Politics

Study: Noncompliance Hobbles Comprehensive Background Check Policy For Private Gun Sales

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Courtesy/gunlocker.com

HSNW News:

Of the three states that recently expanded comprehensive background check (CBC) policies to include all gun transfers, including those among private parties, only Delaware showed an overall increase in firearm background checks. Washington and Colorado had no changes, which the study authors say suggests that compliance and enforcement were incomplete.

The study, which posted online in Injury Prevention, is believed to be the first to assess the association between CBC policy enactment and changes in background-check rates. It was conducted Read More

Senate Budget Plan Allows For $1.5 Trillion Added To National Debt

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Maya MacGuineas, president
Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
 
CRFB News:
 
The Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2018 budget Oct. 19 containing reconciliation instructions for tax reform. The following is a statement from Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget:
 
There was a time not long ago when many Congressional Republicans demanded a budget that balanced within 10 years.
 
Today, with their vote, the Senate GOP has turned away from this goal, sprinting in the other direction and instead approving a plan that allows
Read More

Los Alamos County Council Meets Tuesday

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COUNTY News: 
 
The Los Alamos County Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. 
 
The meeting is open to the public. 
 
Agenda: 
 
1. OPENING/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
  • A. Proclamation celebrating Oct. 25 as “Atomic City Transit Day” in Los Alamos County (accepted by employees of Atomic City Transit) Presenters: County Council 
6. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON CONSENT
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Heinrich Warns Of Public Health Crisis In Puerto Rico, Urges Health Department To Take Action

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide additional resources and better coordinate efforts on the ground in the face of a growing public health crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria to ensure the more than 3.5 million American citizens living there can safely access the quality health care they need. 
 
Heinrich joined U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
Read More

Sheriff Lucero Seeks To File Amended Complaint Against Los Alamos County Council

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Staff Report

 

Attorney A. Blair Dunn has asked the First Judicial District Court for permission to file an amended complaint against the Los Alamos County Council on behalf of Sheriff Marco Lucero.

The original complaint was filed Aug. 29 as an emergency petition for writ of mandamus and complaint for declaratory judgment.

The motion to amend the complaint, filed Oct. 11, states that Dunn “consulted in good faith” with the Council’s counsel regarding the proposed amendment, which he claims seeks to rectify potential errors raised by the Council in its answer to Lucero’s original complaint. Read More

NNSA: Production Of W76-1/Mk4A Arming Fuzing Subsystem Completed On Time And Budget

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NNSA News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has completed production of the U.S. Navy-sponsored Arming Fuzing Subsystem in support of the W76-1/Mk4A Life Extension Program (LEP) on time and on budget.
 
The subsystem is a key component of the W76-1 LEP that will extend the original warhead service life from 20 to 60 years.
 
“Completing this subsystem is a major achievement for NNSA and the many gifted engineers, scientists and technicians dedicated to serving our vital national security mission
Read More

Legislative Interim Committee Meetings: Oct. 23-27

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – The following legislative interim committees are scheduled to meet the week of Oct. 23 through Oct. 27:

  • Oct. 23 @ 1 p.m. – Legislative Council (LC), State Capitol, Room 307, Santa Fe
    • Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes; Interim Committee Business; Staff Reports
  • Oct. 24-27 @ 8:30 a.m. – Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) State Capitol, Room 307, Santa Fe
    • Agenda Items: Program Evaluation: Cost drivers in Higher Education and Efforts to Improve Efficiency and Reduce Duplication; Department of Health (665): Preview of FY19 Appropriation Request; New Mexico Corrections
Read More

New Mexico House Republicans To Jeff Bezos: We Stand Ready To Partner With Amazon!

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Minority Floor Leader Nate Gentry

NM HOUSE GOP News:

SANTA FE – Nineteen New Mexico House Republican representatives sent a letter today to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to promote Albuquerque’s bid to host Amazon’s new North American headquarters.

In their letter, the representatives cited New Mexico’s location, cultural and recreational opportunities, and the presence of two national laboratories as key assets. They also pledged their willingness to work on business-friendly policies, including tax reform, as well as continued support for important state incentive programs such as the Local Read More

PED Tweaks Proposed Science Education Standards

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Public Education Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski addresses the crowd during a reception Oct. 10 at the LAPS School Board Meeting Room. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
 
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) appeared to backpedal Tuesday on proposed changes to the New Mexico Science Education Standards, which are at odds with the Next Generation Science Standards developed by a consortium of states and the National Academy of Sciences.

New Mexico would be the 19th state to adopt the Standards. Read More

New Mexico Democrats Recommend National Labs To Help Rebuild Puerto Rico

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CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Ben Ray Luján, joined by Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, sent a letter today urging the Administration to utilize programs run by national labs in New Mexico to help with the reconstruction of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure.

The members of the New Mexico delegation are asking the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to leverage the unique expertise and resources at the labs, including Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, to help Puerto Rico rebuild.

“The scale of the devastation in Puerto Rico Read More