House Clears Free Elk Licenses to Disabled Vets
HB 272 will allow disabled New Mexico veterans to receive free elk hunting licenses. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE – House Bill 272 passed the New Mexico House of Representatives Thursday with a vote of 65 to 0.
HB 272 was introduced by Rep. Phillip Archuleta (D-Dona Ana-36) to help disabled New Mexico veterans get free elk hunting licenses.
Archuleta recognizes veterans’ commitment and service to New Mexico and the United States and wants to show them thanks.
This program would be monitored by the Game and Fish Department to make sure licenses are given out in a fair manner.
HB 272 provides Read More
Fireworks Restrictions Bill Clears Committee
Two ignited pinwheels consisting of a powder-filled spiral tube mounted with a pin through its center that rotates quickly, producing a display of sparks and colored flame when ignited. Courtesy/Wikipedia
STATE News:
SANTA FE – By a vote of 6-5, House Bill 373 “Local Governments Fireworks Restrictions” has passed the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
HB 373 sponsored by Rep. Emily Kane (D-Bernalilllo-15), changes the standard for local government fireworks restrictions – it is not based on drought conditions only.
The bill also authorizes the Forestry Division of Energy, Read More
Meteorite Over Russia May Reap Benefit for Impoverished Residents
The spectacular meteorite that exploded in a fireball over Russia’s Ural Mountains and sent shock waves through the city of Chelyabinsk Friday may have been a blessing in disguise for its impoverished residents. When the meteorite exploded, it showered the city with thousands of tiny black stones that may be worth more than their weight in gold. See more at https:////bennettsfinejewelry.tumblr.com/ Read More
Public Comments Sought on STIP
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The public is invited to comment on the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s (NMDOT) seventh amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP.)
The program will serve as a four year plan for the state’s federal aid highway program. The NMDOT has posted the 2012-2015 STIP amendment online asking for public comment until March 20.
In addition, the NMDOT will be soliciting final public comment in conjunction with the State Transportation Commission meeting in Albuquerque Thursday, March 21.
The STIP contains proposed road and bridge Read More
Computer Modeling Reveals How Surprisingly Potent Hepatitis C Drug Works
LANL News:
A study by researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and a multinational team reveals how daclatasvir, a direct-acting antiviral agent in development for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), targets one of its proteins and causes the fastest viral decline ever seen with anti-HCV drugs – within 12 hours of treatment.
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus affects about 150 million people worldwide. It is the leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver transplants and results in some 350,000 deaths worldwide every year.
The team’s work reveals that daclatasvir Read More
Astronomer Speaks on Eclipse Experiences
Photos of the Nov. 14, 2012 eclipse taken from onboard a ship on the Coral Sea. Photos by Steve BeckerPEEC News:
Local astronomer Stephen Becker will share his eclipse experiences through photos and video, with a special focus on the total solar eclipse of November 2012 at a talk from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), 3540 Orange St. in Los Alamos.
Nov. 13-14, 2012 the sun, moon and earth were aligned to allow the sun to be blocked along a narrow path that intersected a little bit of northern Australia and a long stretch of the southern Pacific Ocean. Read More
HB 579 Restricts Animal Traps and Poisons
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Rep. Bobby Gonzales (D-Taos-42) has introduced House Bill 579, the “New Mexico Wildlife Protection and Public Safety Act,” which would restrict the use of traps and poisons across New Mexico.
Gonzales said he believes reform of New Mexico’s wildlife management policies is key to making New Mexico competitive for tourist dollars.
“While we struggle with enhancing New Mexico’s economic development, it’s to our advantage to make our fabulous outdoor recreational destinations safe and enjoyable for our residents, for tourists and visitors. Having anyone Read More
Climate Change Presentation at Hive Thursday
HIVE News:
Scientist Dr. Liviu Popa-Simil will give a presentation on the ramifications of climate change titled “The Challenges of the Future – A Fork in the Road” based on his book of the same name.
The talk is part of the Hive Brown-bag Lunch Series that starts at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Hive, 134 N.M. 4 in White Rock.
Dr. Popa-Simil’s presentation will begin at noon. The meeting is open to the public at no charge.
This is not a “doom and gloom” scenario and is based on data derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which Popa-Simil Read More
State Transportation Commission Meeting in Albuquerque
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The governor-appointed commission that determines policy for the New Mexico Department of Transportation will meet Feb. 21 in Albuquerque.
The six member State Transportation Commission meets monthly to get updates from the NMDOT on its activities and how the commission and the department can enhance the state’s transportation system.
The public meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at The Mid-Region Council of Governments building at 809 Copper Avenue, NW.
Items on the agenda include:
- Presentations by Bernalillo County officials concerning transportation needs
State House Highlights: Feb. 9-15
STATE News:
On the Floor
- House Joint Memorial 19, sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey (D-Bernalillo-18), went to the House floor for a final vote today. HJM 19, the “J. Paul Taylor Early Childhood Task Force,” honors former Rep. J. Paul Taylor of District 33. The memorial creates a task force to improve collaboration among early childhood development stakeholders, aiming to prevent child abuse and help invisible, unserved, and underserved at-risk infants and children. The joint memorial passed by a vote of 37-23.
- House Joint Memorial 24 as amended by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee
