Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Rep. Kelly Fajardo Leads Effort To Reform New Mexico’s Capital Outlay System

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 31, 2017

Rep. Kelly Fajardo (R-Valencia)

House Republican Communications News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Kelly Fajardo (R-Valencia) and Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Doña Ana) introduced legislation to reform New Mexico’s capital outlay system. Their bill, Senate Bill 262, would create a new transparent evaluation process to allocate funding to the state’s capital projects.

“For years, lawmakers have been discussing ways to improve our current capital outlay process. It’s time to move from talk to action,” Fajardo said. “As legislators, we have a duty to ensure government money is being spent efficiently, Read More

Luján’s Staff Holding Mobile Office Hours In Central Park Square Until Noon Today

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 31, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

COMMUNITY News:

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján’s staff is holding mobile office hours until noon today at projectY cowork, 150 Central Park Square in Los Alamos.

Mobile office hours provide constituents who may not have the means or time to travel to one of Luján’s six district offices greater access to the services offered (https://lujan.house.gov/help- with-a-federal-agency/).

Staff is on hand to assist residents who have questions regarding Social Security benefits, immigration applications, veterans’ services and

SGR Invites Los Alamos Students To Serve As Pages

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 31, 2017

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos greets her pages for the day, Violet Henderson and Becca Massa, at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Both girls also are from Los Alamos and SGR invited their Girl Scout Troop to serve as pages during this legislative session. Courtesy photo Read More

Letter To The Editor: Thank You For The Coverage

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 31, 2017

By SUE BARNS

Los Alamos

I just wanted to thank the Los Alamos Daily Post for publishing the press releases from our Congressmen (Sen. Tom Udall, Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan).

While I know that local issues are important, and you do a great job of covering them, in these troubling times it is critical to also know how our elected officials are working on issues of national importance.

THANK YOU for doing this important work!

Bill To Mandate Background Checks For Public Education Employees Passes First Hurdle

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 31, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Jan. 30, the House Labor and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved House Bill 190, a bill sponsored by Rep. David Adkins (R-Bernalillo) to require all public education employees to complete a fingerprint-based background check. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe).

The bill, also known as the Children First Protection Bill, would close a loophole in current law that allows employees who began working in their school districts prior to 1998 to continuing working without having a background check

House Committee To Review ‘Bear Bill’ Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 31, 2017

Karen Williams of Los Aamos

STATE News:

House Bill 109, WILD ANIMAL BITE & ATTACK PROCEDURES, is on the agenda for review Thursday by the House State Government, Indian and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. This is the bill created by runner Karen Williams of Los Aamos who was attacked by a mother bear protecting her cubs when Williams came too close while running a marathon near the Valles Cadera.

The mama bear was subsequently located and killed so the brain could be tested for rabies. Her 10-pound cubs were eventually rescued from high up in a tree and taken to Cottonwood Rehabilatation Read More

Udall, Heinrich Urge Trump To Exempt Department Of Veterans Affairs From Hiring Freeze

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 31, 2017

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined 51 of their Senate and House colleagues in urging President Trump to exempt the entire Department of Veterans Affairs and all veterans seeking federal jobs from his executive order that freezes federal hiring.

In a letter to the president, the lawmakers emphasized the devastating impacts that a hiring freeze would have on veterans and their families by delaying their access to health care and the resolution of their disability claims, and providing fewer

New Mexico Democratic Legislators Roll Out Jobs Package To Jump-Start Ailing Economy

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 31, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Democratic members of the New Mexico Senate and House have announced their priority package of bills to create jobs and spur economic activity, following passage of an urgent $216 million solvency package to address the state’s budget shortfall.

The six bills that the legislators vowed to pass expeditiously include capital outlay infrastructure, a minimum wage increase, broadband expansion, reform of local economic development funds, adjustments to job training programs, and green-lighting industrial hemp research in the state. Democratic

Letter To The Editor: Isn’t It Great We Have Options?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 31, 2017

By Another Concerned Citizen

Los Alamos

Dear Concerned Citizen:

Thank you for speaking up and showing your support for Darryl Sugar (link). Isn’t it wonderful that we have options?

You are right; he is very courageous to run for School Board. I do not doubt his compassion.

You are also right; Mr. Boerigter has not publicly spoken out against Betsy DeVos, however, has Mr. Sugar? If so, I must have missed it.

I do not feel that Mr. Boerigter being a Republican makes him have a ‘rap sheet’. I know many good people who voted Republican. I also know many good people who voted Democrat. I even know good people Read More

Letter To The Editor: I Support Darryl Sugar

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on January 31, 2017

By A Concerned Citizen
Los Alamos

I am writing to voice my support for Darryl Sugar who is running for school board. Upon reading the article about him in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link), I was moved by his commitment to using the tough times in his life to help better our school system, both for his own grandchildren, and the other kids in the community.

