Politics

State Auditor Tim Keller Releases Transparency Report On New Mexico Tax Policy Choices

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State Auditor Tim Keller
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Today, State Auditor Tim Keller released a report shining a light on New Mexico’s tax policy choices.
 
The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) tallied more than $1 billion in tax breaks, with helpful collaboration from the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD). The OSA report contains a broader array of tax breaks than what is included in the annual TRD tax expenditure report.
 
“Last year, we gave over $1 billion in tax revenue to different types of tax breaks with little reporting to determine whether they are
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Governor Orders Flags Half-Staff To Honor Domenici

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Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has issued an executive order for flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise today to sunset Saturday in honor and mourning of former U.S. Sen. Pete V. Domenici.

The text of the executive order is below:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2017-018 FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF IN HONOR AND MOURNING OF SENATOR PETE V. DOMENICI

WHEREAS, Senator Pete V. Domenici, who honorably served the State of New Mexico, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2017;

WHEREAS, Senator Domenici dedicated his entire career to putting New Mexico first;

WHEREAS, Senator Domenici Read More

Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero Endorses Jeff Apodaca For Governor Of New Mexico

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By Sheriff Marco V. Lucero
Los Alamos County
 

As the Sheriff of Los Alamos County, I would like to express my strong support of Jeff Apodaca in his bid to be the next Governor of New Mexico.  

 
I grew up with Jeff and have known him, his values, and his character since we were 12 years old. Together we attended junior high through our college days at the University of New Mexico. Jeff was presented with some very difficult circumstances while he was young, and his unwavering faith and strength helped him overcome cancer. This is a true testament to his character.
 
Mr. Apodaca’s
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House Natural Resources Committee Passed Sportsmen’s Package

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Congressman Steve Pearce
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The House Natural Resources Subcommittee passed H.R. 3668, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, or SHARE Act.
 
“The tradition and culture of hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting is under attack all across the West. Here in New Mexico, we are all too familiar with the impacts of decreased access and overly burdensome regulations on federal lands. It is vital to protect the lifestyle and rights of sportsmen and women,” Rep. Pearce said. “The rich culture and
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Office Of Justice Programs Awards More Than $28.3 Million To National Center For Missing And Exploited Children

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OJP News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announced the award of more than $28.3 million in funding to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to support efforts to prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation.
 
OJJDP has partnered with NCMEC for more than 30 years to respond to incidents of child abductions and to bring children home safely. The Center was created to build a coordinated national response to missing and sexually exploited children, establish a missing
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Luján Amendment Providing $2 Million For Peer Support Programs Included In 2018 Federal Spending Bill

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Congressman Ben Ray Luján
 
CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ―  An amendment authored by Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) providing funding for Peer Support programs was approved for inclusion in the 2018 federal spending bill.
 
The amendment provides $2 million in dedicated funding for Peer Support Paraprofessionals as part of the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (B-HWET). The BHWET Program helps create greater access to behavioral health services by establishing partnerships with community organizations.
 
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Udall Proposes Amendments To Benefit New Mexico & Nation In Major Defense Bill

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

  • Measures would strengthen mission & safety of NM’s labs, help military families, and modernize government IT systems & save taxpayers money

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced that he is proposing several amendments to a major defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to benefit New Mexico’s national labs and military families, modernize outdated and wasteful government IT systems and save taxpayers money.

The bill, which sets defense policy for the nation, is being debated Read More

Council Corner: The ‘Why’ Of Code Enforcement

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By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ
Los Alamos

Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on code enforcement

Recently, I have read many negative comments on social media and, more recently, letters to the editor regarding the County’s stepped-up Code Enforcement activities. I would like to step back from the fray for a minute to share with you some context relevant to this discussion. I ask you to keep reading with an open mind so that we can have civil dialogue about what the Council can do without completely “pulling the plug” on the program because of personal frustration, suspicion of County staff, or Read More

Pete Domenici Has Died

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Staff Report

Former New Mexico U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici died this morning at the age of 85 at University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. He had recently undergone abdominal surgery and had been in intensive care.

Domenici represented New Mexico in the United States Senate from 1972 until 2008, making him the longest serving U.S. Senator from New Mexico. During his career, Domenici who was a Republican, rose in the ranks of the Senate to eventually serve as chairman or ranking minority member of the budget committee, depending on which party controlled the Senate.

He also rose to be the Republican Read More

Heinrich Backs Medicare For All

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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 on cosponsoring U.S Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) Medicare for All bill:
 
“America is the wealthiest country on Earth, yet despite our health care progress in recent years, we still spend far too much of our GDP on health care and some New Mexicans still find themselves without any coverage at all.
 
“It is time to recognize that health care is a human right and I believe that the best way to make that a reality
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