Luján, Scott Reintroduce Legislation To Support Treatment Of Pregnant And Postpartum Women
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Monday, U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced the reintroduction of the Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW) Treatment Reauthorization Act to reauthorize residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women who have a substance use disorder.
Drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl reached record highs in 2020 and 2021, with pregnant women experiencing more overdoses than ever before. The PPW Treatment Reauthorization Act addresses this health crisis by authorizing funding to enhance Read More
Denish: Let’s Talk About The Postal Service Again…
By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner
It looks like we need to talk about the Postal Service again. Eighteen months ago I wrote a column about the U. S. Postal Service recounting some of its history and its challenges.
Here is some of what I wrote:
The post office was founded by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, and Benjamin Franklin was the first postmaster general. Seventeen years later, the Post Office Department was created, and local postmasters began to be appointed, creating jobs in communities. Two major changes to the USPO designation have occurred over time. In 1872 it became a cabinet Read More
Democrats Say Session Brought Meaningful Change, But More Work To Be Done
House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, gives a news conference with other Democrats at the end of the legislative session at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Saturday. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, holds her head as she wraps up the legislative session at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The tone in the House chamber noticeably shifted around 12:45 p.m., Saturday.
Both houses of the New Mexico Legislature adjourned at noon Saturday after 60 days in session. Read More
GOP Leaders Bemoan ‘Unproductive And Disappointing’ 60-Day Session
House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong R-Magdalena, gives remarks during the Republicans’ end-of-session news conference at the Roundhouse on Saturday. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, speaks during the Republicans’ end-of-session news conference at the Roundhouse on Saturday. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Republican lawmakers Saturday bemoaned what they characterized as a complete failure by Democrats to address New Mexico’s crime and health Read More
Holsapple: Comments And Questions On ‘Retail LEDA’ Agenda Item For Tuesday’s County Council Meeting
By KEVIN HOLSAPPLE
Los Alamos Local Business Coalition
- It is great to see attention given to this longstanding gap in the County economic development program. Thank you for undertaking this. Although the first cut is quite generic and simplistic, it is a welcome starting point for discussion.
- The gap analysis appears to be a canned or purchased analysis. What is the source? It is not attributed in the document unless I missed seeing it. Is there the ability for further drill-downs on the available data to supplement understanding?
- Were any local business groups consulted or engaged to help
Los Alamos National Laboratory Technology Approved For US Military Marketplace Website
LANL: Geothermal energy is reliable and cost-efficient. Courtesy/Dreamstime
LANL News:
- The partnership will allow the US Air Force to utilize cutting-edge geothermal energy
Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, a platform for technology assessed by the Department of Defense for use on U.S. military bases, recently announced that Project GeoForce is pre-approved and ready for deployment.
Los Alamos National Laboratory partnered with the other members of Project GeoForce including Anthem Energy Partners, New Era Advisors, Homestead Resources, Texas A&M University and Power Planet Read More
2025 60-Day Legislative Session Ends With Unfinished Public Safety Work As Las Cruces Mourns Shooting Victims
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — At the conclusion of the 60-day legislative session Saturday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham acknowledged the passage of some public safety measures while emphasizing the urgent need for more action in light of Friday night’s mass shooting in Las Cruces that left three dead and at least 15 injured.
The governor has mobilized state resources to support local law enforcement in their investigation of this tragedy, which comes amid a disturbing 46 percent increase in violent crime in Las Cruces compared to last year. She said a special session is needed to Read More
New Mexico Governor Blasts AG, Lawmakers Over CYFD Oversight Agency
Attorney General Raúl Torrez
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA and DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
As Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill Friday to create a new oversight office within the New Mexico Department of Justice to look into problems at the state’s troubled child welfare agency, she blasted Attorney General Raúl Torrez and the Legislature over the measure.
Throughout the session, the Lujan Grisham administration expressed concerns about the proposed Office of Child Advocate, arguing the oversight of the Children, Youth and Families Department was welcome but that House Bill Read More
LANL Foundation Issues Statement On Executive Order To Close U.S. Department Of Education
By GWEN PEREA WARNIMENT, PhD
President & CEO
LANL Foundation
As New Mexico’s largest foundation dedicated exclusively to education, the LANL Foundation joins many of our fellow nonprofits, educators, students, and families in expressing deep concern over the recent executive order to effectively close the U.S. Department of Education. In this moment of uncertainty, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to New Mexico’s students, educators, and communities, recognizing the strengths and resources that will sustain us in the years ahead.
