Luján Statement On Funding DHS For Seven Days
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 released the following statement tonight after voting for a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for seven days.
“By passing a seven-day funding bill tonight, we are laying the foundation to bring up a full-year funding bill next week rather than prolonging it for three weeks. Tonight’s vote assures us that we will vote for full funding next week and put House Republicans’ irresponsible manufactured political crisis to an end.” Read More
Heinrich Welcomes $6.4 Million For Operationally Responsive Space Program At Kirtland Air Force Base
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced $6.4 million for the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) program in the Air Force’s fiscal year 2016 budget request, which still must be approved by Congress.
For the past three years, the Air Force has attempted to terminate ORS, and this budget request marks the first time it has reinvested in the program.
Electronic Payments Allowed For Court Fines, Fees
COURT News:
SANTA FE – State courts have launched a new system allowing online payments of traffic tickets as well as fines and fees owed in criminal cases in magistrate courts and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
Payments can be made from the following court website using a credit card or debit card: https://publicaccess.nmcourts.gov/.
“Our courts are providing a secure, convenient method for paying fines and fees,” said Artie Pepin, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. “The electronic payment system saves time and money for the public. A trip to the courthouse Read More
IRS Issues Nearly 40 Million Tax Refunds
IRS News:
PHOENIX—Almost 40 million tax refunds worth nearly $125 billion have been issued as of Feb. 20, according to Internal Revenue Service statistics released Thursday.
The average refund is $3,120.
The IRS has processed nearly 50 million returns, about one-third of the total individual federal income tax returns the agency expects to receive this year, with almost 83 percent of those returns resulting in refunds. More than 92 percent of refunds have been directly deposited into taxpayer accounts. The IRS recommends direct deposit as a safe, quick way for taxpayers to get their refunds. Read More
Will Governor & Education Secretary Take PARCC Test?
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Responding to parent and student concerns about the over-use of standardized tests, Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez, D-Valencia, Bernalillo, Thursday challenged Gov. Susana Martinez and Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera to take the PARCC exam to find out if they can pass it.
PARCC stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.
Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera
All public school students in New Mexico grades 3-11 are required to complete the new computerized test beginning next Read More
Parade Of Storms To Continue Through Sunday
Snow covers the area overnight including this Pinon Trails neighborhood in White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
NWS News:
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a winter storm warning expected to continue until 4 p.m., Sunday.
Winter Storm Warning:
.AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT AREAS EAST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE WITH ACCUMULATING SNOW THROUGH THIS MORNING.
A NEW BATCH OF HEAVY SNOW WILL BEGIN TO DEVELOP ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST AREAS THIS AFTERNOON AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM DROPS SOUTHWARD INTO THE WESTERN UNITED Read More
Former Singer/Guitarist Of ‘Wardog’ Releasing Old Song: ‘Clouds Of Magellan’ Sung In Klingon
Musician Tom Gattis of Los Alamos. Courtesy photoGarcia Richard’s DWI Bill Passes House 61-0
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
SANTA FE – Efforts to stop drunk driving and close loopholes in the current DWI laws secured a major victory this evening.
The New Mexico House voted unanimously (61-0) to pass Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s, D-Los Alamos, DWI Interlock Removal Requirements legislation, House Bill 86.
“For three sessions, I have fought alongside of DWI prevention advocates to continue to raise awareness and pass legislation to address shortcomings and loopholes hindering our state from fully eradicating its drunk driving problem,” Read More
WIPP Hosts All-Hazards Planning Meeting
WIPP News:Udall Applauds FCC’s New Net Neutrality Rules
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed a vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve updated open Internet rules.
The new rules prevent broadband providers from blocking or throttling lawful online content and ban agreements between broadband providers and online companies that create Internet “toll lanes.”
Udall has been outspoken in his support for a free and open Internet for all Americans. In November, he visited Albuquerque’s Levitated Toy Factory and met with its co-owner Jared Tarbell, who also co-founded Etsy, Read More
