Politics

Skandera Still Not Listening To Teachers Or Parents; Continues To Push Retention Despite Negative Effects

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By Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez
D-29-Bernalillo and Valencia Counties

SANTA FE – An op-ed by Education Secretary-Designate Hanna Skandera in the Albuquerque Journal this week asks voters to support the Governor’s continued agenda to end social promotion in New Mexico schools.

Skandera tells us that social promotion is a “failed policy” and that when children cannot read at grade level, they should be held back. It doesn’t matter that they may score extremely high in math, because she believes their reading score is the determining factor in whether they should proceed to the Read More

Poll Workers Train For School Board Election

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Elections Manager Gloria Maestas trains poll workers this morning on voting machines for the Feb. 3 School Board. Courtesy/LAC 

Poll workers from left, Fred Brueggeman, Bill McKerley, Erin Kennison and Collin Windle test the audio-visual ballot marking interface component on the ICE voting machine during today’s certification. Courtesy/LAC 

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County (LAC) Clerk’s Office conducted poll worker training today for the Feb. 3 School Board Election.

Poll workers are entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out state mandated election procedures Read More

Heinrich Cosponsors Bill To Ensure Married Same-Sex Couples Are Treated Equally Under Federal Law

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • “Guaranteeing equal protection under the law is right and just.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., cosponsored S. 29, the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to ensure all legally-married, same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law.

The bill seeks to fully implement the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

“All couples who have solidified their life-long commitment to each other through marriage deserve the same rights and responsibilities regardless of where they live,” Read More

Luján Statement At Start Of 114th Congress

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Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement Tuesday after being sworn in as a member of the 114th Congress.

“As we start the new Congress it is a tremendous honor to serve the people of New Mexico and to have the opportunity to again represent our great state. In New Mexico we are a family, and to solve the challenges we face we need to work together, from every level of government to the private sector. We all have a role to play and I will be working hard in Washington and in the district Read More

Heinrich Cosponsors Net Neutrality Legislation

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

  • The Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act would protect consumers, prevent a two-tiered Internet system

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., is cosponsoring net neutrality legislation that would help prevent the creation of a two-tiered Internet system by requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ban so-called “paid prioritization” agreements between a broadband provider and a content provider. 

Introduction of the legislation, the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Read More

Udall Offers Senate Rules Reform Proposal

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Sen.Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen.Tom Udall, D-N.M., delivered a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor on a proposal he offered with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., to increase transparency, restore accountability and foster debate in the Senate by reforming the Senate’s often-abused rules.

The centerpiece of their proposal requires a “talking filibuster,” meaning senators wishing to block legislation would have to do so by speaking on the Senate floor. Udall has been a leader in the effort to reform the Senate rules since he was elected Read More

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Sworn In For Second Term

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Vice President Joe Biden administers the oath of office to U.S. Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico Tuesday on the floor of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., as his wife Jill Cooper Udall  holds the Bible. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At just after noon Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall was sworn in for his second term in the U.S. Senate. He issued the following statement: 

“Public service is a true honor, and I’m humbled to be able to work on behalf of New Mexicans for another term in the U.S. Senate. I look forward to continuing to fight for our state’s priorities – for funding Read More

Meet School Board Candidate William (Bill) Hargraves

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William (Bill) Hargraves
 
I am William (Bill) Hargraves, a candidate for the Los Alamos School Board from the Aspen District. The election is Feb. 3. Take a few minutes during that day to vote – I encourage you.
 
First, an introduction – I have two daughters now in Los Alamos High School, a senior and a sophomore. They started kindergarten at Mountain Elementary, moved to Aspen Elementary when school district lines were redrawn, then Los Alamos Middle School, now the high school. My daughters have participated in several school and community activities including choir,
Read More

Regional Coalition Of LANL Communities Meets Jan. 16

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RCLC News:

The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is set to meet 9-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the City of Santa Fe Council Chambers, 200 Lincoln Ave.

For its first meeting of 2015, the Regional Coalition will revisit the Strategic Plan and set goals for 2015. 

Pursuant to New Mexico Open Meetings Act Section 10-15-1 (H) Subsection (2) limited personnel matters by the public body, a closed session will be held following the regular business meeting pertaining to executive director interviews.

Read More

Along The Way: Mary Libby Campbell Making A Difference In Harding County

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Along the way in his travels across New Mexico, USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner met Mary Libby Campbell, a rancher whom he describes as a very concerned citizen of Harding County. Courtesy photo 
 
Along the Way, Mary Libby Campbell Making a Difference in Harding County
 
By TERRY BRUNNER, State Director
USDA Rural Development

This is Terry Brunner, and I’m the State Director for Rural Development at the US Department of Agriculture reporting to you on some of the people I see “Along the way” making a difference in rural New Mexico.

Driving on the western edge Read More