Luján: To Combat Climate Change We Need a Workforce Prepared to Work in a Clean Energy Economy
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and a member of the Safe Climate Caucus spoke on the House floor last night about how enhancing green job training programs at community colleges can prepare workers for careers in a clean energy economy that helps address the impacts of climate change.
The Safe Climate Caucus, a group of Democratic members who are highlighting the need for action on climate change through daily floor speeches and other activities. Watch Luján’s speech here: https:////www.lujan.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1058 Read More
Letter to the Editor: 501c4 Organizations!
501c4 Organizations! I believe the IRS should withdraw all tax exempt status from any organization which endorses any political candidate.
This should extend to other categories in addition to this particular 501c organization group, including religious and social organizations!
No 501c organization should be allowed to make contributions to PACs or to candidates. Certainly political action groups are allowed to do whatever they want but they should not be tax exempt. Any tax exempt 501c organization should make public their financial contributors!
Other Read More
In Focus Looks at Texas Water Rustling; NM Tea Party Scrutiny From IRS
Attorney General Gary King
NM PBS News:
New Mexico Attorney General Gary King talks about the state’s water battle with Texas on this week’s edition of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, airing 7 p.m. Friday, May 17 on New Mexico PBS/KNME 5.1.
With both states mired in historic droughts, every drop of water has the potential to be contentious. The A.G. says it amounts to “water rustling” but is there anything the state can do to prevent a Texan water grab?
Also on the program, open government issues still swirl around King and the Martinez administration as the two prepare to do battle in 2014.
The Line opinion panel Read More
Republicans Meet at 7 p.m. Thursday
GOP News:
All members of the Republican Party are invited to attend the Party Central Committee Meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in Room 220 at UNM-Los Alamos.
Guest speaker will be State Party Chairman John Billingsley. Accompanying him will be Bernadette Granger, one of the state headquarters staffers.
Billingsley was the campaign chairman of Steve Pearce in his bid for the U.S. Senate. Read More
Udall Addresses DOJ’s Collection of AP Records, IRS Targeting and Mineral Royalties Bill
U.S. SENATE NEWS:Udall Initiative Would Increase Graduation Rate, Help Underperforming Schools
Sen. Tom UdallLuján Cosponsors Bill to Protect New Mexico Royalty Payments from Sequester Cuts
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District joined with a number of Representatives from Western states to introduce legislation that protects state mineral royalty payments from cuts due to the sequester.
The States Mineral Protection Act allows states the option of directly collecting their share of federal mineral royalties under the Mineral Leasing Act. This would prohibit the federal government from sequestering mineral royalties owed to the states and eliminate a 2 percent fee that the federal government charges for collection Read More
Regional Coalition Pleased with DOE Reprogramming Request for LANL Clean Up Funding
RCLC News:
SANTA FE—The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is pleased to announce that New Mexico is one step closer to receiving critical federal funding needed to maintain ongoing environmental management efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Last week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the White House sent a reprogramming request to Congress in the amount of $19 million. Reprogramming will allow the DOE to move necessary funds between their accounts during the current fiscal year but Read More
Democrats Meet Thursday May 16
LADP News:
The Los Alamos Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the UNM-Los Alamos Student Center, Building Two.
The group will watch a short video by Bill Moyers, “United States of ALEC,” a report on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of America has never heard of — ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership.”
According to Moyers, behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying Read More
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Make Progress Restoring LANL Cleanup Funding
NM DELEGATION News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján announced that the Department of Energy and the White House have responded to their calls for critical funding needed to maintain ongoing environmental management efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory by sending a reprogramming request to Congress in the amount of $19 million.
They are now urging the necessary Congressional Committees to approve the without delay and advocating for an additional $21 million from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Read More
Udall, Hirono, Polis Introduce Bill to Support Pregnant and Parenting Students
U.S. SENATE News:- Measure Would Help Teen Parents Graduate and Become College or Career Ready
Governor Views Progress of 3706 TRU Waste Campaign at LANL
Gov. Susana Martinez speaking today at TA-55 during her visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory to receive an update of the 3706 TRU Waste Campaign. Photo by Richard Robinson/LANL
Jeff Mousseau, LANL Environmental Programs Directorate leader speaking during today’s press briefing at TA-54 with Gov. Susana Martinez. Photo by Richard Robinson/LANL
Udall Talks LANL Cleanup & Water Conference Report
U.S. SENATE News:Thursday’s “Lunch with a Leader” Features JJAB Speakers
LWVLA News:
The League of Women Voters’ monthly “Lunch with a Leader” will present three speakers from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB.)
The event is 11:40 a.m. Thursday, May 9 at Mesa Public Library. The discussion will center around the history of JJAB, its relationship with state and County entities, its programs and collaborations, the scope of its work and current challenges, and how people can get involved.
JJAB Chair Alan Kirk has been with JJAB since it’s founding in 2002. He is a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University and served as Los Alamos police Read More
New Bill on Horizon to End Doping of Racehorses
Sen. Tom UdallAhead of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and U.S. Reps. Ed Whitfield, R-Ken., and Joe Pitts, R-Penn., revealed draft legislation they intend to introduce to end doping in horseracing and kick cheaters out of the sport.
Republican Women Meet May 9
LAFRW News:
The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women will hold its May meeting at noon Thursday, May 9 at the Ridgepark Clubhouse, 505 Oppenheimer Dr.
Guest speaker will be Elaine Miller, president of New Mexico Federated Republican Women. She will speak on the topic, “Why Be Federated?”
Following this meeting, members may join Miller for lunch at the Dixie Girl Restaurant. Reservations are required. Contact Donna MacDonald at 662-4001.
Members are reminded to bring non-perishable food items and toiletries for charity donations. Read More
Public Invited to Talk on Electoral Redistricting Saturday
LWVLA News:
The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos invites the community to attend a potluck lunch provided by League members at 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2390 North Road.
Following the lunch, at 12:30 p.m., Michael Sharp, Vice President at Research & Polling, will give a talk on “Redistricting: Process and Principles.”
He will discuss the recently completed redistricting process in New Mexico and will provide information on the principles that impact how election district boundaries are created.
Sharp leads the redistricting Read More
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Holds Town Hall Meeting
State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard addresses the crowd gathered for her town hall meeting at Betty Ehart Center Friday. Courtesy photo
Staff report
State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard held a town hall meeting Friday afternoon at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
More than 30 people attended the event, which was co-sponsored by the Los Alamos chapter of the AARP.
Garcia Richard gave a presentation on the 2013 legislative session outcomes.
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard discusses outcomes of the 2013 legislative session. Courtesy photo
Luján: Sequester Cuts Will Impact Ability to Address Climate Change
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 spoke on the House floor last night on the negative impact that the sequester’s arbitrary cuts will have on the effort to address climate change.
“Mr. Speaker, at a time when our communities are dealing with the impact of climate change, cuts from the sequester will negatively impact our long-term efforts to combat this challenge.
“Energy conservation is a vital component of reducing carbon emissions. Weatherization programs and the Read More
Udall, Heinrich, Luján Introduce Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act
Columbine-Hondo Wheeler Peak Wilderness Legislative Map.
NM DELEGATION News:
In celebration of Earth Day, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich reintroduced legislation Monday to designate the 45,000-acre Columbine-Hondo area in Taos County as wilderness – a proposal with strong support from the local community.
A companion bill will be introduced today in the House by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján.
