women’s Day. The goal of the rally was to highlight the economic power and significance that women have in the US and global economies, while calling attention to the economic injustices women continue to face. ‘No doubt many of you are worried about the things that are happening in our country,’ Chandler said. ‘We can all make a difference … Let’s commit to constructive action.’ Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

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