Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

IRS, States, Industry Continue Progress To Protect Taxpayers From Identity Theft

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 21, 2015

IRS News:

PHOENIX ― The Internal Revenue Service, state tax administrators and leaders of the tax industry announced today continued progress to expand and strengthen protections against identity theft refund fraud for the 2016 tax season.

The public-private sector partnership announced success in identifying and testing more than 20 new data elements on tax return submissions that will be shared with the IRS and the states to help detect and prevent identity-theft related filings.

In addition, the software industry is putting in place enhanced identity requirements

Dedication Of Memorial Sculptures Nov. 11

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 20, 2015

Warriors Repose. Courtesy of González + Sisneros Studio

Cristina Gonzales and Jacob Sisneros with mockette of Warriors Repose. Courtesy/González + Sisneros Studio

NHCC News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― The Department of Cultural Affairs, National Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico Arts, and the families of Manuel Mora and Pete Padilla are proud to announce the upcoming dedication of two, completed sculptures to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Hispanic veterans and, in particular, Pete Padilla and Manuel Mora.

The dedication

NNSA Announces Procurement Of Penguin Computing Clusters To Support Stockpile Stewardship At National Laboratories

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 20, 2015

Doug Wade

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory today announced the awarding of a subcontract to Penguin Computing – a leading developer of high-performance Linux cluster computing systems based in Silicon Valley – to bolster computing for stockpile stewardship at its three national security laboratories.

Under the terms of the contract, awarded by Lawrence Livermore for NNSA’s tri-lab Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) program, Penguin Computing will receive $39 million to provide Read More

PARCC Results For Los Alamos Public Schools

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2015

LAPS News:

In Los Alamos, PARCC scores for English Language Arts were higher than in mathematics, especially Algebra 1. The PARCC results for Los Alamos High School were better than the statewide aggregate scores for the tests.

PARCC stands for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. Students in grades 3-11 took the PARCC tests last March and April. This is the first time results have been released.

School-wide results for elementary and middle schools are scheduled to be released by the state Oct. 30. Individual student score reports will be available to Read More

Public Input And Concerns Sought At Road Map Meeting Oct. 20

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2015

NMED News:

State of New Mexico Develops Collaborative Plan for Monitoring of Gold King Mine Spill’s Long-Term Effects

SANTA FE—The State of New Mexico’s multi-agency Long-Term Impact Review Team, named by Gov. Susana Martinez during the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gold King Mine Spill last August, is developing the Road Map for continuing environmental monitoring activities that are informed by continuing public input.

By collaborating with San Juan County’s civic and regional leaders, academia, stakeholder groups, and concerned citizens, and by reaching out to the Read More

Los Alamos Democratic Party Hosts Santa Fe 4 Bernie Campaign Coordinator Paul Gibson

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2015

Paul Gibson

POLITICAL News:

Paul Gibson is the Santa Fe coordinator for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president and the creator of ShareTheBern, a new national initiative to activate Internet-based networks of Sanders supporters throughout the country.

At the Los Alamos Democratic Party meeting today at 7 p.m. at UNM-Los Alamos in Building 05, Wallace Hall, Gibson will speak on the national and local campaign. He will describe the specific differences between Sanders, Clinton and GOP candidates in relation to past Senate votes, current positions and major funders. This presentation

AFTNM Responds To New Mexico PARCC Results

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2015

AFTNM President Stephanie Ly

AFTNM News:

Secretary Skandera Spins Low New Mexico Test Results

ALBUQUERUQE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:

“Just as promised, Secretary Skandera delivered exceedingly low test results for New Mexico students who participated in the recent Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) corporate standardized test.

“Secretary Skandera and Gov. Martinez assert low test scores are an indicator of a more rigorous Read More

NMED Improvement Board Hosts Public Hearing

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 15, 2015

NMED News:

The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) will hold a public hearing at 9 a.m., Dec. 18 in Room 322 at the State Capitol Building, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe.

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the matter of EIB 15-01(R), proposed amendments to 20.2.77 NMAC (New Source Performance Standards), 20.2.78 NMAC (Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) and 20.2.82 NMAC (Maximum Achievable Control Technology Standards for Source Categories of Hazardous Air Pollutants).

The New Mexico Environment Department is petitioning the EIB to amend these rules Read More

Governor Announcing Plans To Bring High-Speed Internet To Every Classroom

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 15, 2015

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

BERNALILLO — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez will announce plans to bring high-speed Internet access to every school in New Mexico.

Currently, more than 30 percent of New Mexico’s schools do not have access to high-speed Internet.

Details of the Governor’s plan will be revealed later today. Read More

Luján Signs Discharge Petition To Force Vote On Job-Creating Export-Import Bank

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 15, 2015

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District joined in an effort to force a vote on the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.

Luján signed a discharge petition that would require an up or down vote on legislation to reauthorize the bank once a majority of the House, 218 members, sign on to the petition.

