Politics

AFTNM Responds To Governor’s Budget Proposals

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AFTNM News:

  • Proposed Spending Represents ‘Status Quo’ Mentality, Ignores Realities in Classrooms

ALBUQUERQUE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement in response to Gov. Susana Martinez’ budget proposals:

“Governor Martinez’s budgetary proposals are woefully out of touch with the actual needs of New Mexico’s public schools, and the students they serve, and represent a status quo approach that doubles down on pet projects while diverting much needed resources away from local school districts and New Mexico classrooms.

“We Read More

Saving 49 Cents

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Saving 49 cents with a smile, former County Councilor/former School Board member Morrie Pongratz hands in his referendum ballot directly to Deputy Clerk Jocelyn Warner saying, ‘Of course I checked the FOR box!’ Ballots must be received in the County Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26. Courtesy photo Read More

Legislative Preview Highlights Tough 30-Day Session

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Despite frigid weather, residents fill Fuller Lodge for Thursday’s annual legislative preview. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

LAHS Debate Team members Angela Feng, left, and Rory Cooley serve as timekeepers at Thursday’s event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Chamber Manager Nancy Partridge, right, listens to lawmakers discuss the 2016 legislative session. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

 

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
 

With challenges such as falling oil and gas prices and the controversy swirling around the Real ID Act, Read More

Rep. Jim Smith Pre-Files Legislation To Provide More Transparency In Campaign Finance

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Dist. 22 Rep. Jim Smith, R- Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, Rep. Jim Smith pre-filed HB 105, legislation that would update the Secretary of State’s campaign finance information system to provide more transparency and accountability in New Mexico’s campaign finance reporting.

“The current campaign finance information system is outdated which makes it difficult to track information,” Smith said. “It’s time to update the system so that the information it provides is consistent and more accessible to New Mexicans.” 

The bill would require the Read More

DHS Will Accept New Mexico Driver’s Licenses For Boarding Commercial Air Flights Until January 2018

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Senate President Pro Tem Mary K. Papen, D-38-Doña Ana, Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia and House Minority Leader Brian Egolf, D-47-Santa Fe today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to accept New Mexico driver’s licenses for boarding commercial air flights until January 2018. 

The Democratic leaders expressed outrage that Gov. Susana Martinez has engaged in partisan politics on the issue instead of finding solutions to comply with REAL ID. Over the past months, she and Republican Read More

Rep. Nate Gentry Pre-Files Measures To Honor And Protect Law Enforcement Officers

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New Mexico Dist. 30 Rep. Nate Gentry, R-Bernalillo

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Nate Gentry pre-filed legislation Thursday to increase penalties for criminals who target police officers.  

The bill, HB 95, would amend the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act to include law enforcement officers to the list of protected classes included in the Act.  

“The people who protect us need protection themselves from violent criminals who want to hurt cops,” Gentry said. “Some criminals are motivated to specifically target law enforcement.  Harming someone because of the uniform Read More

Heinrich Announces Resources To Help N.M. Ranchers Impacted By Winter Storms

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. encouraged livestock producers in New Mexico who have suffered eligible disaster-related losses from recent winter storms to apply for federal disaster assistance.
 
“Farmers and ranchers play a critical role in our state’s economy. I encourage New Mexico families who have suffered financial hardship due to the winter storms to utilize these relief programs so they can rebuild their herds and continue our rich agricultural traditions,”
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Los Alamos County Probate Judge Vacancy: Council Calls For Letters Of Interest

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Christine Chandler was appointed Los Alamos County Probate Judge in August 2013. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Councilors responded during last night’s meeting to the resignation of Probate Judge Christine Chandler.

Chandler wrote in a letter dated Dec. 30 to then-Council Chair Kristin Henderson that her resignation will be effective Feb. 20, 2016. Chandler was appointed to the position in 2013 and ran for re-election successfully in the general election in November 2014.

Chandler cited “other current and prospective commitments” in her letter Read More

Los Alamos County Council Selects Rick Reiss Chair And Susan O’Leary Vice Chair For 2016

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New Los Alamos County Council Chair Rick Reiss

Staff Report

The Los Alamos County Council this evening selected Councilor Rick Reiss to serve as its chair for 2016 and Councilor Susan O’Leary vice chair. 

Reiss was appointed by Council Sept. 6, 2012 to fill a vacant unexpired term and elected in 2014 for another term. He is a local small businessman and real estate developer.

Reiss has lived in Los Alamos since 1993. He was raised in southern New Mexico, received his Bachelors degree from New Mexico State University and is married to Deborah Reiss. They have two grown children, Rikki Read More