Political News

Governor Signs Legislation To Better Protect New Mexico Farmers And Ranchers

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 6, 2016
STATE News:
 
CLOVIS — Gov. Martinez signs legislation that better protects New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers from encroaching urban sprawl and unfair nuisance lawsuits.
 
Senate Bill 72, sponsored by Senator Stuart Ingle (R-Portales), ensures new neighbors cannot sue agricultural producers for being too noisy.
 
Martinez also signed House Bill 270, sponsored by Representative Terry McMillan (R-Las Cruces), which helps resolve the issue of out-of-state doctors being sued in New Mexico courts. Without this legislation, doctors in other states could deny treatment
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Mountain Principal Jennifer Guy’s Surprise Recognition

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 5, 2016

Mountain Custodial Caretaker Eileen Jaramillo and Principal Jennifer Guy at Thursday’s surprise recognition event. Jaramillo spoke to Sen. Richard Martinez about Guy’s outstanding professionalism and leadership, which led him to honor her for her efforts. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com  Read More

Cardin, Delaney, Luján Introduce Resolutions Establishing National Clean Energy Goals

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 5, 2016
CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.-3) and U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney (Md.-6) filed resolutions in the House and Senate affirming the establishment of a national goal of more than 50 percent of America’s electricity production coming from clean and carbon-free electricity sources by 2030 and calling for the enactment of new legislation to achieve this goal.
 
In a show of significant support for this initiative, the “50×30 Resolutions” are cosponsored by 30 Senators and 103
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Heinrich Pushes For New Mexico Priorities In DOE FY 2017 Budget

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 5, 2016
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D. C. ― During a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the U.S. Department of Energy’s fiscal year 2017 budget request, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich continued to push for Waste Isolated Pilot Plant (WIPP) safety and recovery efforts, a new cleanup schedule at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and technology transfer opportunities.
 
The committee received testimony from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz.
 
During the hearing, Heinrich underscored that the safety of WIPP
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Governor Signs Legislation To Fight Drug Abuse And Overdose Fatalities In New Mexico

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 5, 2016
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE — Gov. Martinez signed legislation Friday to fight prescription drug abuse and overdose fatalities in New Mexico.
 
“As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact prescription drug abuse has on our families and communities,” Martinez said. “These bills will provide New Mexico with more tools and lifesaving medicine to fight the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and overdose in our communities.”
 
House Bill 277, sponsored by Representative Terry McMillan (R-Las Cruces), and Senate Bill 262, sponsored by Sen. Richard
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Gov. Appoints VanDenzen Chief Hearing Officer

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 5, 2016
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE — Gov. Martinez has announced the appointment of Brian VanDenzen as chief hearing officer for the Administrative Hearings Office.
 
VanDenzen spent four years in both public and private legal practice, and the last ten years of his career as a tax hearing officer at the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. Since 2014, he has served as interim chief hearing officer, overseeing both the hearings bureau and the administrative hearings office.
 
As part of the Governor’s continuing efforts to make New Mexico more business friendly, independent
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DOE On Launch Of U.S. – Republic Of Korea High Level Bilateral Commission

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 4, 2016

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul announced Thursday the launch of the High Level Bilateral Commission (HLBC). 

Republic of Korea Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul

In their roles as HLBC Co-Chairs, Deputy Secretary Sherwood-Randall and Vice Minister Cho also announced that the first meeting of the HLBC will take place April 14 in Seoul. Deputy Secretary Sherwood-Randall will travel Read More

Governor Signs Legislation To Help Underserved Communities Attract Air Service

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 4, 2016
STATE News:
 
ROSWELL — Gov. Martinez signed legislation Wednesday allowing local communities to use lodger’s tax revenue to bring passenger air service to their areas, particularly those that are underserved.
 
Martinez’s announcement comes as American Airlines begins regular passenger service from Roswell’s International Air Center (ROW) to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which is a major hub for U.S. carriers.
 
House Bill 192, sponsored by Reps. Bob Wooley and Candy Spence Ezzell (both R-Roswell), allows communities to use income
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Udall Fights For New Mexico Priorities In Interior Department Budget

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 4, 2016
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, helped lead a hearing Wednesday on the president’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
 
Udall welcomed proposals for increased funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and mandatory funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program.
 
He also pressed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on several other issues important
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Governor Martinez Signs Tough DWI Legislation

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 4, 2016
STATE News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Martinez signed Senate Bill 118 Tuesday, which cracks down on the worst repeat DWI offenders and substantially increases penalties for drunk drivers who kill someone on the road.
 
In fact, the new penalty for driving drunk and killing someone will be one of the highest in the region.
 
