Udall Pushes to Undo Cut to Military Retirees’ COLA
U.S. SENATE News:
- Amendment filed to unemployment insurance legislation would protect benefits, close corporate tax loophole
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is supporting an amendment to emergency unemployment legislation to protect military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in a bipartisan budget agreement.
The amendment mirrors legislation Udall helped introduce in December, the Military Retirement Restoration Act, which would reverse the 1 percent reduction in the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for working-age Read More
NMDOH Reports First Flu Death of Season
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported Thursday that it has confirmed the state’s first flu death for the 2013-2014 season.
The death reported was a 76-year-old Santa Fe County woman.
“Please remember that the best way to protect yourself and the elderly from the flu is to get vaccinated,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. “As flu activity increases in New Mexico, it’s important for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated against the flu to contact their healthcare provider or pharmacist about getting a flu shot.”
The predominant Read More
Luján Addresses 50th Anniversary of War on Poverty
President Lydon B. Johnson
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., released the following statement Wednesday on the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.”
“Fifty years ago, in a State of the Union Address, President Johnson declared ‘War on Poverty’ and brought to the conscience of a nation the plight of millions of Americans who were suffering from hunger, unemployment, and a lack of economic opportunity. He focused attention on those for whom the American Dream had fallen out Read More
SGR: Time to Make Jobs a Top Priority
By Rep. Stephanie Garcia RichardA recent economic evaluation of the states, conducted by Bloomberg, found that New Mexico’s economic health has declined from being in the top ten from 1995-2007 to dead last, today. This summer, the Jobs Council, comprised of Legislators and representatives from the private and public sector, was formed to come up with a strategy to get New Mexico back on track. As a Legislator, whose district has been directly affected by the decline in revenue and jobs, it has been a unique and rewarding opportunity to participate
Hot Issues Include Education and Jobs for 30-Day Session
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard speaks at the podium to residents gathered at Fuller Lodge Wednesday evening for the annual Legislative Preview as Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez listen at right. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Gerry Washburn discusses education as AAUW President Helena Whyte, left, and Think New Mexico’s Kristina Fisher look on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.comThe League of Women Voters of Los Alamos and the American Association
Luján: Senate Action on Unemployment Insurance Good First Step
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., applauded Senate action Tuesday that will allow for the consideration of bipartisan legislation to extend federal unemployment benefits that expired at the end of last month.
On Dec. 28, 1.3 million Americans, including 6,000 New Mexicans, saw their unemployment benefits run out at a time when the economy in New Mexico continues to struggle in the wake of the deepest recession in a generation.
“The Senate vote to move forward on legislation to extend unemployment insurance is a positive first Read More
N.M. Legislative Finance Committee Presents Budget Recommendations
N.M. LEGISLATURE NEWS:
SANTA FE — Friday, the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) held a press conference to present the budget recommendations for the 2014 Legislative Session. Spending calls for $6.15 billion from the general fund, which is $253.5 million more than is expected to be spent in the current fiscal year.
LFC Chairman, Rep. Luciano Valera, D-Santa Fe, opened the press conference, providing a rundown of the priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Job creation, education, public employee retention and healthcare were at the core of the list.
Legislators agreed that bipartisanship Read More
Soules Files Bill to Increase N.M. School Funding
Sen. Bill Soules
N.M. Senate News:
Santa Fe—Sen. Bill Soules, D-Dona Ana, has pre-filed Senate Bill 54 for this year’s upcoming session that would dramatically increase the funding for public schools in New Mexico. The bill requests a funding increase of more than $350 million dollars to meet the requirements of the state constitution that requires the Legislature to sufficiently fund public schools.
Based on an independent 2008 study by the American Institute for Research, an independent comprehensive study of the New Mexico public school funding formula showed that New Mexico public Read More
Los Alamos Registers as NWF Community Wildlife Habitat™
NWF News:
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) announces that the community of Los Alamos, N.M. is putting out the welcome mat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife, by recently registering its Community Wildlife Habitat™ project with NWF.
Los Alamos is sending a clear and powerful message to communities all over America that caring people, working together, can help wildlife, wild places and the health of the environment. The residents Los Alamos are making a difference in their own community and beyond.
Since 1973, NWF has provided millions of people with the basic guidelines Read More
Janet Yellen Makes History as First Female Federal Reserve Chair
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen
U.S. Senate News:
WASHINGTON–Monday, Sen. Tom Udall joined the Senate in confirming Janet Yellen to serve as Chairwoman of the Federal Reserve. He issued the following statement:
“Today’s vote was a historic moment for the Federal Reserve and for our nation. I look forward to seeing Dr. Yellen become the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve Board. As Vice Chair of the Fed, Dr. Yellen has proven herself to be a thoughtful and extremely effective leader,” Udall said. “I look forward to her experienced hand and strong voice for working families Read More
