Politics

Broad NSA Surveillance Powers, Granted In 2006, Expired At Midnight

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Sen. Rand Paul on the floor of the U.S. Senate May 31, 2015 speaking out against the Patriot Act. ScreenShot/LADP

HSNW News:

The NSA’s broad domestic surveillance authority, granted to the agency when the Patriot Act was first reauthorized in 2006, expired at midnight after the Senate failed to extend Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which governs surveillance, or approve the House’s USA Freedom Act, which modified Section 215.

The Senate did vote, 77-17, to take up the House bill Tuesday.

The failure of the Senate to do extend or modify the NSA’s surveillance power was the result of the unyielding Read More

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Fights For Border Security

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U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

ALBUQUERQUE – In order to protect the people of New Mexico, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce introduced H.R 2467 to increase border security along the southern border.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce issued this statement last week announcing the introduction of H.R. 2467, legislation that will help protect New Mexico’s local communities, secure its southern border and strengthen national security.

“It has been one year since the President misused the Antiquities Act to unilaterally seize 500,000 acres in southern New Mexico. Not only did this monument designation Read More

LAAOR President Cindy Hollabaugh Joins Thousands Of Realtors® In DC To Advance Key Housing Issues

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LAAOR President Cindy Hollabaugh
 
LAAOR News:
 
Fighting for all current and prospective American home and property owners, more than 8,500 Realtors® stormed Washington, D.C., May 11-16, to urge action on various real estate issues during the 2015 REALTOR® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.
 
President Cindy Hollabaugh of the Los Alamos Association of Realtors® (LAAOR) joined fellow Realtors® from every corner of the country to attend the meetings and visit lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Realtor® attendees, members of the National Association
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DOH And HSD Highlight Efforts To Improve Behavioral Health & Reduce Stigma Around Mental Illnesses

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DOH News:

SANTA FE ― In continuing to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) and the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) are highlighting efforts to improve mental health across the state by spreading awareness and integrating health services.

The DOH Office of School and Adolescent Health provides training and funding for 53 school-based health clinics that provide both primary and behavioral health services for students. The DOH Epidemiology and Response Division looks for indicators of mental health among

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Heinrich: USA FREEDOM Act Only Responsible Path

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, is calling for the passage of the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 to ensure the Intelligence Community has an updated legal framework to strengthen national security while also protecting the privacy rights of Americans.

The legislation will end the National Security Agency’s (NSA) bulk collection program that has allowed the government to collect billions of Americans’ private records while suspecting them of no wrongdoing. Read More

Energy Secretary Moniz Launches Key Initiatives

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DOE News:
 
MERIDA, MEXICO ― U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz launched several new initiatives with other global energy leaders at the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) and the sixth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM6) this week in Merida, Mexico.
 
These initiatives will further strengthen momentum in the Western Hemisphere and around the globe to combat climate change and accelerate clean energy technology and policies ahead of the December 2015 climate talks in Paris. At both ECPA and CEM6, energy ministers discussed technology solutions
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Udall, Heinrich Introduce Bill To Preserve And Expand Native American Languages

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced Thursday that they have introduced a bill to preserve endangered Native languages.
 
The Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act creates a new grant initiative to establish or expand Native language immersion programs. The grants will support the revitalization and maintenance of Tribal languages while increasing educational opportunities for Native American students.
 
“Native language education fosters pride and a feeling of interconnectedness
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Governor Announces Funding To Hire, Support, Retain Math And Science Teachers In Underserved Areas

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Gov. Susana Martinez

ALBUQUERQUE — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez will announce a significant increase in funding to hire, support and retain math and science teachers in low-income and rural areas in New Mexico.

The additional funds also will ensure that these teachers have the resources they need to help students succeed. 

The Governor will make the announcement during the 2015 Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Symposium this morning in Albuquerque. Read More

Heinrich Introduces Energy Storage Promotion And Deployment Act

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. introduced S. 1434, the Energy Storage Promotion and Deployment Act, to establish an energy storage portfolio standard for electric utility companies.
 
A utility may meet the standard with any combination of storage technologies and ownership, including storage located at homes or businesses. U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine is a cosponsor of the bill.
 
The bill would set national targets for energy storage in order to meet the growing demand on
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New Mexico Regulators Delay Final Ruling On PNM Plan To Continue Burning Coal

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PRC News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) announced plans to postpone a final ruling on PNM’s proposal to continue burning coal at the San Juan Generating Station until the utility is able to secure final coal supply and ownership agreements.
 
Earlier this month, PNM filed draft, non-binding contracts with the PRC that threatens to lock the utility into burning coal at the aging San Juan Generating Station for the foreseeable future. As support for the San Juan Generating Station continues to plummet, PNM is looking to fill the ownership
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