Udall, Boosman, Lujan Grisham Introduce Bill To Cut Small Business Red Tape
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
CONGRESSSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During National Small Business Week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, D-N.M. and John Boozman, R-Ark., and U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., announced legislation to help business owners who operate primarily out of their homes deal with the often-complicated process of filing income taxes.
U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
The bipartisan Helping Our Middle Class Entrepreneurs (HOME) Act is the result of conversations with small business owners about ways the federal government can reduce unnecessary red tape.
The HOME Act Read More
Senate Democrats Address Need For Special Session
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Senate Democrats released the following statement regarding a Special Session of the New Mexico Legislature:
New Mexicans from across the state have called for a Special Session on capital outlay. The Senate Democrats have heard that call, and are ready to go into Session to pass a capital outlay bill.
The Senate Democrats agreed tonight on a capital outlay proposal put forth by lead caucus negotiator Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Sierra. The package restores funding to senior centers, higher education institutions, and tribal Read More
Luján: 134,000 New Mexicans With Student Loans Would Benefit From Bill To Allow Refinancing
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
SANTA FE ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District highlighted the impact of legislation that would allow New Mexican’s with student loan debt to refinance their loans to take advantage of low interest rates.
Luján is a cosponsor of the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which according to the Department of Education, would help 134,000 New Mexicans with student loan debt.
“Whether it’s buying that first home, raising a child, or saving for a dignified retirement, student loan debt is making it difficult
Heinrich, Udall Introduce Bill To Establish Wilderness Areas In Río Grande Del Norte National Monument
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Tom Udall, D-N.M. have introduced a bill to establish two wilderness areas, the Cerro del Yuta Wilderness and Rio San Antonio Wilderness, within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument northwest of Taos.
In 2013, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a previous version of the legislation.
U.S. Sen.Tom Udall
“For many years now, a broad coalition of northern New Mexicans has worked to conserve these two very special areas within
Udall Votes For Congressional Review Of Iran Nuclear Deal
U.S. SENATE News:
Bipartisan agreement would enable congressional oversight without jeopardizing negotiations
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze_bYse-krA&feature=youtu.be
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, joined a majority of senators in voting 98-1 Thursday for legislation that would allow Congress 30 days to review a proposed nuclear deal with Iran. He issued the following statement:
“A nuclear armed Iran is a serious threat, and any nuclear nonproliferation Read More
Udall, Price, Van Hollen Introduce Empower Act To Modernize Presidential Campaign Public Financing
U.S. SENATE News:Heinrich Urges Full Funding For Police Body Cameras
Body camera. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With a Republican budget agreement that could cut funding by $24 million for a critical grant program that helps police departments utilize body cameras and other innovative technology, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. joined 17 senators in calling for full funding of the U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program.
More than 600 JAG recipients nationwide have used federal funding for police camera technology. This technology has been found to reduce the use of force by officers by Read More
Heinrich: Court Of Appeals Rules NSA Dragnet Illegal
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, called on the White House to finally end the mass surveillance of Americans, following a decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that the National Security Agency is violating the law by collecting millions of Americans’ phone records.
“This ruling affirms that the government does not have the authority to collect and retain the private telephone activity of innocent, law-abiding Americans,” Read More
Letter To The Editor: Regarding ‘Words Do Matter’
By BILL MCKERLEY, ChairmanI read Nancy Schick’s letter “Words Do Matter” in the Los Alamos Daily Post (May 3, 2015) with some interest.
She is correct, of course, words do matter. However, her egregious attack on the Republican Party and limiting the word “enslave” to a terrible period in American history seem to be an attempt to arouse emotion and to smear (“Republicans are racist.”) rather than engage.
The dictionary definition of “enslave” is “to reduce to or as if to slavery: subjugate,” and it is often used by the media when bloviating about the “oppression” of Read More
AHF Meets With Mayors Of Hiroshima And Nagasaki
AHF President Cindy Kelly with Mayor Taue, on her right, and Mayor Matsui, on her left. Courtesy/AHF.
