Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Heinrich Secures Final Passage Of Airport And Mass Transit Security Measure In FAA Reauthorization

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2016

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. secured final passage of an amendment he introduced to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill to enhance airport and mass transit security.

The amendment would strengthen security, especially in non-secure “soft” target areas at airports, like check-in and baggage claim areas. The proposal would also update federal security programs to provide active shooter training for law enforcement

Local League Of Women Voters Elects New Officers

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2016

At today’s annual meeting at Mesa Public Library, the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos announced its new officers including, front row from left, Board member Akkana Peck, Membership Chair Tarin Nix and Treasurer Kathy Taylor. Back row from left, Vice President Rebecca Shankland, Secretary Barbara Calef, President Wendee Brunish, Board members Amy Birnbaum, Rosmarie Frederickson and Julie Williams-Hill and Program Chair Karyl Ann Armbruster. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Udall, Heinrich Urge Action On Zika Virus, Call On Congress To Approve Emergency Funding

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have joined Senate Democrats in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran calling for immediate passage of President Obama’s emergency supplemental funding request of $1.9 billion for prevention and treatment of the Zika virus outbreak.

Specifically, the new letter calls for the Senate Appropriations committee to mark-up the president’s emergency funding request as soon as possible to ensure swift

New Mexico GOP Launches Convention Guide Webpage

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2016

RPNM News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Republican Party of New Mexico has launched its New Mexico Convention and Delegate Guide, a page on its website devoted to answering questions about the delegate selection and convention process in New Mexico.

The page includes information about the process of becoming a delegate to the 2016 Quadrennial Convention and a delegate to the National Convention, as well as information about the New Mexico rules governing those delegates at the National Convention.

“We were inspired by the RNC’s Convention

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Holds Community Town Hall At White Rock Senior Center April 22

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 19, 2016

GOP Candidates Speak At Patriot’s Day Dinner

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 19, 2016

Michael Romero is running for Congressional District 3 and was one of several Republican candidates who spoke at Saturday’s Patriot’s Day Dinner at the Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond Dr. Republican candidates also include Michael Sanchez runnig for CD 3, Judy Nakamura running for State Supreme Court and Steve French running for judge. The featured speaker at the event was Apollo 17 Astronaut Jack Schmitt who shared his experiences on the moon. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Candidate Yvonne Chicoine is running for District Attorney ‘in order to restore Read More

Scenes From Saturday’s Patriot’s Day Dinner

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2016

A crowd of 118 people turned out for Saturday’s Patriot’s Day Dinner at the Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond Dr., to hear Apollo 17 Astronaut Jack Schmitt speak about his trip to the moon. Candidates running in the June Primary also spoke at the event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Republican Party of Los Alamos County Chair Bill McKerley welcomes the crowd to Saturday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Saturday’s Presentation of the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance is led by Eagle Scouts Zach Erkkila and John Gordon. James Robinson is at right. Read More

State Auditor Releases Negative Result Audits

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 18, 2016

NMSA News:

SANTA FE – State Auditor Tim Keller released a list of entities that received problematic audit opinions during the last audit cycle.

For the first time, this year the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) began tracking the audits with opinions from independent auditors that indicate the financial statements may contain material and pervasive misstatements (called “adverse” or “disclaimer” opinions). Entities that receive “negative” audit opinions are now being added to the OSA “At-Risk” list.

“Our tax dollars are

DOI Secretary Jewell Announces Nearly $95 Million In Funding For Conservation And Recreation Projects

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 18, 2016

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced nearly $95 million will be distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia to support conservation and recreation projects in local communities.

The funds, which are generated out of a portion of the lease revenue from offshore oil and gas development, support state-identified and community-supported projects that create jobs, contribute to

Scenes From Apollo 17 Astronaut’s Talk In Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 18, 2016

During Saturday’s Republican Party of Los Alamos’ Patriot’s Day Dinner at the Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond Dr., Apollo 17 Astronaut Harrison (Jack) Schmitt shares his experience walking on the moon. Schmidt also served as a United States senator from New Mexico. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Apollo 17 Astronaut Jack Schmitt is shown walking on the Moon. Apollo 17 was the final mission of NASA’s Apollo program, the enterprise that landed the first humans on the Moon. Launched at 12:33 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Dec. 7, 1972, with Read More

LTE – Your Civic Engagement Is Showing

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 16, 2016

By TARIN NIX

LWVLA Membership Chair

After spending nearly a decade working and living in over a dozen states, I am often questioned about my decision to relocate my life and business to Los Alamos. I never wavered in my choice because I knew what was out there. From Austin to Miami to Portland and in between, I had experienced some of the best and worst our country had to offer and what I found in Los Alamos was something different.

