Politics

NMED To Sue U.S. EPA For Massive Waste Spill

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NMED Cabinet Secretary Ryan Flynn

NMED News:

 SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department has announced its intention to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—along with the State of Colorado and the owners of the Gold King and Sunnyside Mines—to address the environmental impacts resulting from the 2015 massive waste spill in the Animas River that EPA officials admitted to causing.

 In August of last year, the EPA caused a release of three million gallons of toxic mine waste into the Animas and San Juan Rivers, depositing toxins on the riverbed, agricultural lands, Read More

Heinrich Statement On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. Courtesy/wikipedia

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is celebrated today.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sacrifice in pursuit of civil rights and equality continues to resonate throughout New Mexico and across our nation. Martin Luther King Day brings us together to reflect upon his legacy and heed his enduring call to service.

“As our communities continue to experience persistent poverty, violence, and discrimination, we Read More

Rep. Steinborn Introduces Lobbyist Disclosure Bills

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Jeff Steinborn has introduced three pieces of legislation to require full disclosure of all lobbying spending in the state, specific bills and administrative issues lobbyists are hired to work on, and the names of legislators that have been given gifts and meals by them.

“With the role of money in politics, it’s more important than ever that New Mexicans are able to see how much money special interests are spending to influence policy. Current law shields lobbyists’employers from having to report huge amounts of money being spent

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Udall Nominates Two Los Alamos Students To United States Service Academies

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EDUCATION News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced that 36 New Mexico students have received his nomination to attend a United States service academy, including two Los Alamos students, Isaac Dunwoody and Seung Heon (Victor) Kim and three others from Northern New Mexico.
 
A congressional, vice-presidential, or service-connected nomination is required for admission to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
 
Students receiving Udall’s nomination
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New Mexico Driver’s Licenses Rejected At Fort Bliss

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas announced Wednesday it will join the list of federal facilities that no longer accept New Mexico driver’s licenses.

Fort Bliss stated it took the action because driver’s licenses from New Mexico as well as Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Washington state do not comply with the federal ID act.

Alternate forms of ID accepted at Fort Bliss include a U.S. passport or passport card; permanent resident alien card; foreign passports that meet the requirements; employment documents that contain a photograph; driver’s licenses or IDs that Read More

Maestas Barnes Pre-Files Appropriations Requests To Address Rape Kit Back-log

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Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes, R-Bernalillo pre-filed two appropriations requests to help bring rapists to justice and provide services to victims of sexual assault. 
 
Maestas Barnes has requested a $1.2 million appropriation, HB 130, to allow the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to hire additional full-time staff to work on the back-log of untested rape kits in New Mexico. 
 
According to DPS, there are more than 5,000 rape-kits in New Mexico that have not been processed. Some of these
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Clahchischilliage Pre-Files Legislation To Protect Children From Dangerous Predators

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STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage, R-San Juan, pre-filed legislation to protect children from sexual predators who use their position of authority to prey on their victims. 
 
Under current law, acts of criminal sexual penetration committed by certain persons of authority, such as school employees or school volunteers, on children between the ages of 13 and 18 could be considered fourth-degree felonies. 
 
The bill, HB 121, would set the minimum penalty at a third-degree felony for all individuals who use their position of authority
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SFNF Waives Fees For Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

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SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― The Santa Fe National Forest will waive fees at many day-use recreation sites and amenities Monday, Jan. 18, to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Fees will be waived at Santa Fe National Forest sites that normally charge a day-use fee and campgrounds that are not on the National Recreation Reservation System. 
 
Since many recreation sites on the Santa Fe National Forest are closed for the winter, visitors are encouraged to contact the appropriate Ranger District Office to determine which
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Udall, Heinrich Urge Executive Action To Limit Anonymous Campaign Contributions

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Last week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined 27 other senators to urge the president to limit anonymous political spending in elections by requiring new transparency for previously secret campaign contributions.
 
The senators are pushing the administration to require federal contractors to disclose political spending before submitting bids for government work. The administration released a draft plan to do so five years ago, but has not finalized it.
 
The senators made
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Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker: ‘Doomed To Cooperate’ Jan. 23

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Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker, Stanford University
 
COMMUNITY News:

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker will present a Los Alamos public lecture about how American and Russian Nuclear scientists joined forces to mitigate some of the greatest post-Cold War Dangers.

The free lecture is 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1967 18th St.

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker will discuss how nuclear risks changed dramatically when the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991. Suddenly the world was threatened more by Russia’s weakness than its strength.

Never before had a

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