Politics

Gov. Susana Martinez Announces 2015 New Mexico True Summer Reading Challenge

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Gov. Susana Martinez
 
STATE News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE — Gov. Susana Martinez announced Wednesday details about the 2015 New Mexico True Summer Reading Challenge, designed to help prevent students from losing reading proficiency during the summer.
 
“Our challenge is simple: read more books during your summer vacation, and you can earn some amazing prizes,” Martinez said. “When our students read over the summer, they are better prepared for the upcoming school year. Everyone loves a challenge, especially when there are prizes. This is a win-win for students, parents,
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State Environment Secretary Discusses $73 Million WIPP Settlement With DOE

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NMED Secretary Ryan Flynn

 

By ROGER SNODGRASS
Los Alamos Daily Post

“Liability was a major issue,” said New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Secretary Ryan Flynn during a telephone interview Tuesday, discussing the state’s $73 million settlement on April 30 of claims for violations and liabilities related to a major contamination accident at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad in southern New Mexico. “We felt strongly that the weight of the evidence on our side was so overwhelming, we were able to get past that issue early on,” he said.

The WIPP facility has been closed Read More

Los Alamos Federated Republican Women Meet May 14

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LAFRW News:
 
The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women will hold its regular monthly meeting at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at ZIA Realty Group’s Conference Room (upstairs) and then move to the Municipal Building for a tour of the County Council Chambers and an opportunity to speak with Republican County Councilors. 
 
All registered Republican Women are invited to attend. 
 
Members are reminded to bring non-perishable food items and toiletries for the Esperanza Shelter in Santa Fe, a shelter for abused women and children that
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Udall, Heinrich Unveil Renewable Electricity Standard

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich introduced a bill to create jobs, save consumers money and reduce pollution by creating a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES).
 
The legislation, which would help the United States diversify its energy sources while establishing our leadership in clean energy production, would require utilities to generate 30 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
 
The bill would create the first national threshold for utilities to provide a certain
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Attorney General Balderas Announces First Meeting As Chair Of New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board; Sets Priorities

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Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
LEA News:
 
ESPANOLA ― Attorney General Hector Balderas commented on chairing the upcoming meeting of the Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) Board:
 
“As New Mexico’s chief law enforcement officer, I am acutely aware of the solemn duties and responsibilities that fall to me as the chair of the Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) board when I raise the gavel for my first meeting with the board in Española.
 
“I intend to be a thoughtful and active chair and expect that this will be among the most aggressive and active boards in the country. We are
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House Democrats Push For Better Behavioral Healthcare

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Members of the Legislative Finance Committee at Tuesday’s Behavioral Health presentation in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo

Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard discusses New Mexico’s behavioral health crisis at Tuesday’s meeting. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

  • Serious Questions Arise At Legislative Finance Committee Behavioral Health Presentation

SANTA FE – New Mexico House Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe) raised some serious concerns over New Mexico’s behavioral health system at Tuesday’s Legislative Finance Committee Read More

Udall Bill To Help Veterans Through Claims Process

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall this week joined several senators to introduce a bill to help improve the quality and consistency of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims appeals and help address the VA’s oldest pending claims.
 
Specifically, the bill would improve and expand pro bono legal services for veterans during their appeals process, and provide the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with additional authority to expedite consideration of unreasonably delayed claims.  
 
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Bill Introduced For Tech-Transfer Maturation Program

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Michael Bennet, D-Colo. introduced legislation to launch a new National Laboratory Technology Maturation Program (NLTMP) at DOE to facilitate successful commercialization of laboratory-developed technologies and boost regional, technology-driven economic impacts.

The bill, S.1259, the National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act, will be considered June 4 during a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Under the National Laboratory Technology Maturation Program, Read More

Observations Of A Fly On The Wall At The Merry Roundhouse

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By ROBERT GIBSON
Los Alamos

I served many of my eight years on the Los Alamos County Council as a member of its state legislative committee. In that role, I frequently visited with elected legislators (in both House and Senate), lobbyists, and staff. It was a close-up view of the legislature from the “outside.”

This year I had the opportunity to view the legislature from the “inside” as a staff member, an analyst for the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee (HRPAC). It was illuminating, although there were few surprises.

The basic job of legislative analysts is to study bills and provide Read More

House Speaker Tripp On Special Session Negotiations

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House Speaker  Don L. Tripp

STATE News:

SANTA FE – In response to the Senate Democrats claiming a deal has been struck on capital outlay, House Speaker Don L. Tripp issued the following statement:

“It is stunning that the Senate Democrats would publicly trumpet ‘mission accomplished’ on a capital outlay deal by agreeing to their own proposal when no one else even knows the details of the proposal. It’s unfortunate that the Senate Democrats would rather govern by press releases than engage in good faith negotiations with the House and the Executive. 

“We’ve Read More