Nation

Heinrich Cosponsors Women’s Health Protection Act

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is cosponsoring the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill to make it illegal for states to chip away at women’s reproductive rights.

The legislation would protect a woman’s right and ability to determine whether and when to bear a child by limiting restrictions on the provision of abortion services – such as those in place in states including Texas and Wisconsin. The bill’s introduction comes as the country marks the 42nd anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Read More

IRS Launches 2015 Tax Season

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IRS News:

PHOENIX – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced Tuesday’s on-time opening of the nation’s 2015 filing season and highlighted a growing array of online services.

Some online services include features that help taxpayers understand how the Affordable Care Act will affect them at tax time, along with the availability of the Free File program. Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, to file their 2014 tax returns and pay any tax due.

The IRS expects to receive about 150 million individual income tax returns this year. Like each of the past three years, more than Read More

Time To Reach Across Aisle And Talk About Science

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By CHRISTINE MCENTEE
AGU Executive Director/CEO

  • American Geophysical Union Applauds President Obama’s Acknowledgement of the Role Science Plays in America’s Economy; Calls for Bipartisan Funding Support from Congress

As President Obama said in his State of the Union address tonight, you don’t have to be a scientist to understand why science matters. You also don’t have to be a scientist to understand why bipartisan support for research funding should be a no-brainer.

Issues such as energy innovation and the impacts of our changing climate aren’t limited to red states or blue states. And Read More

Valles Caldera Preserve Becomes New Unit Of NPS

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NPS News:

DENVER — On Dec. 19, 2014, Congress designated the Valles Caldera National Preserve a unit of the national park system. Another six new national park units were also authorized recently by Congress. When fully implemented, these will bring the total number of National Park Service (NPS) units to 408.

Located in the Jemez Mountains of north central New Mexico, the 89,000-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of three super volcanoes in the United States and is known for its rich geologic and cultural history, scenic beauty and abundant wildlife. The Valles Caldera National Read More

White House Teams With YouTube For Tonight’s State Of The Union Address

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President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2014. Official White House photo by Amanda Lucidon

WHITE HOUSE News:

President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union 2015 at 9 p.m. today. Here’s everything you need to know:

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Heinrich Applauds President’s Actions To Expand Paid Sick And Family Leave For Workers

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement Wednesday after President Obama announced a plan to expand paid sick and family leave for working families.

In New Mexico, there are an estimated 270,000 workers currently without paid sick leave.

“The fact that we are the only developed country in the world that does not offer paid maternity leave is unacceptable. We shouldn’t force working moms and dads to choose between a paycheck and caring for a newborn. Workplace flexibility and practices Read More

Luján On Life And Legacy Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1964. Courtesy/wikipedia

 

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

 

SANTA FE – Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

 

“Today we honor a man whose message of equality and nonviolence propelled a movement that changed our nation, and whose message we must continue to heed. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of a Beloved Community – a community that is founded on love, respect, and hope; a community that rejects darkness and discrimination, hate and racism, Read More

Martin Luther King, Jr. Had A Dream

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A quarter million people gathered Aug. 28, 1963 in Washington, D.C. to support civil rights. Courtesy/history.com

STAFF REPORT

Today is the federal holiday marking  the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King’s birthday, Jan. 15.

King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President

Read More

WIPP Hosts Stakeholder Workshop

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Nuclear Waste Partnership Deputy Recovery Manger Tammy Reynolds answers a question during Wednesday’s workshop. Courtesy/WIPP

From left, New Mexico State Representatives Cathrynn Brown and Jim Townsend, CBFO Manager Joe Franco and State Sen. Carroll Leavell take the first trip on the waste hoist following its return to full operations. Courtesy/WIPP

WIPP News:

DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) hosted a stakeholder workshop Wednesday to discuss details of the WIPP Recovery Plan Project Management Baseline.

The baseline was conditionally approved by CBFO in late December, Read More

Udall Speaks Against Congress Mandating Approval Of Keystone Pipeline

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Congress should focus on broad energy policy that includes renewables, rather than a pipeline for a private foreign corporation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall delivered a speech Friday on the Senate floor against a bill to mandate approval of the Keystone pipeline. Udall said that Congress should not intervene in approving a pipeline for a foreign corporation.

“We are being asked to do something that I believe is unprecedented,” he said in his remarks, “for Congress to step in and promote a bill for one private sector energy project, and to wave Read More