Councilor Kristin Henderson Attends Open House
Los Alamos County Councilor Kristin Henderson with County Information Technology Project Manager Estevan Gonzales with a pilot from New Mexico Airlines in front of the new commuter plane during Friday’s open house at the Los Alamos County Airport. Courtesy photo Read More
Russians Visit Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
Russian visitors from Sarov spent time last week with New Mexico Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos on the House floor at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, from left, Elena Babinova, Paul White, Irina Starostina, Oxana Gorelova, Garcia Richard, Dmitry Avdeev and Natalia Kochetkova. Courtesy photo
Senators Want Expanded Mental Health Services for Students
U.S. SENATE News:
Sen. Tom Udall
WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are spearheading an effort with 16 of their colleagues to expand comprehensive school-based mental health services for children.
The Mental Health in Schools Act would authorize funding for grants to schools and other mental health centers to partner with community-based organizations to expand access to services for students.
“Removing the stigma around mental illness and making treatment available at early ages is critical to raising a stable and productive society,” Udall said. Read More
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s 2013 Legislative Session Review
Stephanie Garcia Richard is the newly elected State House Representative for District 43, which includes Los Alamos and parts of Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties. She is a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University and teaches 3rd grade at Pablo Roybal Elementary School in Pojoaque. Courtesy photoIn her 2013 Legislative Session Review, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard issued the following information to her constituents:
It has been an honor to serve as your State Representative for District 43 and I am excited to continue to work together as we build a better Read More
Los Alamos Democratic Party Elects New Officers
State Central Committee members and local officers were elected at the Los Alamos Democratic Party Convention Wednesday, March 27 at Fuller Lodge. From left, County Vice Chair Michael Redondo, County Chair Robyn Schultz and committee members Phil Gursky, Cathy Chapman and George Chandler. Several candidates for the 2014 election and for the State Democratic Chair position were in attendance. Courtesy photo
Jason Marks, candidate for New Mexico Attorney General with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., attended the Los Alamos Democratic Party Convention Wednesday, March 27
Million March Against Child Abuse April 22 in Santa Fe
Judge Sylvia LaMar Speaks With Local Democrats
Judge Sylvia LaMar with Los Alamos Democratic Party Chair Mike Wheeler and Party Secretary Carlotta McInteer. Photo by Carl Newton
DPLA News:
New Mexico’s 1st Judicial District Judge Sylvia LaMar spoke at the monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of Los Alamos March 21.
LaMar discussed her judicial docket, which includes hearing domestic cases each Wednesday in the district courtroom of the Los Alamos Justice Center.
Before she was appointed by Gov. Susanna Martinez last November, LaMar practiced domestic relations and personal injury law in Santa Fe for many years.
Following Read More
Signed! Río Grande del Norte a National Monument
New Mexico’s Río Grande del Norte. Photo by Bob Wick/BLMCounty Democratic Convention 7 p.m. Wednesday
DEMOCRATIC PARTY News:
The Democratic County Convention is 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Fuller Lodge. Refreshments will be provided.
Monday: Udall to Host Río Grande del Norte White House Proclamation Celebration in Taos
U.S. SENATE News:NM Delegation Applauds Creation of Río Grande del Norte Monument
Río Grande del Norte. Courtesy photoLuján Urges House Leaders to Include IDEA Funding Provision in Continuing Resolution
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
- Senate-Passed Provision Could Significantly Benefit New Mexico
WASHINGTON. D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today urging them to support the inclusion of an import provision in the final continuing resolution (CR) that addresses IDEA funding.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
The Senate-passed CR includes a provision that changes the penalty for states that fail to meet the maintenance of effort requirement for IDEA funding (Individuals Read More
Los Alamos County Clerk Says Same-Sex Marriage Not Yet Legal in New Mexico
By GREG KENDALL Santa Fe Mayor David Coss announced that he believes same-sex marriage is legal in New Mexico and is encouraging city and county clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Santa Fe City Attorney Geno Zamora and City Councilor Patti Bushee also voiced their support for gay marriage.
“Marriage law in New Mexico is gender-neutral and does not define marriage as between a man and a woman,” Zamora said. “New Mexico already recognizes valid marriages performed in other states between same-sex couples; it would violate our state’s Read More
GOP Central Committee Meets Thursday
The Los Alamos GOP Central Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at UNM-LA in room 220.Central Committee members are encouraged to attend. All Republicans are welcome. Read More
2013 Legislative Session Recap
STATE News:
Legislative Session Recap
SANTA FE – After 60 long days, the 2013 Legislative Session drew to a close Saturday, March 16.
Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a majority of the agenda they laid out at the beginning of the 51st legislative session.
This success would not be possible without the help of House Republicans. Together, Representatives in the New Mexico House were able to put politics aside and work in a bipartisan manner to prioritize good policies for New Mexicans.
“I am proud of the hard work the House of Representatives has accomplished in the 2013 Read More
Fire Stations and Law Enforcement Sites To Become Safe Havens
STATE News:
- HB 374 waiting for Governor’s Signature
SANTA FE – Distraught parents who want to give up their unwanted infants now have another place where they can drop them off and keep them safe.
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Emily Kane (D-Bernalillo-15) expands Safe Haven sites to include fire stations and law enforcement locations such as police or sheriff’s departments.
House Bill 374a “Safe Haven for Infants Site Definition” is now awaiting the Governor’s signature after passing the Senate on Wednesday.
“It’s a very compassionate bill,” Kane said. “We wanted Read More
Luján Questions DOE Officials About Hanford Waste Going to New Mexico
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee questioned officials from the Department of Energy Wednesday. https:////www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBY9C4ZHQR4&feature=youtu.be
He questioned the officials on their plans to move millions of gallons of highly radioactive waste from the Hanford site in Washington state to New Mexico for storage at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plan (WIPP.)
While the leaks at Hanford are an environmental disaster, moving this waste to Read More
House of Representatives Highlights March 15
STATE News:
New Mexico House Highlights:
On the Floor in the House
House Bill 550 (“Raise Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees”), sponsored by Rep. Phillip Archuleta (D-Doña Ana-36), passed the House by a vote of 34-31. It increases the minimum wage for tipped employees (like waiters and waitresses) from $2.13 to $3.25 to ensure that tipped employees make a fair wage.
House Transportation & Public Works Committee Substitute for House Bill 672 with emergency clause (“Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare”), sponsored by Rep. Bobby Gonzales (D-Taos-42), passed the House by a vote of Read More
Kendall: Martinez vs. Garcia Richard – Gotcha Politics or SOP?
Column by GREG KENDALLDid State House Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard break her promise to voters? She vowed to help repeal the Richardson era driver’s license law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain New Mexico driver’s licenses.
Gov. Susana Martinez and anonymous robo-callers would like you to believe that Garcia Richard broke her promise.
Martinez went live on Los Alamos radio station KRSN AM 1490 March 7 to make that claim directly to local voters. But it is not that simple.
House Bill 606, sponsored by Rep. Paul Pacheco (R-Bernalillo & Sandoval-23), Read More
Canine Cruelty Victim Melts Hearts at Roundhouse
David Card and his dog Taffy attended Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico Animal Lobby Day Feb 25 at the Roundhouse. Taffy was rescued after being abandoned and mistreated. Courtesy photoOn Feb. 25, 2013 the Animal Protection Voters (APV) of New Mexico held Animal Lobby Day at the state capital.
APVNM is the first statewide animal advocacy organization in the country.
Canine guest, Taffy, was abandoned and found on the side of the road, scarred on his back, emaciated and blind. No one was ever held responsible for discarding him like trash. Read More
