N.M. House Seeks Federal Holiday Designation for Native Americans
Rep. Roberto Gonzales
STATE News:
SANTA FE–By a vote of 70-0, the New Mexico House of Representatives approved a measure, which would seek the designation of the national “Native American Heritage Day” as a federal public holiday.
House Memorial 4 sponsored by Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, D-Taos) encourages the state’s congressional delegation to advocate for the legal public holiday in honor of Native American people.
This memorial recognizes Native Americans’ historic and contemporary experiences and their substantial contributions to the United States’ cultural, Read More
Winter Weather Returns for Portions of Northern New Mexico
NWS News:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory through Satuday morning.
A DEEP FETCH OF PACIFIC MOISTURE WILL STREAM EAST ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES TODAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY. LIGHT RAIN AND HIGH TERRAIN SNOW WILL DEVELOP OVER RIO ARRIBA COUNTY TODAY THEN CHANGE OVER TO SNOW TONIGHT.
THE MAIN PERIOD FOR POTENTIALLY HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND HAZARDOUS TRAVEL WILL COME LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED ABOVE 7500 FEET AND ALONG WEST FACING SLOPES. GUSTY WINDS WILL ACCOMPANY THIS SNOWFALL CREATING Read More
Udall Urges Support for Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Recommendations
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON – Wednesday U.S. Sen. Tom Udall urged support for the recommendations of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, issued as part of a report on the constitutionality of the NSA’s spying program.
Among other findings, the board, which was created by Congress, concluded that the NSA’s bulk telephone surveillance program is illegal and ineffective.
In June, Udall led a bipartisan call for an independent review by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board on the impact of the NSA’s spying program on Americans’ constitutional Read More
IRS Tax Tip: Who Should File 2013 Tax Return?
IRS News:
Do you need to file a federal tax return this year? Perhaps. The amount of your income, filing status, age and other factors determine if you must file.
Even if you don’t have to file a tax return, there are times when you should. Here are five good reasons why you should file a return, even if you’re not required to do so:
- Tax Withheld or Paid – Did your employer withhold federal income tax from your pay? Did you make estimated tax payments? Did you overpay last year and have it applied to this year’s tax? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could be due a refund. But you have
Udall Statement on State of the Union Address
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement after attending President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday evening:
“Like many New Mexicans, I’m frustrated by the tough economic recovery. People in our state are still working to pull themselves out of the recession. Now is a time for bold but practical ideas that will support middle class families and ensure they can afford to buy a house and educate their kids. I was pleased tonight to hear the president pledge to roll up his sleeves to make real changes Read More
Bill Targets Repeat DWI Offenders
Rep. Elizabeth Thomson
STATE News:
SANTA FE–The requirements to get a driver’s license reinstated for DWI offenders would become more difficult to meet under House Bill 10 sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson, D-Bernalillo.
HB 10 requires an additional fee of $75 (currently $25), completion of the license revocation period, and tighter ignition interlock removal requirements.
Under the current law, a DWI offender is required to use an ignition interlock on their car for a minimum of one year regardless of the blood alcohol readings registered on the interlock. Read More
Los Alamos Officials Attend 2014 Chamber Legislative Reception in Santa Fe
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Board Chair Bill Wadt, left, and LANL Community Programs Office Executive Director Kurt Stenhaus joined a number of Los Alamos officials at Monday’s 2014 Chamber Legislative Reception together with legislators, business people, chambers and business groups from around New Mexico. The event was held at the Santa Fe Convention Center at which guests sampled hors d’ouvres from Santa Fe’s finest restaurants, made connections and networked. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of White Rock Read More
President Delivers State of the Union Address Tonight
President Obama’s Chief Speechwriter Cody Keenan takes over the White House Instagram account to give Americans a look inside the process. See more behind the scenes photos here. Courtesy/WH
WHITE HOUSE News:
Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, President Barack Obama will deliver his State of the Union Address. Watch online with an enhanced version of the graphics and charts of the President’s plan for 2014 at WhiteHouse.gov. RSVP here.
Including President Obama’s 2013 address, there have been a total of 92 in person Annual Messages/State of the Union Addresses.
Origins and Authorization Read More
$3.7 Million Aimed at Turning Around New Mexico’s Lowest Performing Schools
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third highlighted Monday that New Mexico has been selected to receive funding under the U.S. Department of Education’s School Improvement Grant (SIG) Program. A grant of $3,754,213 will help in the effort to turn around persistently low achieving schools in the state.
“There is no better investment we can make in our young New Mexicans than providing them with a good education,” Luján said. “We have the responsibility to ensure that our children have proper support Read More
Alert: Tax Scams Using IRS Name
IRS News:
PHOENIX─With the start of the 2014 tax season approaching on Jan. 31, the Internal Revenue Service urged taxpayers to be aware that tax-related scams using the IRS name proliferate during this time of year.
Tax scams can take many forms, with perpetrators posing as the IRS in everything from email refund schemes to phone impersonators. The IRS warned taxpayers to be vigilant of any unexpected communication that is purportedly from the IRS at the start of tax season.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to be on the lookout for phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate Read More
