AFTNM Responds To Governor’s Budget Proposals
AFTNM News:
- Proposed Spending Represents ‘Status Quo’ Mentality, Ignores Realities in Classrooms
ALBUQUERQUE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement in response to Gov. Susana Martinez’ budget proposals:
“Governor Martinez’s budgetary proposals are woefully out of touch with the actual needs of New Mexico’s public schools, and the students they serve, and represent a status quo approach that doubles down on pet projects while diverting much needed resources away from local school districts and New Mexico classrooms.
“We Read More
Governor Unveils $6.5 Billion Spending Priorities
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has introduced her Fiscal Year 2017 executive budget recommendations.
The governor’s budget proposal includes funding on improving public safety, reforming education and creating jobs.
For more details, visit https:////www.governor.state.nm.us/. Read More
Saving 49 Cents
Saving 49 cents with a smile, former County Councilor/former School Board member Morrie Pongratz hands in his referendum ballot directly to Deputy Clerk Jocelyn Warner saying, ‘Of course I checked the FOR box!’ Ballots must be received in the County Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26. Courtesy photo Read More
Legislative Preview Highlights Tough 30-Day Session
Despite frigid weather, residents fill Fuller Lodge for Thursday’s annual legislative preview. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
LAHS Debate Team members Angela Feng, left, and Rory Cooley serve as timekeepers at Thursday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Chamber Manager Nancy Partridge, right, listens to lawmakers discuss the 2016 legislative session. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
With challenges such as falling oil and gas prices and the controversy swirling around the Real ID Act, Read More
Rep. Jim Smith Pre-Files Legislation To Provide More Transparency In Campaign Finance
Dist. 22 Rep. Jim Smith, R- Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Today, Rep. Jim Smith pre-filed HB 105, legislation that would update the Secretary of State’s campaign finance information system to provide more transparency and accountability in New Mexico’s campaign finance reporting.
“The current campaign finance information system is outdated which makes it difficult to track information,” Smith said. “It’s time to update the system so that the information it provides is consistent and more accessible to New Mexicans.”
The bill would require the Read More
DHS Will Accept New Mexico Driver’s Licenses For Boarding Commercial Air Flights Until January 2018
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Senate President Pro Tem Mary K. Papen, D-38-Doña Ana, Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia and House Minority Leader Brian Egolf, D-47-Santa Fe today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to accept New Mexico driver’s licenses for boarding commercial air flights until January 2018.
The Democratic leaders expressed outrage that Gov. Susana Martinez has engaged in partisan politics on the issue instead of finding solutions to comply with REAL ID. Over the past months, she and Republican Read More
Rep. Nate Gentry Pre-Files Measures To Honor And Protect Law Enforcement Officers
New Mexico Dist. 30 Rep. Nate Gentry, R-Bernalillo
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Rep. Nate Gentry pre-filed legislation Thursday to increase penalties for criminals who target police officers.
The bill, HB 95, would amend the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act to include law enforcement officers to the list of protected classes included in the Act.
“The people who protect us need protection themselves from violent criminals who want to hurt cops,” Gentry said. “Some criminals are motivated to specifically target law enforcement. Harming someone because of the uniform Read More
Heinrich Announces Resources To Help N.M. Ranchers Impacted By Winter Storms
U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichLos Alamos County Probate Judge Vacancy: Council Calls For Letters Of Interest
Christine Chandler was appointed Los Alamos County Probate Judge in August 2013. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Councilors responded during last night’s meeting to the resignation of Probate Judge Christine Chandler.
Chandler wrote in a letter dated Dec. 30 to then-Council Chair Kristin Henderson that her resignation will be effective Feb. 20, 2016. Chandler was appointed to the position in 2013 and ran for re-election successfully in the general election in November 2014.
Chandler cited “other current and prospective commitments” in her letter Read More
Los Alamos County Council Selects Rick Reiss Chair And Susan O’Leary Vice Chair For 2016
New Los Alamos County Council Chair Rick Reiss
Staff Report
The Los Alamos County Council this evening selected Councilor Rick Reiss to serve as its chair for 2016 and Councilor Susan O’Leary vice chair.
Reiss was appointed by Council Sept. 6, 2012 to fill a vacant unexpired term and elected in 2014 for another term. He is a local small businessman and real estate developer.