AHF President Cindy Kelly with Mayor Taue amidst the media. Courtesy/AHF
AHF News:
The Atomic Heritage Foundation met with the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Japanese local government officials, Friday, May 1, to discuss the interpretation of the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
The meeting, which was held at the Institute of International Education at 809 United Nations Plaza in New York City, marked a positive first step in opening a dialogue with the Japanese, whose Read More
Luján Announces Nearly $4.2 Million For Health Clinics In Northern New Mexico
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District announced Monday that El Centro Family Health has received a nearly $4.2 million grant to support its efforts to provide health care to rural communities across Northern New Mexico.
The grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will help El Centro Family Health reach families at its 13 medical clinics, 11 school-based clinics, and three dental clinics.
“Community health centers provide vital health services in many rural communities throughout Read More
A Look On The Brighter Side Of Global Warming
Scientist Chick Keller speaks at a symposium on climate change held at St. John’s College in Santa Fe. Photo by Roger Snodgrass
Audience members listen to speakers at the symposium on climate change. Photo by Roger SnodgrassThe threat of catastrophic global warming is still very much upon us, but according to some knowledgeable speakers on the eve of Earth Day 2015, there are a few new grounds for encouragement despite the prevailing gloom.
“I don’t think there is any serious debate about the science anymore,” said former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat Read More
Luján Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Courtesy/hqmc.marines.mil
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which is celebrated in May.
“For generations, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have forged a proud legacy through enduring contributions to our nation. From the immigrants who came through Angel and Ellis Islands to those who continue to immigrate here today, this community has persevered in pursuit of the American Dream.
“The Asian Pacific American community is an invaluable part Read More
Letter To The Editor: Words Do Matter
By NANCY SCHICKWords matter.
In our public and personal discourse, there are some words that must be used only with the utmost care. One is “Nazi.” Another is “slavery.” Both refer to horrific historic chapters in human history that called into question our humanity.
Unfortunately, we sometimes carelessly inject these words into our conversations in reference to something else entirely. By corrupting the meanings of these words, we disrespect those who suffered under fascism and slavery.
I read that the Los Alamos Republican Party has recently elected Read More
Conservation Groups Ask New Mexico Game Commission To Oppose Cougar Trapping Proposal
Courtesy/TrapFree New Mexico
TFNM News:
- Trapping Plan Would Increase Cruelty, Put Other Wildlife, Pets at Risk
SILVER CITY—Eight conservation organizations in the TrapFree New Mexico coalition have sent a letter urging state game commissioners to reject the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s proposed cougar trapping season.
The coalition letter highlights the dangers traps pose to outdoor enthusiasts, nontarget animals and pets like the dog caught in a trap last month in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.
Owners of accidentally trapped pets can face extensive veterinary Read More
Udall And Heinrich Issue Statements On Proposed Interim Nuclear Waste Facility In New Mexico
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich issued the following statements on the proposal for New Mexico to become an interim storage site for high-level nuclear waste:
“I don’t think we should be talking about this at all while the state and the Department of Energy are still addressing the serious accident and radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. I have helped secure hundreds of millions in vital funding for WIPP for many years, and my focus now is ensuring WIPP can reopen safely and the workers are protected,” said Read More
Rep. Ben Ray Luján Cosponsors Raise The Wage Act
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District announced Thursday that he is cosponsoring legislation to raise the minimum wage and put more money in the pocket of New Mexicans.
The Raise the Wage Act would increase the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 by 2020.
“New Mexico’s workers want to receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. They want to work hard so they can send their children to college and save for a dignified retirement,” Luján said. “Yet at today’s minimum wage, many full-time workers and their Read More
Governor And DOE Secretary Announce WIPP Settlement
WIPP News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz released the terms Thursday of a $73 million settlement of the State’s claims against the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors related to the February 2014 incidents at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, including the associated activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
“The Department of Energy and the State of New Mexico have worked together to identify projects at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and the Los Alamos National Laboratory that are mutually beneficial and Read More
Udall On DOE Settlement For WIPP Radiation Release
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a statement released Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed the $73 million settlement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the state of New Mexico.
Investigations by DOE and the state have found that numerous violations at Los Alamos National Laboratory led to the radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) that put at risk the health of workers and the nearby community.
Udall statement:
“New Mexicans are rightly disturbed by the violations at Los Alamos and WIPP, which led to the radiation release and put Read More
Heinrich, Udall Applaud Federal Funding For Homeless Veterans Housing Program
U.S. SENATE News:
