Politics

County Manager Addresses Deputy County Manager Vacancy And Upcoming Proposed FY18 Budget

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Los Alamos County Manager Harry Burgess

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Manager Harry Burgess addressed questions this week about filling the position of Deputy County Manager – a position that will be vacant once current manager Brian Bosshardt departs for a new job as City Manager in Bedford, Texas. Bosshardt’s last day with the County will be Friday, March 31.

Burgess said any hiring decision will be made with respect to his development of the proposed FY18 budget, an effort that is currently underway.

“We are working diligently on budget development for the new fiscal year right now,” Burgess Read More

Letter To The Editor: Background Checks For Gun Sales

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By ANNE MANNING
Albuquerque

 

We have a gun violence problem in New Mexico – the number of deaths and injuries at the hands of people who shouldn’t have their hands on a gun is very distressing. With lives at stake, a background check to buy a gun is not too much to ask! House Bill 50 and Senate Bill 48 would require such checks for ALL gun sales in New Mexico, and as a member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, I strongly support this bill.

 

I grew up in England and was actually a good shot with a .22 rifle. My late husband was a devoted gun owner, and there were always guns in our home. Read More

Heinrich Opposes Confirmation Of Rick Perry For Secretary Of Energy

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement opposing the confirmation of former Texas Governor Rick Perry, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Department of Energy Secretary.

“I want – and we all need – Rick Perry to be successful as our next Secretary of Energy. But his past statements on eliminating the Department, an unwillingness to commit to the applied energy research and climate science done at our national labs and universities, and the transition team questionnaire that Read More

New Mexico House Of Representatives Passes SGR’s Bill To Open Combat Roles To Women In Military Service

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Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos

STATE News:

Bill Updates Outdated Policy

SANTA FE – Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (D-Los Alamos) presented a measure Thursday that updates an outdated policy and opens combat roles to women.

HB 209 ensures women have the same opportunities as men in the military by allowing appointment or voluntary enlistment of women to any military occupational specialty or career field of the branches and services of the state’s militia consistent with current Department of Defense policy. The bill passed by a 61-6 vote.

“Women are already serving, fighting Read More

House Passes Felon In Possession Of Firearm Bill

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Rep. Nate Gentry
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― This evening the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to strengthen consequences for felons in possession of a firearm or other destructive device. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry (R-Bernalillo).
 
House Bill 52 would make the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm a third degree felony instead of the fourth degree felony it is now. Enhancing the penalty would increase the length of the sentence from 18 months in prison plus a $5,000 fine to a three year sentence with a $,5000 fine. The penalty
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Tourniquets For Law Enforcement Passes House

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Rep. Patricio Ruiloba (D-Albuquerque). Courtesy photo
 

STATE News:

 
SANTA FE ― Feb. 28, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed House Bill 9, a bill that provides law enforcement with the appropriate tools and training to apply tourniquets – a proven life saving measure.
 
Sponsored by Representative Patricio Ruiloba (D-Albuquerque), HB 9 gives first responders arriving to an emergency the knowledge necessary to properly use a tourniquet to prevent excessive blood loss, saving lives and reducing the damage that can be done by the improper use of tourniquets.
Read More

Memorial To Protect Chaco Canyon Advances

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HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― Feb. 28, a memorial introduced by Representative Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo) that reaffirms New Mexico’s commitment to protect Chaco Canyon’s tribal, cultural and historical sites unanimously passed the House State Government, Indian and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
 
HM 70 requests that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) study be completed before any new leases or exploration on the national historic park and other federal lands in Chaco Canyon are issued.
 
“This is a huge step forward for Native America and others seeking to
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Udall Statement On Confirmation Of Ryan Zinke As Secretary Of The Interior

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies and vice chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the confirmation of Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) to serve as Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Udall joined the Senate in voting 68-31 to confirm Zinke. 
 
“The Department of the Interior is an agency of enormous significance to the lives of New Mexicans,
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Education Bills For Vulnerable Students Advance

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STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Two bills designed to support New Mexico’s most vulnerable students have passed their first committees in the House.
 
House Bills 411 and 301, sponsored by Representative and Majority Floor Whip Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), support at-risk students who, due to varying circumstances, face unparalleled challenges in pursuing their academic career due to their placement in the foster care system, incarceration in the juvenile justice system, homelessness and/or mental health issues.
 
Both bills increase opportunity and security for
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Rep. Moe Maestas Loses His Cool Again, Insults Fellow Representative During House Committee

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Democratic Rep. Antonio ‘Moe’ Maestas

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Wednesday afternoon during debate in the House Appropriations Committee, Democratic Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas made a series of unprompted insults directed toward Republican Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes.

Republican Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes

Complaining that he’d received bad press for voting to kill a popular proposal to expand Baby Brianna’s law, Rep. Maestas attacked its sponsor, Rep. Maestas Barnes, for “snivelling to KRQE” about the Democrats killing the bill.

He went on Read More