Politics

Bill Cracking Down On Corrupt Public Officials Passes House Floor Unanimously

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Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry

STATE News:

 SANTA FE – Legislation that will crack down on corrupt government officials by toughening penalties passed the House floor Monday by a unanimous vote.

The legislation, sponsored by Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry, can add as much as one additional year of jail time for government officials and government employees convicted of felony corruption offenses.

“We need to send a clear message: Government corruption will not be tolerated,” Gentry said. “Corruption is a serious crime and those charged with it should have to pay the appropriate Read More

Senators Murkowski, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act

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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Bill Aims To Enhance Opportunities For Hunters, Anglers, Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., have introduced the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

Access to public lands is the number one issue for America’s sportsmen and women. The Sportsmen’s Act includes a broad array of bipartisan measures to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers,

Read More

Representative Files Legislation To Allow Adjunct Teachers To Teach In New Mexico

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Rep. Conrad James

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Conrad James announced today that he has filed legislation that will allow industry professionals to teach part time in the classroom without having to go back to college to receive their teaching degree.

This will allow experts in their respective fields to share their knowledge with students.

“Every classroom deserves a good teacher,” James said. “With this bill, not only will we be able to recruit more teachers – we can bring industry experts into the classroom where they can pass on their wealth of knowledge and experience directly to the students. Read More

Udall And Heinrich To Visit Los Alamos To Celebrate Passage Of Manhattan Project National Historical Park

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

LA HISTORICAL SOCIETY News:

The community is invited to join Sen. Tom Udall and Sen. Martin Heinrich 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Mesa Public Library upstairs rotunda for a special reception and chance to thank them for all of the work they did to ensure passage of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

U.S. Sen.Martin Heinrich

At 3:30 p.m., the senators will participate in a short program to talk about the importance of the park and its importance to Los Alamos. At 4 p.m., the Los Alamos Historical Society will provide limited tours of the two homes it owns on Bathtub Row, Read More

Letter to the Editor: HB 41 Will Hurt Kids And Educators

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By CARRIE APGAR
Los Alamos

It’s time to do your research and be heard.

Below is an email that I sent to Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard. If you agree with my stand on this very important issue, now is the time to contact our New Mexico Legislators and let them know how you feel.

Hello Rep. Garcia Richard,

I, as a tax-payer and mother of three children, two of whom are out of the public school system (thank God), must voice my opinion regarding the upcoming proposal of HB41.

Have you read this ridiculous proposal? If not, here is the Bill in it’s entirety.

Hanna Skandera is an embarrassment to Read More

Bill To Improve Lobbyist Disclosure Goes To House Committee Monday

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Rep. Jeff Steinborn

STATE News:

Rep. Jeff Steinborn’s, D-Doña Ana, HB 155 will be heard 1:30 p.m. Monday by the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee in Room 315 at the Roundhouse. The bill will improve the process by which lobbyists and their employers disclose their spending, the issues on which they are lobbying, and their campaign contributions.

In 2013, there were approximately six lobbyists for every one of New Mexico’s 112 legislators. Lobbyists and their employers currently register and report through the Secretary of State’s (SOS) Office but access to meaningful information Read More

Governor Discusses Graduation Rates, Truancy And Dropout Prevention Efforts

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Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

  • Class of 2014 Graduation Rate Was 68.5 percent

Santa Fe — The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) has announced that the graduation rate for the Class of 2014 was 68.5 percent.

This statewide rate represents a small drop from the 2013 rate of 70 percent, but remains 5.5 percentage points higher than the graduation rate from four years ago.

“Teachers tell me all the time that we know which students are most at-risk of dropping out, so we need to do more to get them the help and attention they need to keep them in the classroom. If we can ensure they get a diploma, Read More

Transparency Bills Aim At Dark Money

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Image/CCNM

STATE News:

Rep. Jim Smith, R-Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe and Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, introduced HB 278 and SB 384 to adapt the state’s campaign reporting act to new trends in state and national campaigns including the formation of independent groups whose donors often are anonymous.

The bills also will bring New Mexico’s election code into compliance with recent court decisions. Smith said that the influence of independent expenditures, often called “dark money,” is growing dramatically and is drowning out the voices of everyday New Mexicans.

“Everyone deserves Read More

Los Alamos County Clerk And School Board Officials Canvass 2015 Election Results

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From left, Lisa Wismer, Director, Business Operations at UNM-LA, Gloria Maestas, Elections Manager, Honorable Pat Casados, Magistrate Judge, Matt Williams, School Board Secretary, and Dr. Gene Schmidt, Superintendent, Los Alamos Public Schools. Photo by Sharon Stover

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office has completed the required canvass process to certify and finalize the 2015 School Board Election results.

The Canvass Board met at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Municipal Building. The board consisted of the Honorable Patricia A. Casados, Los Alamos County Magistrate Judge; Read More