Politics

Bill To Significantly Boost New Mexico Businesses Passes Senate Floor

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Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla

SANTA FE – Senate Bill 69 (SB 69), also known as the Resident Business Set-Aside Act, has passed the Senate floor. SB 69 is designed to build the local economy and create more jobs for New Mexicans by proposing that 33 percent of certain state contracts go to resident businesses.

Bill sponsor, Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo, said he is delighted about the support the bill has received in the Legislature and from the public.

“This week, the Senate passed a bill that is important to our state. It’s time we start taking care of local business Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce $5.6 Million in Federal Funding For Early Childhood Education

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U.S. Senate News:

Senators Tom Udall, D-N.M. and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. announced Thursday $5.6 million in federal grant funding to Eastern Plains Community Action Agency and La Clinica de Familia for early childhood education programs.

Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grants are offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow new or existing Early Head Start programs to partner with local child care centers and family child care providers serving infants and toddlers from low-income families.

“Improving child well-being in New Mexico is one Read More

Legislation To Ensure Coverage Of Treatment For Brain Injuries Passes House

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Rep. Deborah Armstrong

STATE News:

HB 556, a bill introduced by Rep. Deborah Armstrong to ensure that health care services needed by patients dealing with traumatic brain injuries are covered by insurance plans, unanimously passed New Mexico House of Representatives Wednesday and is now on its way to the Senate.

“Traumatic brain injuries can be debilitating health issues that, until recently, we have had limited means of treating,” Armstrong said. “Today, with advancements in health care and science, there is more and more that can be done to help these patients recover and live better lives Read More

Heinrich, Udall Commemorate 70th Anniversary Of White Sands Missile Range

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White Sands Missile Range Museum Park. Courtesy/delange.org

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Wednesday,  U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Tom Udall, D-N.M. introduced a resolution to commemorate the 70th anniversary of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in September 2015. The resolution recognizes WSMR’s unique place in history and its national security importance.

“White Sands Missile Range’s mission remains as pertinent to national security today as it was in 1945. It is the premier research, development, test, and evaluation facility, and Read More

Los Alamos County’s Allison Majure Lands Top Communications Post At NMED

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Allison Majure, the new communications director for the New Mexico Environment Department, paid a visit to the Los Alamos Daily Post headquarters in downtown Los Alamos last week following her final day of work at the County. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

NMED News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ryan Flynn announced today the appointment of Allison Scott Majure of Los Alamos to the post of Communications Director.  

“Ms. Majure’s background in municipal utilities, software marketing, journalism, and nonprofit communications brings both depth Read More

Senators Introduce Bill To Establish Microlabs

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U. S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced S. 784, the Microlab Technology Commercialization Act, a bill to accelerate technology transfer by establishing off-campus microlabs that would serve as the “front-door” to national laboratories.

The microlabs would give academia, local government, businesses owners, and communities direct access to equipment, facilities, and personnel of national laboratories. 

“Scientists Read More

NNSA Releases Stockpile Stewardship & Mgmt. Plan

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NNSA Administrator (Ret.) Gen. Frank G. Klotz

NNSA News:

  • Annual Report Provides Insight into Vital National Security Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has released its Fiscal Year 2016 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP).

The FY16 SSMP documents NNSA’s 25-year strategic plan for accomplishing its core stockpile stewardship mission area of maintaining the safety, security and effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile without nuclear testing.  It also describes NNSA’s phased approach to maintaining Read More

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s Bill To Protect Local Small Businesses Heads To Governor’s Office

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Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Senate unanimously passed (37-0) Wednesday Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s House Bill 130, the state procurement code legislation that increases transparency within the contract bidding process to protect local small businesses. 

HB 130 recently passed unanimously on the House floor and is now headed to the Governor’s desk where she will have 20 days to sign or veto the legislation.

“HB 130 is a critical step  in protecting our small businesses throughout the Read More

Luján Announces Annual Congressional Art Competition

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
Congressional News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District has announced details for this year’s Congressional Art Competition.
 
This annual competition allows members of Congress to display the talent and creativity of their high school constituents. The winning entry from each Congressional district will be displayed as part of an exhibit in the United States Capitol for one year. The winner will travel to Washington, D.C. for a reception honoring the national winners.
 
“The Congressional
Read More

Governor Susana Martinez Acts On Legislation

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Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

SANTA FE—Today, Gov. Susana Martinez signed legislation to improve efficiency and cost savings for taxpayers and local governments in property tax correspondence.

House Bill 49, sponsored by Rep. Bob Wooley, R-Roswell, allows for email correspondence between taxpayers and their county assessors and treasurers instead of first class mail. This will help taxpayers and counties save money on postage, as well as reduce the time taxpayers need to respond to notices.

Governor Martinez also acted on the following legislation:

House Bill 379 – Racehorse Drug Read More