I think that it is admirable that he attempted to drop out quietly to avoid embarrassing his family with his past regarding the unexpected death of his wife and his tragic suicide attempt soon after. And I find it even more heartening that his family Read More

Udall, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Expand Relief For Victims Of Radiation Exposure

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 30, 2017

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that they have renewed efforts to expand restitution for New Mexicans and others who have been affected by exposure to radiation during the development and testing of nuclear weapons in the Cold War by reintroducing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joined Udall and Heinrich in introducing the bill that would expand compensation eligibility to more areas of

Heinrich To Trump: Read The 2014 Torture Report

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 30, 2017

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Jan. 26, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to read the classified version of the committee’s 2014 report on the CIA detention and interrogation program before considering the possible resumption of such activities.

Heinrich strongly supported the release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s report on the CIA’s detention and interrogation program and backs a series

Chapman: Thoughts On The First Lady…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

By RALPH E. CHAPMAN

Los Alamos

Original parts ©Ralph E. Chapman 2017

As part of a series of columns on our Society, including our responsibilities (duties) to it, (see the link to the starting column).

I wanted to start with a discussion in more detail of a very small part of the current political environment – a general discussion on The First Lady. In this, I am actually talking in generalities and not of the specific/current First Lady Melania Trump, although I will obviously discuss some things relevant to her.

I do this in the hopes of making a very small contribution to the mellowing of our national Read More

Letter To The Editor: 100 Percent Behind Ellen Ben-Naim For School Board

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

By The Rittner Family

Los Alamos

We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Ellen Ben-Naim to be a member of the Los Alamos School Board. Presently, we have two children in the Los Alamos Public School system. It has been our privilege to know and work with Ellen Ben-Naim for 16 years.

Ellen has a Master’s Degree in an education-related field, and has been actively involved in the Los Alamos Public Schools for many years. This has included participation in the Budget, Homework, and Advisory Committees, and Parent Council. Her work on these committees and others Read More

AG Hosts Human Trafficking Conference To Train New Mexico Law Enforcement And Service Providers

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

PUBLIC SAFETY News:

ALBUQUERQUE – This week, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced he is hosting the 2017 New Mexico Human Trafficking Conference for law enforcement, first responders, prosecutors, victim advocates, medical staff, service providers and social workers. The conference is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Albuquerque Marriott.

In 2016, the Office of the Attorney General Human Trafficking Unit conducted eight search warrants, six arrest warrants, four labor trafficking cases, 33 sex trafficking cases, 31 victim interviews, Read More

Udall On Trump Immigration Executive Order

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall released the following statement on President Trump’s executive order banning refugees and immigrants to the U.S. from several majority Muslim nations:

“President Trump’s anti-muslim, anti-immigrant executive order is shameful, and it is an affront to our history and our values. Beyond its moral repugnance, I believe there are serious constitutional problems with this new Trump policy. The United States has always led by example on the world stage, unapologetically Read More

Letter To The Editor: Can’t Wait For Others To Act

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

By A Very Concerned Citizen

Los Alamos

I am writing because in light of recent national events, I am finding it difficult to sit back and wait for others to do the right thing. I need to act.

I consider myself an empathetic person. People go through difficult times and often make poor choices. I get it. But Darryl Sugar has entered the race for School Board by lying to us. He dropped out of the race citing time constraints (link), and then re-entered admitting he had lied (link).

I can have compassion for a doctor who got addicted to drugs. I would try to be kind to a doctor who sold drugs (although this one

Luján On Removal Of Chairman Of Joint Chiefs And Director Of Intelligence From National Security Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

From the Office Of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján issued the following statement after President Trump today removed the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from the Principals Committee of the National Security Council. Trump added his chief political strategist, Steve Bannon and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.

“Today’s move by President Trump to stack the National Security Council with political strategists is a worrisome, ill-considered and a dangerous move by the President. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Marching For Life Is Not Enough

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 30, 2017

By KHALIL SPENCER

Los Alamos

Michael Brown spends much of his polemic comparing the peaceful and positive nature of the March for Life to the sometimes rowdy and occasionally rude Women’s March. I am relieved, however, that “…there will be no calls to burn down or blow up abortion clinics..” and thus Brown and his colleagues repudiate the bombing of abortion clinics or executions of abortion providers. But even if he promises a peaceful resistance against abortions, it takes more than marching around, writing letters to the editor, or having Catholic priests tell Read More

2017 School Board Election Information

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 29, 2017

Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Absentee voting for the Feb. 7, 2017 Los Alamos Public Schools and UNM-LA Board elections ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, in the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave., Suite 240.

Election Day (Feb. 7) Polling Places: