Nation

National Small Business Week May 4-8

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IRS News:

PHOENIX — The Internal Revenue Service is marking National Small Business Week, May 4-8, by featuring some of its most popular educational products for small business owners and self-employed individuals.

The products include webinars and videos on the IRS video portal at www.irsvideos.gov. Check out the special tab for Small Business Week to find a selection of webinars on topics viewed by thousands including:

  • Business Use of Your Home

Find out what kinds of deductions are allowable for a home office and what’s not. Learn about a simplified method for figuring the home office Read More

A Look On The Brighter Side Of Global Warming

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Scientist Chick Keller speaks at a symposium on climate change held at St. John’s College in Santa Fe. Photo by Roger Snodgrass
 
Audience members listen to speakers at the symposium on climate change. Photo by Roger Snodgrass
 
By ROGER SNODGRASS

The threat of catastrophic global warming is still very much upon us, but according to some knowledgeable speakers on the eve of Earth Day 2015, there are a few new grounds for encouragement despite the prevailing gloom.

“I don’t think there is any serious debate about the science anymore,” said former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat Read More

Luján Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

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Courtesy/hqmc.marines.mil

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which is celebrated in May.

“For generations, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have forged a proud legacy through enduring contributions to our nation. From the immigrants who came through Angel and Ellis Islands to those who continue to immigrate here today, this community has persevered in pursuit of the American Dream.

“The Asian Pacific American community is an invaluable part Read More

Los Alamos Makes ‘10 Most Livable Neighborhoods’ List

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Ashley Pond in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Jebb Harris/The Orange County Register

AARP News: 

Los Alamos shares the spotlight alongside many big-name cities as one of the top “10 Most Livable Neighborhoods in the United States,” according to results from a new study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

The list is based on AARP’s Livability Index, which ranks cities and towns in several categories: housing; neighborhood; transportation; environment; healthcare; engagement and opportunity.  

“Los Alamos is a great town not only for a person looking Read More

Heinrich: Kids To Parks Day Kicks Off May 16

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • Resolution Kicks Off Summer Events To Encourage Children To Live Active Lifestyles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., the ranking member on the Subcommittee on National Parks, joined U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii and Cory Booker, D-N.J. to promote active lifestyles for America’s children by introducing a resolution to mark Kids to Parks Day.

Started in 2011 with the National Park Trust, the fifth annual Kids to Parks Day May 16, off a summer-long series of events at local, state and national Read More

Penalty Relief For Some Small Retirement Plan Returns

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IRS News:

PHOENIX ― With Small Business Week May 4-8 just around the corner, the Internal Revenue Service reminds small businesses that have failed to timely file certain required retirement plan returns that they have until Tuesday, June 2 to take advantage of a special penalty relief program.

Launched June 2, 2014, the one-year temporary pilot program is designed to help small businesses with retirement plans that may have been unaware of the reporting requirements that apply to these plans. Normally, the plan administrators and sponsors of these plans who fail to file Read More

Udall And Heinrich Issue Statements On Proposed Interim Nuclear Waste Facility In New Mexico

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich issued the following statements on the proposal for New Mexico to become an interim storage site for high-level nuclear waste:

“I don’t think we should be talking about this at all while the state and the Department of Energy are still addressing the serious accident and radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. I have helped secure hundreds of millions in vital funding for WIPP for many years, and my focus now is ensuring WIPP can reopen safely and the workers are protected,” said Read More

Rep. Ben Ray Luján Cosponsors Raise The Wage Act

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District announced Thursday that he is cosponsoring legislation to raise the minimum wage and put more money in the pocket of New Mexicans. 

The Raise the Wage Act would increase the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 by 2020.

“New Mexico’s workers want to receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. They want to work hard so they can send their children to college and save for a dignified retirement,” Luján said. “Yet at today’s minimum wage, many full-time workers and their Read More

Governor And DOE Secretary Announce WIPP Settlement

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WIPP News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz released the terms Thursday of a $73 million settlement of the State’s claims against the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors related to the February 2014 incidents at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, including the associated activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

“The Department of Energy and the State of New Mexico have worked together to identify projects at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and the Los Alamos National Laboratory that are mutually beneficial and Read More

Udall On DOE Settlement For WIPP Radiation Release

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a statement released Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed the $73 million settlement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the state of New Mexico.

Investigations by DOE and the state have found that numerous violations at Los Alamos National Laboratory led to the radiation release at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) that put at risk the health of workers and the nearby community.

Udall statement:

“New Mexicans are rightly disturbed by the violations at Los Alamos and WIPP, which led to the radiation release and put Read More