LAFRW News:
The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women will hold its regular monthly meeting noon-1 p.m., March 12 at the Los Alamos Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond Dr.
All registered Republican Women are urged to join us.
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 does a lot of retraining and counseling).
For further information, contact Donna MacDonald at 505.662.4001.
STATE News:
Today, Rep. Deborah Armstrong’s bill, HB 389, which would amend the state Procurement Code to reward businesses seeking government contracts if they demonstrate that they have a practice of paying equal wages to men and women for the same work, unanimously passed the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee.
Armstrong’s bill would allow businesses with a clearly documented record of providing equal pay to receive extra points in the procurement bidding process with any governmental Read More
Rep. Terry McMillan
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Legislation that will protect pregnant women in the workplace and ensure that New Mexico meets federal guidelines passed the House Business and Employment Committee by a unanimous 10-0 vote. Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Doña Ana, of Las Cruces, is the sponsor.
“This legislation balances our desire to protect pregnant women in the workplace as well as the economic needs of our small businesses,” McMillan said. “I look forward to voting for this bill on the House floor.” Read More
BUSINESS News:
WASHINGTON, D.C./ALBUQUERQUE – Today, a poll of New Mexico business leaders was released showing serious concern about the lack of transparency in the state’s government and campaign finance system.
The poll shows overwhelming support for reform amid serious concerns among the business community over the lopsided influence of political donors compared to every day voters. The poll was commissioned by the Committee for Economic Development (CED) of The Conference Board, a nonpartisan, business-led public policy organization, and conducted by Research & Polling, Read More
Courtesy/EEOC
EEOC News:
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforcement and litigation report on reported cases of discrimination and harassment in New Mexico’s workplaces revealed both good and bad news.
The good news is that in Fiscal Year 2014, which ran from Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014, the number of cases filed went down compared to previous reporting period. In FY 2013, the total number of charges was 1,121, compared to the reported 955 reported cases in FY 2014.
Additionally, the EEOC speculates this could a result of businesses putting more time and effort Read More
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Legislation that will toughen penalties for convicted child abusers and those whose abuse contributes to the death of a child passed the House floor Thursday by a vote of 50-10.
“This bill protects our children by going after the predators that intentionally seek to harm them,” said Rep. Conrad James, R-Bernalillo, the bill’s sponsor. “Tonight, we sent a message that child abuse will not be tolerated.”
Currently, those who intentionally beat a child to death only face life in prison if the victim was under the age of 12. This is called Baby Brianna’s Law, named after Brianna Read More
Officials from the Betty Ehart Senior Center in Los Alamos and White Rock Senior Center visit the Roundhouse recently for ‘I Heart Caregiver Day’ to talk with Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard about issues affecting seniors–including the need for a kitchen in the White Rock Senior Center. Following up on their visit, Garcia Richard reports that the funding for the kitchen has been placed in SB 159 as part of a list of prioritized statewide capital projects. ‘Kudos to Pauline Schneider and all of the folks at the Senior Center for working so hard to get funding for this much Read More
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement tonight after voting for a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for seven days.
“By passing a seven-day funding bill tonight, we are laying the foundation to bring up a full-year funding bill next week rather than prolonging it for three weeks. Tonight’s vote assures us that we will vote for full funding next week and put House Republicans’ irresponsible manufactured political crisis to an end.” Read More
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 Armed Services Committee, announced $6.4 million for the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) program in the Air Force’s fiscal year 2016 budget request, which still must be approved by Congress.
For the past three years, the Air Force has attempted to terminate ORS, and this budget request marks the first time it has reinvested in the program.
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
SANTA FE – Efforts to stop drunk driving and close loopholes in the current DWI laws secured a major victory this evening.
The New Mexico House voted unanimously (61-0) to pass Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s, D-Los Alamos, DWI Interlock Removal Requirements legislation, House Bill 86.
“For three sessions, I have fought alongside of DWI prevention advocates to continue to raise awareness and pass legislation to address shortcomings and loopholes hindering our state from fully eradicating its drunk driving problem,” Read More