Skandera Still Not Listening To Teachers Or Parents; Continues To Push Retention Despite Negative Effects
By Senate Majority Leader Michael S. SanchezSANTA FE – An op-ed by Education Secretary-Designate Hanna Skandera in the Albuquerque Journal this week asks voters to support the Governor’s continued agenda to end social promotion in New Mexico schools.
Skandera tells us that social promotion is a “failed policy” and that when children cannot read at grade level, they should be held back. It doesn’t matter that they may score extremely high in math, because she believes their reading score is the determining factor in whether they should proceed to the Read More
Poll Workers Train For School Board Election
Elections Manager Gloria Maestas trains poll workers this morning on voting machines for the Feb. 3 School Board. Courtesy/LAC
Poll workers from left, Fred Brueggeman, Bill McKerley, Erin Kennison and Collin Windle test the audio-visual ballot marking interface component on the ICE voting machine during today’s certification. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County (LAC) Clerk’s Office conducted poll worker training today for the Feb. 3 School Board Election.
Poll workers are entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out state mandated election procedures Read More
Heinrich Cosponsors Bill To Ensure Married Same-Sex Couples Are Treated Equally Under Federal Law
U.S. SENATE News:
- “Guaranteeing equal protection under the law is right and just.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., cosponsored S. 29, the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to ensure all legally-married, same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law.
The bill seeks to fully implement the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.
“All couples who have solidified their life-long commitment to each other through marriage deserve the same rights and responsibilities regardless of where they live,” Read More
Luján Statement At Start Of 114th Congress
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
CONGRESSIONAL News:
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement Tuesday after being sworn in as a member of the 114th Congress.
“As we start the new Congress it is a tremendous honor to serve the people of New Mexico and to have the opportunity to again represent our great state. In New Mexico we are a family, and to solve the challenges we face we need to work together, from every level of government to the private sector. We all have a role to play and I will be working hard in Washington and in the district Read More
Heinrich Cosponsors Net Neutrality Legislation
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
- The Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act would protect consumers, prevent a two-tiered Internet system
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is cosponsoring net neutrality legislation that would help prevent the creation of a two-tiered Internet system by requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ban so-called “paid prioritization” agreements between a broadband provider and a content provider.
Introduction of the legislation, the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Read More
Udall Offers Senate Rules Reform Proposal
Sen.Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen.Tom Udall, D-N.M., delivered a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor on a proposal he offered with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., to increase transparency, restore accountability and foster debate in the Senate by reforming the Senate’s often-abused rules.
The centerpiece of their proposal requires a “talking filibuster,” meaning senators wishing to block legislation would have to do so by speaking on the Senate floor. Udall has been a leader in the effort to reform the Senate rules since he was elected Read More
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Sworn In For Second Term
Vice President Joe Biden administers the oath of office to U.S. Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico Tuesday on the floor of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., as his wife Jill Cooper Udall holds the Bible. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At just after noon Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall was sworn in for his second term in the U.S. Senate. He issued the following statement:
“Public service is a true honor, and I’m humbled to be able to work on behalf of New Mexicans for another term in the U.S. Senate. I look forward to continuing to fight for our state’s priorities – for funding Read More
Meet School Board Candidate William (Bill) Hargraves
William (Bill) HargravesRegional Coalition Of LANL Communities Meets Jan. 16
RCLC News:
The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is set to meet 9-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the City of Santa Fe Council Chambers, 200 Lincoln Ave.
For its first meeting of 2015, the Regional Coalition will revisit the Strategic Plan and set goals for 2015.
Pursuant to New Mexico Open Meetings Act Section 10-15-1 (H) Subsection (2) limited personnel matters by the public body, a closed session will be held following the regular business meeting pertaining to executive director interviews.
Along The Way: Mary Libby Campbell Making A Difference In Harding County
Along the way in his travels across New Mexico, USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner met Mary Libby Campbell, a rancher whom he describes as a very concerned citizen of Harding County. Courtesy photo 
Along the Way, Mary Libby Campbell Making a Difference in Harding CountyThis is Terry Brunner, and I’m the State Director for Rural Development at the US Department of Agriculture reporting to you on some of the people I see “Along the way” making a difference in rural New Mexico.
Driving on the western edge Read More
Heinrich, Barrasso Introduce Bill To Speed Up American LNG Exports
U.S. Senate News:
WASHINGTON, DC – Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., joined U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., to introduce the LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act.
The bipartisan legislation will speed up the approval process for exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the United States. It specifically requires the Secretary of Energy to make a decision on any LNG export application within 45 days after the environmental review document for the project is published.