The bank’s charter expired at the end of June after House Republican leaders refused to allow a vote on reauthorization. After 80 years of supporting U.S. jobs by financing

Udall Highlights Push To Expand Tech Transfer At DOE Labs, Build NM’s Economy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 14, 2015

U.S. Senator Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

Udall seeks input from roundtable on tech transfer legislation

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall hosted U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and DOE Acting Director of the Office of Technology Transitions Jetta Wong at Sandia National Laboratories for a roundtable discussion about improving technology transfer and creating jobs.

Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) officials joined several local businesses that were created based on technology developed at the labs to discuss Read More

Los Alamos GOP Meets Thursday At UNM-LA

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 14, 2015

GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos is holding its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at UNM-LA, Bldg 2, Lecture Hall, Room 230.

For further information, contact Chair Bill McKerley at 505.672.1067.

Air Force Heeds Heinrich’s Call To Address RPA Personnel Shortfalls

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 14, 2015

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed the Air Force’s announcement Oct. 8, to expand the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) mission at Holloman Air Force Base.

The expansion will increase the rate of student production from 603 pilots and sensor operator students in fiscal year 2015 up to an estimated 818 students in fiscal year 2016.

“Our RPA community has been at a breaking point. Our airmen have had to fly countless missions with too few pilots,” Heinrich

Luján Legislation Supports Treatment For Pregnant And Postpartum Women Suffering From Substance Abuse

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 14, 2015

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District spoke Friday Oct. 9, at a Health Subcommittee hearing, “Examining Legislative Proposals to Combat our Nation’s Drug Abuse Crisis.”

Luján discussed legislation he introduced earlier this week to enhance treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women who are suffering from substance use disorders.

The Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act reauthorizes a residential treatment program that provides

Oak Ridge 3 Peace Protesters Headline Awards Ceremony On Capitol Hill

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 14, 2015

NFFAF News:

TAKOMA PARK, Md., ― Peace protesters Megan Rice, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed are among those to be honored at this year’s Nuclear-Free Future Awards in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Nuclear-Free Future Award Foundation (NFFAF).

The Nuclear-Free Future Awards are given annually to individuals who, through courage, integrity and conviction, have acted to rid the world of uranium mining, nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

This year’s Nuclear-Free Future Award ceremony is Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Rayburn House

Waters Of The U.S. Rule Blocked Nationwide

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 13, 2015

NMED News:

The Oct. 9 Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling applying a nationwide stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Army Corps of Engineer’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule affirms the success already achieved by the New Mexico Environment Department, Office of the State Engineer, and 12 other Rocky Mountain coalition states in halting the implementation of the WOTUS rule, while the rule’s serious deficiencies are litigated.

The federal appeals court in Ohio ruled that delaying implementation of the WOTUS rule nationwide, while litigation proceeds, would not threaten Read More

DOE Invests Over $34 Million To Improve Protection Of Nation’s Energy Infrastructure

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 13, 2015

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to protecting America’s energy critical infrastructure, the Energy Department (DOE) announced more than $34 million for two projects that will improve the protection of the U.S. electric grid and oil and natural gas infrastructure from cyber threats.

The University of Arkansas and the University of Illinois will assemble teams with expertise in power systems engineering and the computer science of cybersecurity to develop new technologies that will help protect energy delivery systems

Udall Hosts Events At LANL And Sandia With Lead Senate Appropriations Democrat Barbara Mikulski

Submitted by Chris Clark on October 13, 2015

SENATE News:

Tuesday, Oct. 13 and Wednesday, Oct. 14, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall will host Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) in Los Alamos and Albuquerque to discuss the important role New Mexico’s national laboratories play in national security, energy and the state’s economy.

Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has fought for strong funding for important programs at New Mexico’s national labs.

He invited Mikulski to tour both labs and to

Even When It’s Out Of Commission, Everybody Wants A Piece Of WIPP

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 12, 2015

Beatrice Brailsford, left, of the Snake River Alliance and Tom Clements, right, of Savannah River Site Watch teamed up last week for nuclear waste site visits with their New Mexico counterpart, Don Hancock, director of the Nuclear Waste Safety program at the Southwest Research and Information Center in Albuquerque. Photo by Roger Snodgrass/ladailypost.com

By ROGER SNODGRASS

Los Alamos Daily Post

Twenty months after a truck fire and a Valentine’s Day radiation release almost half a mile underground, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southeastern New Mexico is still out of business

Barney Trujillo Announces Bid For House Dist. 40

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 12, 2015

More than 150 guest attend SUnday’s launch of the Barney Trujillo for House Dst. 40 campaign at the Santa Claran. Courtesy photo

POLITICAL News:

Barney Trujillo

Española – With more than 150 guests in attendance Sunday at the Santa Claran, Rio Arriba County Commissioner Barney Trujillo formally announced his bid for New Mexico’s House Dist. 40 (Rio Arriba, Colfax, Mora, & San Miguel).

Trujillo is the chairman of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities.

Special guests at Sunday’s event include Sen. Richard Martinez, Rio Arriba Commissioner Alex Naranjo, Read More

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