Letter to the Editor: The Growing Importance Of Community Colleges
By MICHAEL DI ROSA, CandidateIn Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech, President Obama raised the prospect of eliminating tuition for qualifying students enrolled at one of the more than 1,000 public community colleges across the Country.
Debates over such a plan’s fiscal chances and mechanics of delivery are certain but shouldn’t detract from the larger point that community colleges are in the news and recognized at the highest political levels as essential to national competitiveness.
A recent report by the New Mexico Legislative Finance Read More
Heinrich Cosponsors Women’s Health Protection Act
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is cosponsoring the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill to make it illegal for states to chip away at women’s reproductive rights.
The legislation would protect a woman’s right and ability to determine whether and when to bear a child by limiting restrictions on the provision of abortion services – such as those in place in states including Texas and Wisconsin. The bill’s introduction comes as the country marks the 42nd anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Read More
Senate Majority Leader Delivers Democratic Response To Governor’s State Of New Mexico Address
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-29-Bernalillo and Valencia counties, delivered a Democratic response Tuesday to Gov. Susana Martinez’s State of the State address at the State Capitol.
Sanchez laid out significant differences between Democratic priorities and the Governor’s policy agenda, including so-called ‘Right to Work’ legislation, repeal of drivers’ licenses of undocumented immigrants, mandatory retention of third graders, over-testing in public schools, funding of early childhood Read More
Time To Reach Across Aisle And Talk About Science
By CHRISTINE MCENTEE
AGU Executive Director/CEO
- American Geophysical Union Applauds President Obama’s Acknowledgement of the Role Science Plays in America’s Economy; Calls for Bipartisan Funding Support from Congress
As President Obama said in his State of the Union address tonight, you don’t have to be a scientist to understand why science matters. You also don’t have to be a scientist to understand why bipartisan support for research funding should be a no-brainer.
Issues such as energy innovation and the impacts of our changing climate aren’t limited to red states or blue states. And Read More
School Board Candidate Forum At LAHS Jan. 29
LAPS News:
Candidates running for a seat on the Los Alamos School Board will participate in a forum 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29 in the Speech Theater at Los Alamos High School.
This forum is open to the public and LAPS administration strongly encourages LAPS parents and students, parent teacher organizations and school leadership to attend. Read More
New Mexico House Elects First Woman Chief Clerk
STATE News:
Lawmakers elected Denise Greenlaw Ramonas as chief clerk of the New Mexico House of Representatives, becoming the first woman to ever serve in the position.
“Today is historic,” House Speaker Don Tripp said Tuesday. “For the first time in New Mexico history, we will have a woman serve as chief clerk for the state House. Denise brings a wealth of experience to the legislature, and we are honored to have her.”
As chief clerk, Greenlaw Ramonas will oversee voting procedures Read More
Governor Delivers State Of The State Address
Gov. Susana Martinez delivers 2015 State of the State Address. Photo by Nancy Partridge
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The following is the prepared text of the 2015 State of the State Address delivered by Gov. Susana Martinez today from the chamber of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
2015 State of the State Address:
Lieutenant Governor; Senate President Pro Tempore; our new House Speaker; Democratic and Republican leaders; esteemed members of the New Mexico Legislature; honorable members of the judiciary; former New Mexico governors; tribal governors; former Senator Pete Domenici; distinguished Read More
New Mexico’s 60-Day Legislative Session Underway
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties, at her desk on the floor of the New Mexico House of Representatives at today’s opening of the 60-day Legislative Session in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard takes the oath of office with fellow legislators on the floor of the New Mexico House of Representatives at today’s opening of the 60-day Legislative Session in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo Read More
Don Tripp Accepts Gavel As New House Speaker
New House Speaker Don Tripp accepted the gavel today saying it is not a Republican gavel or a Democratic gavel, but a gavel of the people of New Mexico. Photo by Nancy Partridge
Gov. Susana Martinez speaking at today’s opening of the legislative session in Santa Fe. Photo by Nancy Partridge
STATE News:
Republican Don Tripp accepted the gavel as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives today as the New Mexico 60-day Legislative Session got underway at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.
Below are his prepared remarks:
My friends, I accept this gavel. Not on behalf of a Republican House or a Democratic Read More
White House Teams With YouTube For Tonight’s State Of The Union Address
President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2014. Official White House photo by Amanda Lucidon
WHITE HOUSE News:
President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union 2015 at 9 p.m. today. Here’s everything you need to know:
- Watch the exclusive enhanced speech live at WH.gov/SOTU on Tuesday, January 20, at 9 p.m. ET.