Since our founding in 1997, the LANL Foundation Read More
Legislative Roundup: Final Report As Session Has Ended
Santa Fe New Mexican staff:
Strategic Water Supply flows on through: After years of discussion and more than an hour of debate on Friday, the Senate approved the Strategic Water Supply Act — which allows for the treatment and reuse of brackish water — in a 33-6 vote.
House Bill 137 will now go to the governor’s desk.
In its final form, HB 137 would allow the state to enter $40 million in contracts to research and develop brackish water projects and reduce the state’s reliance on fresh water.
The bill was amended in February to remove its most controversial provision, which would have allowed the treatment Read More
Governor: Legislature Should Expect Special Session In Wake Of Mass Shooting
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, right, speaks to media about the deadly mass shooting in Las Cruces, with Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, left, in the governor’s Cabinet room at the Roundhouse on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to media about the deadly mass shooting in Las Cruces in the governor’s Cabinet room at the Roundhouse on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
After a mass shooting the night before at a park in Las Cruces, a visibly angry governor said Read More
State GOP On Conclusion Of 2025 Legislative Session
Chairwoman Amy Barela
From the Republican Party of New Mexico:
SANTA FE—The First Session of the 57th Legislature has ended, and sine die has been declared. Despite holding the minority in both chambers of the state legislature, Republicans held the line for New Mexicans against a wave of bad bills.
“First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their hard work, countless hours and time spent away from family during this session,” said Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) Chairwoman Amy Barela. “Republicans in the legislature stood strong, stopping the biggest tax increase in state history Read More
New Mexico Secretary Of State Highlights Passage Of Election Bills In 2025 Legislative Session
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
From the Office of the Secretary of State:
SANTA FE – The 2025 New Mexico legislative session saw the passage of multiple bills that add stability, transparency, and safety to New Mexico’s elections.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released the following statement today after the conclusion of the legislative session:
“I commend the successful passage of multiple bills during the 2025 legislative session that will further enhance the quality of New Mexico’s already top-ranked elections,” Secretary Toulouse Oliver said. “With Read More
Canceled: County Personnel Board Meeting March 25, 2025
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Personnel Board meeting scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Room 110 at the Municipal Building is canceled due to lack of agenda items.
Local Citizens Call On Community To Sign Petition To Add ‘The Boys Of Pajarito Plateau Los Alamos Ranch School 1917-1943’ Painting To County Art Collection
‘The Boys of Pajarito Plateau Los Alamos Ranch School 1917-1943’ commemorative oil painting by J.W. Segler is now on display for a short time at Bathtub Row Brewing Coop in Los Alamos. The community is invited to stop by and view the original painting, sign the County Petition for purchase and have a beer. Courtesy image
COMMUNITY News:
- Visit the painting and sign the petition at Bathtub Row Brewery Coop.
- Attend County Council meeting 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to hear presentation to the Council.
At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, a group of local citizens in support of purchase of “The Boys of Pajarito Plateau Read More
Governor Issues Statement On Las Cruces Mass Shooting
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting that occurred Friday night at Young Park in Las Cruces:
I am heartbroken and horrified by the mass shooting Friday night at Young Park in Las Cruces. Three people are dead and at least 15 others were wounded in this senseless act of violence. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the entire Las Cruces community during this unimaginably difficult time.
The indiscriminate nature of this shooting is both shocking and unacceptable, but sadly not surprising. Read More
Los Alamos County Inclusivity Task Force To Meet March 26
Ringside Seat: Senate Defunds DA On Claims Of Incompetence
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
State Sen. George Muñoz claims criminals roam unchecked in his hometown of Gallup because of a prosecutor’s ineptitude.
“The district attorney has no employees. We have over 600 cases there that are not getting heard,” Muñoz told fellow senators this week during debate on the state budget.
His solution is to cut McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin’s budget by 94%, or $3.88 million. Muñoz, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, shifted the money to the district attorney of neighboring San Juan County.
If Muñoz’s proposal Read More
New Mexico House And Senate Agree On Legislation To Cut State Income Taxes For Working People
STATE News:
- Bill to eliminate state income tax for many working families now heads to Governor
Notice Of County Council Closed Session March 25, 2025
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council will hold a closed session, 4:15 p.m. Tuesday March 25, 2025, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
The purpose of the closed session is for Council to discuss the purchase or acquisition of real property and threatened or pending litigation.