“Natural gas has significant Read More
Heinrich Backs Reforms To Prevent Use Of Torture
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, is supporting a series of reforms to prevent the future use of torture.
The recommendations, which were derived from the committee’s five-year review of the CIA’s detention and interrogation program, were outlined in a letter from Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sent to President Obama last week.
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Senator Heinrich made the following statement today:
“In her letter to the President, Senator Feinstein Read More
Los Alamos Federated Republican Women Meet Jan. 8
LAFRW News:2015 Legislative Preview At Fuller Lodge Jan. 8
LWVLA News:
The 2015 New Mexico legislative session will begin Jan. 20 and continue for 60 days.
The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos is coordinating with the American Association of University Women to hold a legislative preview 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, in Fuller Lodge. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend this annual event.
Legislators planning to come and share their views on the upcoming session include Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez. Also, Rep. Jim Smith, R-Bernalillo, a member of the Legislative Read More
Governor Martinez Delivers Second Inaugural Address
Gov. Susana Martinez being sworn into office this morning in the chamber of the New Mexico House of Representatives in Santa Fe. Photo by Sharon Stover
STATE News:
SANTA FE – The following is the text of Gov. Susana Martinez’s second inaugural address as prepared for delivery from the chamber of the New Mexico House of Representatives today:
My fellow citizens of New Mexico, I thank you. I am incredibly grateful and honored that you have once again given me the opportunity and the privilege to serve as your governor.
I understand and appreciate the important responsibilities that come with this Read More
Governor Susana Martinez Sworn In For Second Term
New Mexico Court of Appeals Judge J. Miles Hanisee administers the oath of office to Gov. Susana Martinez Wednesday night, with first gentleman Chuck Franco holding the Bible. Photo by Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal
STATE News:
Santa Fe – Gov. Susana Martinez was sworn in Wednesday night to begin her second term during a midnight ceremony at the Governor’s Residence in Santa Fe. Administered by New Mexico Court of Appeals Judge J. Miles Hanisee and in the presence of her closest family and friends, Martinez took the oath of office with her husband First Gentleman Chuck Franco, stepson Carlo, Read More
Expanding Mission, Budget Cuts, Retirements At Root Of Secret Service Problems
Secret Service vest. Courtesy/U.S. Secret Service
HSNW News:
A series of recent security lapses at the White House may be attributed to an expansion of U.S. Secret Service duties ordered by Congress and the White House during the George W. Bush administration, according to a new DHS review of the agency.
Officials familiar with the agency’s administrative inner-workings also note that budget cuts forced the agency to ration services while simultaneously dealing with a wave of early retirements from seasoned staff members.
Formerly, Secret Service agents had been awarded the same Read More
Juntos Brings Latino Voices And Stories To Forefront At Clean Energy Rally Jan. 5
CVNM News:
SANTA FE – Their first week back in the office will be a tough one for members of the state’s Public Regulation Commission (PRC).
Monday, Jan. 5 the commissioners are opening their doors for more than a week of public comment on a proposal by PNM, the state’s largest utility, to import coal and nuclear energy instead of increasing generation of clean energy in the state.
The Latino community joins organizations from across the state to weigh in and call on the commissioners to send PNM’s proposal back to the drawing board to map out a plan that invests in clean Read More
Letter to the Editor: Council Does NOT Support Reinstatement Of New Mexico Food Tax
By KRISTIN HENDERSON, Vice Chair
Los Alamos County Council
I saw the letter to the editor dated Dec. 27, 2014, questioning whether or not the Los Alamos County Council supports the reinstatement of a food tax in New Mexico.
I would like to be clear that the current Los Alamos County Council does NOT support the reinstatement of a food tax in New Mexico.
This has come before us twice, in deciding whether or not to support the state legislative agendas of two different organizations – the New Mexico Municipal League, and the New Mexico Association of Counties. The issue of reinstating a food tax Read More
Council Approves 2015 State Legislative Agenda
COUNTY News:
A motion was made at the Dec. 9 Los Alamos County Council meeting by Councilor Rick Reiss and seconded by Council Vice Chair Kristin Henderson, that Council adopt the 2015 State Legislative Agenda.
The motion passed unanamously by all seven councilors.
Each year, Council adopts a State Legislative Agenda. This document is used as a guide for the County’s intergovernmental efforts. The State Legislative Agenda provides direction from the County Council to staff and its legislative support contractor when working with various State officials and entities, providing Read More
