State, Nation & World - Los Alamos Daily Post

State Transportation Commission to Meet in Deming

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 11, 2013

NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – The State Transportation Commission will meet Thursday, April 18 in Deming.

The meeting is 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Deming Conference Center, 119 East Pine Street.

The STC determines all matters of policy for the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

The purpose of these meetings, which are held monthly at different locations around the state, is to update the Commission on NMDOT’s activities and to determine how the two groups can enhance New Mexico’s transportation system.

Action items on the agenda include:

Approval of $50 Million Rolling Taxable Revolving

‘Safe Chemical Act’ to Protect Americans Reintroduced

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 11, 2013

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), the leader in Congress on reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), today reintroduced his “Safe Chemicals Act” to protect Americans from dangerous toxic chemicals that are found in everyday consumer products.

Lautenberg has been working since 2005 to reform TSCA and provide the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to protect Americans from harmful chemicals.

Testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found

Udall Statement on President’s Budget Request

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 11, 2013

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement on President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal:

“The president’s budget request is overall positive news for New Mexico. It replaces harmful sequester cuts with a more balanced approach and calls for investments in Pre-K and manufacturing to help bolster the middle class. He is also recommending funding increases for New Mexico’s labs, military installations and to reduce the backlog

MISSing Angels Bill Signed: Momentous Day for Grieving New Mexico Families

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 10, 2013

SANTA FE—New Mexico joins 33 other states in changing the way stillbirths are treated. Gov. Susanna Martinez signed HB658 into law April 4, 2013.

The MISSing Angels Bill, as it has commonly been known in other states, establishes a Certificate of Still Birth to be issued by the Bureau of Vital Records to families upon request after a baby is stillborn.

Unlike other states, New Mexico’s bill also changes the reporting requirement to follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control.

Since 1980, New Mexico has been reporting fetal deaths at 500 grams. The new reporting requirement Read More

New Mexico Consortium Launches Volunteer Program

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 10, 2013

NMC News:

Volunteer recruitment open houses and information sessions are scheduled for later this month

The New Mexico Consortium (NMC) invites community members who are interested in volunteering to attend one of the upcoming open houses and information sessions.

Dates are scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2-2:30 p.m., and Tuesday, April 23, 5:30-6:00 p.m., at the NMC offices at Los Alamos’s Research Park, 4200 West Jemez Road, suite 301.

The NMC engages volunteers and interns in its research programs in positions ranging from administration to technicians to researchers.

Volunteers Read More

2013: Equal Pay Remains Unequal

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 9, 2013

Staff report

Today is Equal Pay Day – a day held annually in April to signify the point into a year that a woman must work to earn what a man made the previous year.

Census statistics released in September, 2010 show that women still earn 77 percent of what men earn, based on the median earnings of full-time, year-round workers in 2009.

An alternative to the wage gap, which is measuring the ratio between women’s and men’s median weekly earnings for full-time workers was 80.2 percent in 2009, which is flat since the historical high of 81.0 percent in 2005.

Median earnings for most women of color Read More

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Dies at 87

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 8, 2013

WHITE HOUSE News:

Statement from President Obama on the death of Britain’s former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher:

With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend.

As a grocer’s daughter who rose to become Britain’s first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered.

As prime minister, she helped restore the confidence and pride that has always been the hallmark of Britain at its best.

And as an unapologetic supporter Read More

FBI Honors New Mexico Human Rights Projects

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 8, 2013

Executive Director Regina Turner accepts the award on behalf of New Mexico Human Rights Projects from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III. Courtesy/FBI

FBI News:

In a ceremony at FBI Headquarters, Director Robert S. Mueller, III recognized the recipients of the 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award.

These leaders, selected by their area FBI field office, have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their local communities through service.

The Albuquerque Division of the FBI honored New Mexico Human Rights Projects (NMHRP), a nonprofit organization that provides hands-on Read More

Udall Welcomes FAA Decision to Delay Tower Closures

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 7, 2013

The control tower at the Double Eagle II airport in Albuquerque. Courtesy/DAAPII

U.S. SENATE News:

Udall Will Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Block Closures For Next Two Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Friday U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to delay air traffic control tower closures, including those in New Mexico.

He also announced support of a bipartisan bill to halt the closures for the next two years.

Last month, the FAA announced it would end funding for 149 air traffic control towers as a result of sequestration.