Politics

U.S. Rep. Lujan Grisham Highlights Positive Effects Of Medicaid Expansion

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Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., marked the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by highlighting how hundreds of thousands of New Mexico families are benefiting from the expansion of Medicaid.

An additional 230,000 New Mexicans have gained health coverage through Medicaid and the federal children’s health insurance program – a 50-percent increase over 18 months.

“I am pushing Congress to make needed improvements to the Affordable Care Act so health care is more accessible to average families,” Lujan Read More

Heinrich, Udall Introduce Bill To Boost Funding For Laboratory Directed R&D Program

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U.S. SENTATE News:

  • LDRD program advances frontiers of science and engineering, invests in critical national security missions, helps recruit and retain staff for national laboratories

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Tom Udall, D-N.M. introduced S.830, the LDRD Enhancement Act of 2015, a bill to increase the maximum percentage each laboratory director may set aside for Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) from 6 to 10 percent of the lab’s budget.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s discretionary LDRD program advances the Read More

Udall On Fifth Anniversary Of Affordable Care Act

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:            
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being signed into law:
 
“Five years ago today, hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans had no access to health insurance. Our state had one of the highest rates of uninsured, and among the highest rates for chronic disease. Many New Mexicans couldn’t afford to see a doctor when they or their children got sick. They didn’t have access
Read More

Udall Warns About Scam Targeting Taxpayers

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall warned consumers about a phone scam targeting thousands of taxpayers in New Mexico and throughout the country, and encouraged taxpayers to exercise caution when providing personal information solicited over the phone or online. 

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), criminals are targeting taxpayers throughout the country with an aggressive and sophisticated impersonation scam. Callers claim to be IRS employees, often using fake names and caller ID that may make it appear as though their call Read More

Capital Outlay Bill Dies As Legislature Adjourns

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House Floor on Saturday during debate of SB 159. Courtesy photo

Staff Report:

SANTA FE – At noon Saturday, the 2015 New Mexico legislative session came to an end as the constitutionally allotted 60 days expired. 

Once legislators adjourned, all uncompleted legislation died. This year’s legislative session saw a Republican majority take control of the House of Representatives for the first time in six decades.

This change in party control meant little to most New Mexicans and there were signs of bipartisan cooperation as the Legislature passed a $6.2 billion budget for next year’s Read More

SFCIR: Dr. Nakhleh To Speak On ISIS And The Aftermath Of The Arab Spring – Threats And Challenges

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Dr. Emile Nakhleh

SFCIR News:

The Santa Fe Council on International Relations presents a World Affairs Discussion Event “ISIS and the Aftermath of the Arab Spring: Threats and Challenges” by speaker Emile Nakhleh at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

The event is hosted at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design, in the Forum, 1600 St. Michael’s Dr., and the cost is $15 for CIR members; $20 for non-members and guests, and qualified students with appropriate I.D. are welcome to attend this event for free.

Dr. Nakhlehretired is a Senior Intelligence Service Officer (SIS-3), Research Read More

NM REIA Enters PNM Rate Case To Protect ‘Rooftop’ Customer Sited Solar Projects And Jobs It Creates

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REIA News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Renewable Energy Industries Association – New Mexico (REIA) has filed with the Public Regulation Commission to intervene in the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) rate case, in which the utility seeks to raise electricity rates approximately 12 percent. 

REIA’s interest in the case is PNM’s request for approval to add a monthly interconnection fee (access fee) to the bills of owners of rooftop solar systems and to eliminate those customers’ ability to carry forward excess generation on their bills, or “bank” that energy for use in winter months. Read More

Rio Grande Trail Bill Goes To Governor’s Desk

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Rep. Jeff Steinborn

STATE News:

  • Legislation creates a commission to develop the Rio Grande Trail

SANTA FE – House Bill 563, “Rio Grande Trail Commission” sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces has passed in the Senate.

The bill now goes to the Governor for approval. Governor Martinez has already expressed support for creation of the Trail, stating in a news release that it would be a historic achievement for New Mexico.

HB 563 would create the Rio Grande Trail Commission to study and recommend the best paths for a new Rio Grande Trail. The Commission would coordinate with the many stakeholders Read More

Senate Breaks Impasse On Immigrants’ Drivers Licenses

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STATE News:

  • Strongly Bipartisan Compromise Bill Passes Senate On 35-5 Vote

SANTA Fe – With the broad support of both Democrats and Republican members, the New Mexico Senate today passed compromise legislation that successfully resolves the complex issue of undocumented immigrants drivers’ licenses and state compliance with the federal REAL ID law.

The compromise was hammered out by two of the Senate’s most respected leaders, Republican Floor Leader Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Chaves, Curry, and Finance Committee Chairman, Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Luna. Senate Bill 653 (SB 653) Read More

LANL Foundation ISEC Staff And Students Demonstrate Inquiry Science Kits At Roundhouse

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LANL Foundation Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC) staff and student scientists demonstrated inquiry science kits to visitors at the Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse this week. Young scientist Jakob Warniment assists New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera with a microscope from the Microworlds science kit. Standing in back from left, ISEC Director of Professional Development and Evaluation Gwen Warniment, LANL Foundation CEO Jenny Parks and ISEC Program Director Dorothy Sanchez. Courtesy photo

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard recognized the success of the Inquiry Science Read More