Reiss has lived in Los Alamos since 1993. He was raised in southern New Mexico, received his Bachelors degree from New Mexico State University and is married to Deborah Reiss. They have two grown children, Rikki Read More
Governor Introduces FY 2017 $6.46 Billion Budget
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
- Budget Proposal Targets Funding To Improve Public Safety, Reform Education and Create Jobs
ALBUQUERQUE — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced her Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal, which continues the Governor’s commitment to responsible budgeting and targets funding toward initiatives designed to keep New Mexicans safe, grow the state’s economy, and reform and improve the education of New Mexico children.
The Governor’s $6.46 billion budget proposal, which represents an increase in recurring state spending of 3.7 percent (or $228 million), can be Read More
Lujan Grisham Supports Executive Action To Prevent Gun Violence
U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement in response to the President’s executive action today on gun violence prevention:
“Albuquerque experienced a 53-percent increase in murders last year, and clearly, gun violence played a role in many of those tragedies. That startling statistic doesn’t include accidental shootings, suicides, domestic violence and many other instances involving gun violence. We must act to stop gun violence.
“I welcome the President’s executive action on gun violence, Read More
Senator Pre-Files Bill To Create Brittany Alert To Protect Developmentally Disabled
Sen. Jacob CandelariaHouse Republicans Call For Agreement On Driver’s License Compromise
Speaker of the House Don Tripp
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Speaker of the House Don Tripp sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez today calling on the Senate to compromise with the House on a proposal that will stop the dangerous practice of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Text of the letter:
Papen, Sanchez, Egolf Urge Cooperation To Secure Deadline Extension Of REAL ID Enforcement
Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Today, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, D-38-Doña Ana, Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez, D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia and House Minority Leader Brian Egolf, D-47-Santa Fe sent a letter to Gov. Susana Martinez and Speaker Don L. Tripp urging them to join Democratic legislative leaders in requesting an extension of the deadline for REAL ID enforcement from the Department of Homeland Security.
Text of letter to Martinez and Tripp:
January 4, 2016
Annual Legislative Preview At Fuller Lodge Thursday
LWVLA/AAUW News:
The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos and the American Association of University Women will hold a Legislative Preview 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7 at Fuller Lodge, with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to participate.
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez have all agreed to come and share their views on the upcoming session.
Also, Kristina Fisher will explain Think New Mexico’s current campaign to fix the New Mexico Legislature’s “Christmas Tree Bill” and former Sen. Dede Feldman will discuss her ideas for improving Read More
Governor Visits New Mexico National Guard Soldiers Deploying To Kuwait
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Susana Martinez will visit with soldiers of the New Mexico Army National Guard’s 126th Military Police Company this morning who are deploying to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Martinez will meet with the soldiers at the KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque. Read More
NM Senate Democrats: Just The Facts About REAL ID
Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez, D-29-Valencia, Bernalillo, has consistently sought accurate information to disseminate to the public.
Attached are eight documents from different federal agencies and facilities in New Mexico. They demonstrate that right now, there is no need to obtain a passport to enter a federal facility or board a commercial flight.
“My office is available to anyone who needs current identification requirements to enter any federal facility in New Mexico,” Read More
Behind The Lens: 2015 Year In White House Photos
Feb. 27, 2015 ‘It’s definitely true that former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal is a big guy. But I’ll admit that I used a wide angle lens and this angle to accentuate his size when he stopped by the Oval Office for a quick visit.’ Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
April 29, 2015 ‘Visiting wounded warriors at Walter Reed, the President signed a patient’s military banner at his request.’ Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
June 11, 2015 ‘We had just stopped by the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park and we were already driving away underneath the stadium. The President
Garcia Richard Previews 2016 Legislative Session
Rep. Stephanie Garacia Richard addresses the concerns of Los Alamos business people at the Dec. 15 Chamber Breakfast. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comBy BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
During the Dec. 15 Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-District 43, outlined the key issues the upcoming 2016 legislative session will tackle.
The 30-day session is a budget session with a major focus on the state budget.
“The budget must be completed in 30 days,” Garcia Richard said. “It takes a lot of compromise.”
With oil and gas prices Read More
