Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Udall Urges Congress To Make Changes To Improve And Protect U.S. Mail Service

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 22, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall has joined over 80 members of Congress in signing a letter calling for provisions that improve and protect mail delivery and service to be added to the comprehensive U.S. Postal Service reform legislation that has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In many New Mexico communities, especially in rural areas, the post office is a meeting place and an anchor on Main Street. Udall has heard from many New Mexicans who have expressed concerns about rollbacks in postal service.

Udall, Heinrich Urge President-Elect Trump To Make Good On Promises To ‘Drain The Swamp’ Of Corporate Special Interests In Washington

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 22, 2016

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have announced that they have joined 17 other senators in sending a letter urging President-elect Donald Trump to increase transparency during his transition and keep his promises to reduce the influence of lobbyists and corporate special interests during his transition and in his administration.

Despite a pledge announced last week to limit lobbying by members of the Trump administration, corporate lobbyists and Washington insiders so far have filled many prominent

Jimenez: Public Lands Must Reflect Diversity Of People

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 22, 2016

NMVFC Executive Director James Jimenez at Bryce National Park. Courtesy photo

By James Jimenez, Executive Director

New Mexico Voices For Children

My father and mother raised my four siblings and me to appreciate the beauty of our environment by hiking, mountain climbing, and visiting parks and other natural sites.

At the time I didn’t think much about it but when I reflect back on those outings I realize that there weren’t that many people who looked like us visiting or working in the parks. One of the reasons was that the Hispanic population in Oregon

Interstate Stream Commission Accepts Jemez y Sangre Regional Water Plan

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 22, 2016

ISC News:

SANTA FE ― The Interstate Stream Commission accepted the Jemez y Sangre Regional Water Plan, Nov. 17.

The presentation of the plan by regional Steering Committee representatives, Santa Fe County Commissioner Kathy Holian and Water Resources Coordinator Andrew Erdmann of the City of Santa Fe Water Division, to the commission focused on the key water issues, collaborative strategies and regional recommendations for consideration in the state water plan update.

Members of the regional Steering Committees worked

LAPS: Better Schools … Brighter Futures

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 22, 2016

LAPS News:

Jan. 3, 2017, the voters of Los Alamos will have the opportunity to build a brighter future for our students with their vote on a mail-in ballot for a $13 million construction bond that would not raise tax rates.

If approved, bond funds will (1) renovate Barranca Elementary School by replacing 60 percent of old classrooms, remove all portables, and significantly increase energy efficiency; (2) upgrade Mountain Elementary School by enclosing the 200 Wing and Hallway to 100 Wing, fix restrooms and the Nurse’s Office, and replace the

Public Hearing On Judiciary Proposed Policy For Online Access To Court Records Dec. 6

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2016

NM SUPREME COURT News:

Attorneys and their staff, the press, and justice partners, including law enforcement and child welfare agencies, could be granted online access to electronic records in court case files under a proposal before the New Mexico Judiciary.

If adopted by the New Mexico Supreme Court, the proposal would permit approved users to view public records from their computer terminals 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a restricted access system operated by the Judicial Information Division.

Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposal at a public hearing 9 a.m. Read More

New Mexico Governor Announces Pull Together Effort To Help Families This Holiday Season

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 21, 2016

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Susana Martinez has announced a new Pull Together effort to collect food and toys for New Mexico kids and families this holiday season.

Thirty-three MVD offices, in partnership with CYFD, will collect canned goods, other non-perishable food and toys for families in need throughout the state.

“For some families, it’s just not possible to get everything they need for their children over the holidays,” Martinez said. “We wanted to do something about it this year, because we know how generous New Mexicans are, and

NM House Democratic Caucus Selects Leadership

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2016

STATE News:

House Democrats prepare to lead as majority in State House

SANTA FE – Members of the New Mexico House Democratic Caucus selected their leadership for the 53^rd Legislature, which will convene in January 2017.

House Democrats selected their choice for Speaker of the House, and elected the House Majority Leader, House Majority Whip, and House Majority Caucus Chair:

Speaker of the House – Rep. Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe). Egolf is entering his fifth term in the New Mexico House of Representatives, and has served as House Minority Leader for the past two years. He was previously Chair of the Read More

Letter To The Editor: Anne Nobile Thanks Voters

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 21, 2016

By ANNE NOBILE

Los Alamos Probate Judge

A profound thanks and gracias for every vote I received in the election. Every vote counts and I appreciate each one that came my way.

About 11 years ago I became interested in local government and joined the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos. While volunteering with the League I learned about local issues and then joined the board of the Los Alamos Housing Partnership and later, the Planning and Zoning Commission.

If you have interest in local government or just enjoy living here, I can’t encourage you more strongly to join the League or to volunteer for one Read More

NM Democratic Senate Caucus Selects New Leaders

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2016

STATE SENATE News:

Belen – Members of the New Mexico Senate Democratic Caucus met Saturday to determine its choice for Senate President Pro Tempore and to select the Senate Majority Leader, Senate Majority Whip and the Senate Majority Caucus Chair.

Senate President Pro Tempore: Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-38- Doña Ana). The Senate President Pro Tempore is elected by a majority of the New Mexico State Senate. The Democratic Caucus’s choice must receive at least 22 votes on the first day of the session to be named Senate President Pro Tempore.

