Political News

Heinrich Vies For New Mexico To Be Future Host Of Outdoor Retailer Trade Show

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2017
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has released a letter vying for New Mexico to host the Outdoor Retailer trade show, which generates more than $45 million in annual economic impact. 

Over the last 20 years, the trade show, hosted by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) representing more than 1,200 outdoor businesses nationally, has been held in Salt Lake City. 

 
However, OIA just announced that it will no longer hold its twice-yearly
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Meet Los Alamos County’s New Economic Development Administrator Joan Ahlers

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on February 17, 2017

Joan Ahlers is the new Economic Development Administrator for Los Alamos County. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

 

 

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

 

Joan Ahlers landed her dream job. On Dec. 5, she started as the Economic Development Administrator for Los Alamos County.

 

Ahlers oversees the Economic Development Division, which addresses numerous issues including real estate and County property negotiations, housing and rehabilitation of existing housing issues, the new branding initiative, tourism and attractions and contracts with the local Read More

House Judiciary Passes Bill To Protect CYFD Workers

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2017
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Feb. 14, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Reps. Monica Youngblood (R-Bernalillo) and Sharon Clahchischilliage (R-San Juan) to shield child protective service employees from harm.
 
Their legislation, House Bill 44, would increase protections for employees of the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) by making it a crime to commit assault or battery on a CYFD employee while they are performing their job duties.
 
“CYFD workers are often asked to intervene in volatile situations, and they deserve
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SGR Pulls HB 50 Back To House Judiciary Committe

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2017

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Today, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (D-Los Alamos) pulled HB 50 back into the House Judiciary Committee to allow for more input and consideration on the bill:

“I want to thank everyone who has reached out to talk about HB50. The goal of this important piece of legislation has always been to find a balance between increasing public safety while protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

“In conversations with voters and my fellow Representatives, it is clear that we still have some more work to do to ensure we aren’t treading on individual Read More

House Committee Shuts Window On Solar

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― House Republicans voted Thursday against House Bill 193 in the House Business and Industry Committee along a partisan 5-5 vote.
 
HB 193 would have made permanent and expanded New Mexico’s investment in solar energy, creating jobs and diversifying the state’s economy at a time when its over reliance on oil and gas has left us in a deep financial crisis. Sponsored by Representative Daymon Ely (D-Corrales), HB 193 made permanent the Solar Market Development Tax Credits as well as offering them to both private individuals, low income families as well as commercial
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Council Okays Special Election For Recreation Bond

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on February 16, 2017

County Councilor James Chrobocinski makes a motion to approve the special election for the $20 million recreation bond, which passed unanimously. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

 

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post

The Los Alamos County Council unanimously passed the resolution to hold a special election for a $20 million recreation bond during its regular meeting Tuesday night. The special election will be held May 23.

If voters approve the bond, Council anticipates utilizing up to $13.5 million of Capital Improvement Project funds in order Read More

Public Official ‘Cooling Off’ Bill Continues To Advance

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017

STATE News:

 
SANTA FE ― The House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 73 Tuesday, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Dines (R-Bernalillo) to enhance “cooling off” standards for New Mexico public officials.
 
The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Doña Ana) and Rep. Nathan Small (D-Doña Ana).
 
Dines’ legislation would restrict certain former state officials from becoming compensated lobbyists for at least two years after leaving their public positions.
 
The restriction would apply to statewide elected officials, legislators, cabinet secretaries and
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Council Approves Brush & Bulk Collection Changes

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on February 16, 2017

From left, Environmental Sustainability Board Chair John Bliss, Environmental Services Manager Angelica Gurule and Public Works Director Philo Shelton answer Council questions about the board’s recommendation for the brush and bulk collection program during Tuesday’s meeting. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

 

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post

During its meeting Tuesday night, the Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved changing the way brush and bulk items are collected in this community.

Council approved the Environmental Sustainability Read More

House Passes Data Breach Notification Act

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 16, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 15, known as the Data Breach Notification Act. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Bill Rehm (R-Bernalillo).

House Bill 15 would require service providers to implement reasonable procedures to protect the personal identifying information (PII) of consumers within their custody. It also would require providers to notify consumers whose PII may have been compromised by a security breach. Notice must be given to the Attorney General’s Office and major consumer reporting agencies about Read More

County Council Pushes RV Park Idea Forward

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on February 16, 2017

Los Alamos resident Craig Martin. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Los Alamos resident Craig Martin discusses establishing a downtown gateway RV Park during Tuesday night’s County Council meeting held in Council Chambers.

The Council unanimously approved inviting Martin and other interested individuals to work with the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Committee to further vet the idea of a RV park and include strategic tourism master planning.

