Nation

Udall Statement on President’s Budget Request

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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
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2013: Equal Pay Remains Unequal

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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

FBI Honors New Mexico Human Rights Projects

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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

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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.
 
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Senators Want Expanded Mental Health Services for Students

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U.S. SENATE News:

Sen. Tom Udall

WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are spearheading an effort with 16 of their colleagues to expand comprehensive school-based mental health services for children.

The Mental Health in Schools Act would authorize funding for grants to schools and other mental health centers to partner with community-based organizations to expand access to services for students.

“Removing the stigma around mental illness and making treatment available at early ages is critical to raising a stable and productive society,” Udall said. Read More

State of the Preserve Report Published

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Courtesy/VCNP

Courtesy/VCNP

VCNP News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS—The Valles Caldera Trust 2012 State of the Preserve Report details the journey of an overused, exhausted landscape to its improved condition and provides a peek at the road ahead.

The report, released Thursday, is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures unique to the trust, and provides baseline data, which aids the strategic management of the preserve.

However, the report also points out that some of the resources Congress believed would contribute to financial self-sufficiency were either overestimated Read More

First Female Selected to Lead U.S. Secret Service

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SECRET SERVICE News:

U.S. Secret Service Director Julia Pierson

Julia Pierson was sworn in as U.S. Secret Service Director Wednesday, March 27, in a ceremony in the Oval Office.

President Obama watched as Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath to the highly respected veteran of the Secret Service and praised her dedication, professionalism and commitment to her work:

“I have to say that Julia’s reputation within the Service is extraordinary,” President Obama said following the ceremony. “She’s come up through the ranks. She’s done just about every job there Read More

UPS Agrees to Forfeit $40 Million

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DEA News:

DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart

SAN FRANCISCO – The Drug Enforcement Administration today announced that United Parcel Service, Inc. (“UPS”) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California (“USAO-NDCA”) entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement (“NPA”) today in which UPS agreed to forfeit $40 million in payments it has received from illicit online pharmacies and to implement a compliance program designed to ensure that illegal online pharmacies will not be able to use UPS’s services to distribute drugs.

UPS has cooperated fully with the Read More

Signed! Río Grande del Norte a National Monument

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New Mexico’s Río Grande del Norte. Photo by Bob Wick/BLM
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON – From the Oval Office to Taos, New Mexicans and members of the Congressional Delegation celebrated Monday the Río Grande del Norte National Monument Proclamation that was signed by President Barack Obama.
 
The national monument designation is widely welcome by Taos and Rio Arriba county residents. A recent study shows the national monument will support hundreds of jobs and bring millions of tourism dollars to the area.
 
Retired U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Sen. Martin
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