“I am honored to have the support of the Democratic Read More

SGR Thanks Supporters At Reelection Celebration

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2016

Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, center at rear, at her campaign thank you celebration with many of her supporters Saturday afternoon at the Pig & Fig restaurant in White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, left, with Pig & Fig owner Laura Hamilton who catered Saturday’s celebration at her eatery at 35 Rover Blvd. in White Rock. Courtesy photo Read More

Letter To The Editor: Is Everytown About To Target Law Abiding Gun Owners In New Mexico?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2016

By KHALIL SPENCER

Los Alamos

On a 9 November entry on its website – Moms Demand Action – states “Everytown and New Mexico Moms Demand Action Declare Victory in Creating Bipartisan Background Check Majority in State Legislature”, specifically calling out legislators Nate Gentry (R), Bill Soules (D), Liz Stefanics (D) and Elizabeth Thomson (D). We can therefore expect that at minimum, a background check bill will be introduced by the Democratic majorities in both houses.

The purpose of a background check is difficult to argue against, i.e., we all have a moral and legal obligation to not Read More

Letter To The Editor: Ebb & Flow Of NM Representation

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 20, 2016

By JOEL WILLIAMS

Los Alamos

I used a graphic (link) to justify my vote for Stephanie Garcia Richard and whom I congratulate on her winning the 43nd District New Mexico House seat.

I indicated that control of the House could easily flip-flop between political parties when they are close in numbers. That has indeed happened in the recent election. I have prepared another graphic to illustrate just how fragile (finicky?) control can be in such cases.

The reverse of 2010 occurred this year with the Democrats retaking the House which they have held control of for many decades.

Water Right Owners Flood Town Hall In Pojoaque

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 20, 2016

Several hundred water right owners gather Monday at a town hall meeting in Pojoaque on the Aamodt Water Settlement organized by State Rep. Carl Trujillo (D-Nambe). Courtesy photo

Staff Report

Pojoaque – Monday, Nov. 14, several hundred water right owners attended a town hall meeting on the Aamodt Water Settlement meeting organized by State Rep. Carl Trujillo (D-Nambe).

The Aamodt Settlement, which was originally filed in Federal Court in 1966 to settle all water claims in the Nambe-Pojoaque-Tesuque Basin (NPT Basin) for both pueblo and non-pueblo people, is now nearing a final conclusion Read More

Health Action New Mexico Commends Governor Martinez For Vowing To Protect Health Coverage Gains

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 19, 2016

HANM News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Gov. Susana Martinez made clear that health coverage gains under the Affordable Care Act must be protected. According to the Associated Press, the Governor “has offered assurances that people won’t be left without health insurance as President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans seek to overhaul the Affordable Care Act.”

More than 300,000 New Mexicans have gained coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act, causing the uninsured rate to drop to historic lows.

“We commend Governor Martinez for her commitment

Udall, Heinrich, Pearce Applaud Air Force Decision To Relocate F-16 Squadrons To Holloman AFB

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 18, 2016

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce applaud the U.S. Air Force’s interim decision to relocate two additional F-16 training squadrons to Holloman Air Force Base for the creation of a new Formal Training Unit (FTU).

The Air Force will move the F-16s from Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Currently, the Air Force is roughly 700 F-16 fighter pilots short of requirements, which makes the additional two squadrons at Holloman critically important to addressing the Air Force’s shortage

Letter To The Editor: Thank Goodness Election Season’s Over … Isn’t It?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 18, 2016

By JIM HALL, President
Los Alamos School Board

No, no, not quite. The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) needs citizens to vote in January.

Every four years LAPS asks Los Alamos citizens to recommit to rebuilding our schools by renewing LAPS General Obligation (GO) bonds. The vote for renewal is in January. Resulting fundswill continue to address a historical anomaly—all LAPS schools were built about the same time, and as a result, they all need major upgrades about the same time.

Because of community generosity, LAPS has used these GO bond funds from past elections to rebuild most of the Read More

DPLA Hosts Community Meeting About Actions To Take Between Elections 7 p.m. Monday At UNM-LA

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 17, 2016

POLITICAL News:

Consider yourself a Progressive, Liberal or otherwise left of center?

Disappointed with our most recent election and want to do something about it?

Join us for a special meeting hosted by the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County. We’ll discuss how we can move forward to support issues that are important to us. This isn’t about the election, it’s about the action we can take in between elections.

Let’s be thankful for what we have accomplished and plan for the future.

Monday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.
Building 05
UNM-Los Alamos

Invite your friends Read More

Sen. Udall To Be Lead Democrat On Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 17, 2016

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Democratic leadership announced that U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., will assume the position of cice chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in the 115th Congress.

Udall will keep his seats on the Appropriations, Commerce, Foreign Relations and Rules committees. The new leadership post gives him an even stronger position to fight for Native communities in New Mexico and across the country, especially combined with his role as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior,

‘The Nuclear Road Ahead: Challenges For President Donald J. Trump’ Dec. 5

Submitted by Chris Clark on November 16, 2016

Courtesy photo

SFWAF News:

The community is invited to join SFWAF for lunch and a discussion Monday, Dec. 5, with James Doyle, Jesse Guillen, Cheryl Rofer and Arvid Lundy on “The Nuclear Road Ahead: Challenges for President Donald J. Trump” at The Board Room (#223) at Santa Fe Community College.

We’ve heard more than usual about nuclear weapons, both in the campaign and from Russia. The UN has decided to consider a ban on nuclear weapons, like the bans on chemical and biological weapons. Who’s got nuclear weapons and

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