Whether it is the outstanding public schools, countless nonprofits, prolific thinkers, or the level of safety and security you feel when you live on the Hill, I have

PED Releases 68.6 Percent 2014-15 Graduation Rate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 16, 2016

New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera

PED News:

SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Public Education Department released a graduation rate of 68.6 percent for the New Mexico Class of 2014-2015.

This represents a slight dip compared to the previous graduating class of 2013-2014, but remains more than 5 points higher since the beginning of the Martinez administration.

Fifty-three percent of the state’s 89 school districts saw rising graduation rates compared to the previous year. Districts such as Bernalillo, Bloomfield, Clovis, and Espanola saw their rates increase by five Read More

Udall Secures Funding For National Labs, WIPP, Water Projects In Energy And Water Appropriations Bill

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 15, 2016

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall joined the Senate Appropriations Committee to advance the Energy and Water appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017.

The legislation, which is critical for New Mexico, funds the national labs, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), several New Mexico water projects and other U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs.

As a member of the subcommittee that wrote the legislation, Udall secured an increase in funding for the National Nuclear

Lujan Grisham Amends Bill To Ensure Public Access To Federal Buildings

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 15, 2016

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham successfully added a provision to legislation designed to save taxpayer money by getting rid of unused and underutilized federal property.

Lujan Grisham’s amendment, based on problems with the Albuquerque Social Security Office, would require the federal government to consider the public’s access to agency services before deciding to make changes to federal properties, such as relocating office space.

“Last year, the Social Security Office in Albuquerque moved to an office

Crowd Gathers For Rep. Garcia Richard’s Fundraiser

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 15, 2016

Sixty some people gathered throughout the course of a 2-hour fundraiser today for Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard at the home of Cecelia Garcia Frank and Richard Frank in Pajarito Acres. Democratic incumbent Garcia Richard is seeking re-election to the Dist. 43 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives against Republican challenger Sharon Stover. Photo by Amy Storey Read More

Sheriff Of Baghdad Comes To Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 14, 2016

The former sheriff of Baghdad Ted Spain now leads the protective force services at LANL for Centerra. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Centerra’s Ted Spain, LANL’s new protective force general manager, on the ground in 2003 in Baghdad. Courtesy photo

Col. Ted Spain in Baghdad briefing Ambassador Paul Bremer, right, and Bernie Kereck, the acting Minister of Interior. Kereck was the New York City Police Chief on 9/11. Courtesy photo

By ROGER SNODGRASS

Los Alamos Daily Post

Retired Army Col. Ted Spain, general manager of Centerra, the protective force services at Read More

Rep. Garcia Richard: Why I Continue To Serve

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 14, 2016

By Rep. STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Democratic Incumbent
House of Representatives Dist. 43

Many people don’t know this about me, but every morning, before the sun rises, I go for a run. I’ve always been a runner, but since taking office four years ago, my morning ritual has taken on new meaning.

Running is not only a time to reflect on my family, church, and job at school, it is a time to think about the ways I can help increase funding to public education, spur economic development, and help put an end to DWI and domestic violence.

My morning runs are my way of staying grounded and reminding myself of Read More

Udall, Heinrich Call For Swift Action On Border Security Concerns In New Mexico’s Bootheel

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 14, 2016

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to promptly address border security and safety issues in the Bootheel region of Southern New Mexico.

In a letter to CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske, Udall and Heinrich called for the agency to provide resources and equipment to help local Border Patrol agents more effectively patrol the region’s vast rugged terrain.

The senators are responding to residents who have raised concerns about border security, particularly in recent

LAFRW Hosts Secretary Of State Candidate Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 14, 2016

LAFRW News:

Rep. Nora Espinoza, R-59, Republican candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, will be the guest speaker at the Los Alamos Federated Republican Women’s meeting at noon Thursday, April 14.

Rep. Espinoza is running for Secretary of State because she believes in protecting the integrity of the electoral system. “Counting votes is a sacred trust, and the Secretary of State is charged with supervising all elections in the state. And in a republic, in a representative democracy,elections are everything. If we get that wrong, then our whole governmental system becomes wrong.”

In Read More

Udall Introduces Bill To Simplify Tax Filing

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 13, 2016

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to introduce the Tax Filing Simplification Act of 2016 to simplify and decrease the costs of the tax filing process for millions of taxpayers in New Mexico and across the country.

This year, taxpayers will spend an average of 13 hours preparing and filing their returns, and will pay $200 for tax preparation services — a cost equal to almost 10 percent of the average federal tax refund.

The legislation introduced today would direct

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