  Read More

New Mexico Internet Connection Speed Similar To Iraq And Molodova

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― New Mexico Internet connection speed ranks 48th in the nation and is similar to the average connection speed of Iraq and Molodova. According to Federal Communication Commission study, even a 7 percent increase in broadband adoption could create an estimated 15,000 jobs to New Mexico.
 
The New Mexico Senate overwhelmingly approved two measures Tuesday aimed at creating jobs and opportunities through increased broadband access and increased Internet speed across the state.
 
Senate Bill 24 sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla, which passed
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Armstrong Bill To Create Public-Private Partnership To Fight Diabetes In New Mexico Passes House

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017
Rep. Debbie Armstrong
 
STATE News:
 
The New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously passed HB 87 Monday, a bill sponsored by Rep. Debbie Armstrong to help reduce diabetes in New Mexico by creating a public-private partnership to help state agencies develop strategies to combat diabetes among the populations they serve.
 
Specifically, under HB 87, the Secretary of Health would convene a Diabetes Committee of state agencies including:
  • The Department of Health,
  • The Corrections Department,
  • The Human Services Department,
  • The Aging and Long-term Services Department
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Legislation To Add Solar Power On State Buildings Passes Key Senate Committee

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― The Senate Conservation Committee Feb. 14 voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 227, a bill that would require the State to utilize solar power 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 (D- 36-Dona Ana), the sponsor of SB 227, said the move would be a huge win-win opportunity for the state of New Mexico.
 
“By harnessing our abundant solar resources on state buildings, we would not only save taxpayers potentially millions of dollars of utility costs
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Udall Calls For Investigation Of NSA’s Flynn And Russia’s Involvement With Trump Administration

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday on the resignation of National Security Adviser General Michael Flynn.
 
Udall called for a full independent investigation into the influence of the Russian government on the Trump administration and the 2016 election. 
 
“General Flynn’s resignation underscores the urgent need for a full investigation into this administration’s troubling associations with the Russian
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Early Childhood Education Investment Moves Forward

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2017
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― A major investment in early childhood education, House Joint Resolution 1, has cleared the House Local Government, Elections, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee.
 
House Joint Resolution 1 proposes to amend the New Mexico Constitution to increase funding for early childhood education.
 
Sponsored by Representatives Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and Antonio “Moe” Maestas (D-Albuquerque), HJR1 seeks to increase enrollment in early childhood education programs, create 4,000 jobs, and provide a strong return on investment to
Read More

State Auditor Releases List Of ‘At Risk’ Agencies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 16, 2017

New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

SANTA FE – State Auditor Tim Keller released the annual list of New Mexico’s state and local governments considered “At Risk” based on the latest audit cycle.

Government agencies are placed on the list if they fail to submit annual audits or receive audit opinions that indicate significant problems with their financial statements. If public funds are not audited, the risks of fraud and abuse increase.

“The ‘At Risk List’ helps policymakers and the public easily identify which entities are behind schedule or reporting financial information that Read More

Governor Cuddles Los Alamos Baby Caleb McNiff

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 16, 2017

One of Los Alamos’s newest arrivals, Caleb McNiff, meets Gov. Susana Martinez while his parents, Aaron and Heather McNiff, receive the Star Client Award for Northern New Mexico Stump Grinders. The award was made recently by the Small Business Development Center at UNM-Los Alamos. Brothers Ryan and Aaron McNiff are the owners of the company recognized on the floor of the Legislature. Courtesy photo Read More

Los Alamos Deputy County Manager Brian Bosshardt Accepts Top City Job In Bedford, Texas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 15, 2017
Deputy County Manager Brian Bosshardt in his office today at the Municipal Building has taken a new job in Texas. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
 
 
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post

After almost seven years working as the Deputy County Manager Brian Bosshardt is moving on in his career. Bosshardt has accepted a position as city manager for Bedford, Texas. He will begin his new job in April.

“It’s a natural progression in my career; it’s the next step,” Bosshardt said.

He added he has a defined set of colleagues and friends in the Dallas area. Plus, with 98 percent of Bedford Read More

Bill On Dog And Cat Overpopulation Passes House

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 15, 2017
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― House Bill (HB) 123, sponsored by Rep. Carl Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), was introduced in direct response to persistent requests from legislators seeking a funding mechanism for statewide, low-cost spay-neuter services.
 
HB 123 is designed to provide sustained and robust funding to reduce New Mexico’s dog and cat overpopulation problem that results in over 65,000 homeless animals being euthanized each year.
 
In 2011, Senate Memorial 36 requested a study to identify the most effective way to establish and sustain a fund to help with the cost of spay/neuter
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