IRS Filing Season Statistics So Far
IRS News:
PHOENIX─The IRS released 2014 tax filing season statistics showing that 15 percent more refunds were already issued this year, compared to 2013 figures.
Additionally, the average federal refund totaled $3,211, an increase of $190 compared with the same period a year ago.
The statistics issued last week, covering the period through Feb. 14, show that while the overall number of tax returns filed this year is down slightly, less than a percentage point, nearly 95 percent of all returns received were filed electronically.
For more information on tax credits available for this filing Read More
Kiwanians Learn About Vastra Vang Dig
Archaeologist Maria Cunningham, right, at work at the Vasta Vang excavation. Courtesy photo
Gold-foil figure of a woman dating to the Iron Age found at the Vastra Vang site. Courtesy photo
Maria “Mia” Cunningham, a Los Alamos archaeologist, has worked in New Mexico for many years at sites ranging from downtown Santa Fe to the Valles Caldera and the desert near Las Cruces – but she is of Swedish descent, and she has always been fascinated by Swedish archaeology.
Several years ago, Mia (wife of Robert Cunningham and daughter-in-law of Paul Cunningham, Read More
Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge Funding Clears Senate
Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge. Courtesy/USFWSN.M. SENATE News:
SANTA FE–Senate Memorial 36 sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo, cleared the Senate.
The legislation seeks to complete the final phase of funding for the Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge located along the Rio Grande River in the southern portion of Bernalillo County. Eighty acres remain to be purchased to complete the project, and the legislation will ask the federal government to make this purchase.
“This legislation is going to protect this land forever,” Padilla said. “This land will provide excellent Read More
Alternative Fuel Legislation Goes to Gov.
Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales
LEGISLATIVE News:
SANTA FE–House Bill 30 sponsored by Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, D-Taos and Sen. Tim Keller, D-Bernalillo, cleared both chambers after passing the Senate floor Thursday and heads to the governor for signature.
The legislation adjusts and equalizes tax rates among different fuel types, eliminates outdated obstacles to alternative fuel use and streamlines administrative processes. House Bill 30 has the endorsement of the Legislative Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee.
The alternative fuel industry has been seeking Read More
‘Stop Fracking’ Say 25 Health Professionals
ENM News:
ALBUQUERQUE–Environment New Mexico delivered a letter from 25 doctors, nurses and other health professionals in New Mexico Thursday to President Obama asserting that fracking should be stopped, given the overwhelming threats to public health.
Environment New Mexico’s federal arm, Environment America, and its other state affiliates delivered similar letters to decision-makers from more than 1,000 health professionals nationwide.
The letters, which include signers from all 50 states, come as public awareness of the health and environmental impacts of fracking is on the Read More
House Amends Lottery Scholarship Bill
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez
LEGISLATIVE News:
SANTA FE–Senate Bill 347 (SB 347) has been amended by the House, which calls for across-the-board Lottery Scholarship funding cuts to all New Mexico students.
Bill sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Bernalillo and Valencia, has concurred with the amendment in order to avoid death of the bill, but said he was not happy with the changes.
“Although I do not agree with the amendments, in the end it is all about the students and had I not decided to concur, more students would have been hurt,” Sanchez said. “I will continue to Read More
Bill Helping New Mexico Companies Remain Competitive Passes Senate
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
LEGISLATIVE News
SANTA FE–Legislation that would promote fair competition and transparency for New Mexico resident businesses and contractors has passed the Senate. It would help New Mexico companies compete with out-of-state contractors.
House Joint Memorial 11CS sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe, requests the General Services Department (GSD) to develop guidance and secure training on bids and requests for proposals (RFP) for chief procurement officers of state agencies and local Read More
Apprenticeship Assistance Bill Heads to Gov.
House Majority Leader Rick Miera
LEGISLATIVE News:
SANTA FE–House Bill 182 (Move Apprenticeship Assistance Program), sponsored by House Majority Leader Rick Miera, D-Bernalillo, has been passed by the Sente and sent to the Governor. The bill moves the program from the Public Education Department to the Workforce Solutions Department, which currently administers the program.
The bill will streamline certain administration functions affecting apprenticeship in New Mexico by placing the apprenticeship program with the agency that has been designated by the U.S. Department Read More
Los Alamos Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery and Fleeing from an Immigration Checkpoint
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE—Anthony P. Chavez, 32, of Los Alamos, entered a guilty plea to an indictment charging him with bank robbery and high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint.
In entering his guilty plea, Chavez admitted robbing the Wells Fargo Bank branch at 5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE in Albuquerque June 29, 2013, and engaging in a high-speed flight while trying to evade the Interstate 10 U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Deming the following day.
Court records reflect the bank was robbed shortly after noon June 29, 2013 by two men—one of whom approached the bank tellers with a demand Read More
Chamisa Teacher Carolyn Torres Honored at Roundhouse
Chamisa Elementary School third grade teacher Carolyn Torres, left, was honored Wednesday at the Roundhouse by proclamation presented by Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, who is a third grade teacher in Pojoaque. Torres is the 2013 Los Alamos Teacher of the Year and elected 2014 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. Courtesy photo Read More