- Visit WH.gov/SOTU to sign up for speech reminders, ask a question for post-speech follow-up, and get updates on the issues.
- Share which issue you’d most like to see progress on in the time
Meet School Board Candidate Andrea Cunningham
By ANDREA CUNNINGHAM, Candidate
Los Alamos School Board Dist. 4
Hello, my name is Andrea Cunningham. My husband and I moved to Los Alamos 22 years ago from the University of Michigan and have raised our three daughters, now 21, 19 and 16 here. I was a stay at home mom for several years and became active in volunteering, both in the schools and community.
I am a nurse and have worked in a variety of positions, including at LANL. I now manage the Los Alamos Public Health office. While volunteering, I became a voice for young families in the political process and successfully led many projects, Read More
Heinrich Applauds President’s Actions To Expand Paid Sick And Family Leave For Workers
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement Wednesday after President Obama announced a plan to expand paid sick and family leave for working families.
In New Mexico, there are an estimated 270,000 workers currently without paid sick leave.
“The fact that we are the only developed country in the world that does not offer paid maternity leave is unacceptable. We shouldn’t force working moms and dads to choose between a paycheck and caring for a newborn. Workplace flexibility and practices Read More
Luján On Life And Legacy Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1964. Courtesy/wikipedia
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
SANTA FE – Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:
“Today we honor a man whose message of equality and nonviolence propelled a movement that changed our nation, and whose message we must continue to heed. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of a Beloved Community – a community that is founded on love, respect, and hope; a community that rejects darkness and discrimination, hate and racism, Read More
Udall Speaks Against Congress Mandating Approval Of Keystone Pipeline
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
- Congress should focus on broad energy policy that includes renewables, rather than a pipeline for a private foreign corporation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall delivered a speech Friday on the Senate floor against a bill to mandate approval of the Keystone pipeline. Udall said that Congress should not intervene in approving a pipeline for a foreign corporation.
“We are being asked to do something that I believe is unprecedented,” he said in his remarks, “for Congress to step in and promote a bill for one private sector energy project, and to wave Read More
Legislation Targets Toughening Child Pornography Possession Penalties
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Representative-elects Randy Crowder of Clovis and David Adkins of Albuquerque plan to file legislation to toughen penalties for possessing child pornography. Currently, offenders are charged with just one count of possession of child pornography even if they have dozens of images.
“We need to clarify the law if we want to get tough on predators in possession of child pornography,” Crowder said. “I call on my colleagues to join me in protecting New Mexico’s children.”
The courts have said that current law fails to define what constitutes one count of child pornography. Read More
Heinrich: ‘Let Us Be Reminded Of His Dream’
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
- Heinrich makes statement on MKL Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is celebrated Monday, Jan. 19.
School Board Candidates State Views At Forum
School Board candidates from left, NancyAnn Holmes, William Hargraves, Sheryl Nichols, Andrea Cunningham, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer McCumber. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Local teacher Andrea Determan addresses school board candidates. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The second half of the election forum held Wednesday by the League of Women Voters was devoted to the School Board Election which takes place Feb. 3. The School Board is divided into districts by area and a voter may only vote for candidates in his
UNM-LA Advisory Board Candidates Present Views At League Of Women Voters Forum
League of Women Voters President Barbara Calef moderates Wednesday’s forum with UNM-LA Advisory Board candidates, from left, Michael D. DiRosa, Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes, James Nealy Robinson and incumbent Stephen Boerigter. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
UNM-LA Advisory Board candidates field questions from the audience Wednesday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
New Mexico ACI, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Introduce Legislation For New Mexico Business
Dr. Beverlee McClure
STATE News:
Today, The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI) partnered with Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard to introduce HB 130, a bill to strengthen the procurement process in New Mexico and modernize the state’s definition of small business.
ACI President and CEO Dr. Beverlee McClure praised Garcia Richard for working closely with ACI and ACI member businesses to develop this legislation.
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard 
“Rep. Garcia Richard’s bill takes much-needed steps to strengthen our state’s procurement process,” said McClure. Read More
Meet UNM-LA Advisory Board Position 3 Candidate James Robinson
By JAMES ROBINSON, CandidateIt is hard to believe that we are only three weeks from another election. It seems just like yesterday that I was filling my candidacy forms and gearing up for the holidays.
With the holidays behind us, I would like to take some time to explain what I would like to do if I am elected to Position 3 of the UNM-LA Advisory Board.
I would first like to thank The Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos for inviting me to talk to and meet their chapter last week. It was a great pleasure to meet the members, and enjoy a great lunch.
As I have said before, UNM-LA holds Read More