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes (R-Albuquerque) and Senator George Munoz (D-Gallup), makes it a second-degree felony to be convicted of eight or more DWIs, increasing mandatory sentencing from 2 years to 10 years, with a maximum
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Udall Raises Concerns About Gila River Diversion, Pushes For Funding For New Mexico Water Projects

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 4, 2016
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall raised concerns Wednesday about a potential Gila River diversion project and pushed for continued funding for several water projects important to New Mexico communities at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
 
Udall has previously expressed skepticism over the high cost of a Gila River diversion project. He asked Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan R. López for an update and assurances that any proposed project would get a thorough economic and environmental
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SBA: Federal Government Breaks Contracting Record For Women-Owned Small Businesses

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 3, 2016
SBA News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Obama’s Cabinet, was joined by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-07), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) and Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) yesterday March 2, to announce that the federal government has surpassed its five percent contracting goal for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) for the
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Governor On Death Of Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2016

New Mexico DOH Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward

STATE News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office reports that they dicovered the body of New Mexico Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward at about 9:30 a.m. today in a car that swerved off the road, adding that she died from health issues not related to the car accident.

Gov. Susana Martinez released the following statement after learning of her passing:

 

“I am completely heartbroken to hear that Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward has passed away.

“She was an amazing public servant who enjoyed her job immensely and earned the respect Read More

2016 Legislative Session Wrap Up

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2016
Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard on the steps of the State Capitol on the final day of the 2016 Legislative Session. Courtesy photo
 
By STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Dist. 43 Democratic State Representative
Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, and Santa Fe

With the 2016 Legislative Session behind us, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the highlights. 

The two main agenda items on this session’s calendar were a balanced budget and a fix for our Real ID law. I’m pleased to say that both passed with broad bipartisan support. 

With New Mexico facing significant Read More

Heinrich Statement On Adding Gold King Mine Spill Site To Superfund National Priorities List

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 3, 2016
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement in support of adding the site of the Gold King Mine spill that polluted the Four Corners region last summer to the Superfund National Priorities List.
 
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper formally endorsed a Superfund cleanup for 48 abandon mining sites, including the Gold King Mine.

“I fully support the local communities and Gov. Hickenlooper in their effort to add these mine

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New Mexico GOP Statement On Super Tuesday

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 3, 2016
RPNM News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― The Republican Party of New Mexico has released the following statement on Super Tuesday:

“The Republican race remains as exciting as ever, with our voters still divided between the three top contenders. Whichever candidate wins in the end, it’s important that Republican voters unify behind that nominee,” said Republican Party of New Mexico spokesman Tucker Keene. “Voter turnout for the Republican primary continues to break records, and if we’re going to defeat Hillary Clinton and the Democrats

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State Auditor Issues Best Practices For Capital Projects

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2016

State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

  • Every dollar tied up in red tape is a dollar not circulating in New Mexico’s economy

SANTA FE – The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has issued best practices regarding New Mexico’s system of funding capital projects.

The Fund Balance Report, released earlier this year, found that New Mexico’s capital project funds are the most vulnerable to unnecessary accumulation. The report identified $1.2 billion in unspent capital project funds throughout state agencies in the last fiscal year alone. The OSA developed and released the best practices to help guide Read More

Gov. Signs Bill To Teach Students Emergency Training

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2016

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that adds emergency lifesaving training into the curriculum for New Mexico students.

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, and House Bill 104, sponsored by Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Las Cruces, makes it so that New Mexico students – first through 12th grade – learn emergency lifesaving training.

Martinez also acted on the following legislation:

  • Signed Senate Bill 105 — Expedited Professional Licensure [MESSAGE]
  • Signed Senate Bill 234 — Health Provider Credentialing by Insurers [MESSAGE]
  • Signed Senate
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Udall, Heinrich Urge IRS To Expand Office Hours, Make Tax Assistance Available To Rural New Mexicans

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 2, 2016
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to express concerns about reduced office hours and cuts to services, particularly for rural and elderly New Mexicans.
 
The letter follows numerous complaints from residents of Fort Sumner, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, including reports that the Albuquerque IRS field office is closing as early as 10 a.m. and turning away taxpayers who may have traveled hundreds of miles
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Udall, Heinrich Fight To Extend Overtime Pay To Thousands Of New Mexico Workers

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 1, 2016
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) urged the U.S. Department of Labor to promptly extend overtime pay to millions of Americans who work long hours without fair pay.
 
Last year, the agency proposed an expansion of overtime pay protections that could benefit 5 million Americans, including 20,000 New Mexicans. The proposal would ensure overtime pay for salaried workers earning up to approximately $50,440 per year. Currently, only workers earning $23,660 or less
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