Politics

Interior Secretary Announces Wildlife And Climate Studies

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Secretary Sally Jewell. Photo by Tami Heilemann

DOI News:

Research Will Provide Land and Wildlife Managers with Tools to Adapt to Climate Change

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has announced that Interior’s Southwest Climate Science Center is awarding nearly $1 million to universities and other partners for research to guide managers of parks, refuges and other cultural and natural resources in planning how to help species and ecosystems adapt to climate change.

“These climate studies are designed to help address regional concerns associated with climate

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Sen. Bill Soules Files Legislation Designed To Grow Local Distillery And Restaurant Economies

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Sen. William (Bill) Soules

STATE News:

SANTA FE – In New Mexico, the high price of a liquor licenses hinders many local restaurant owners from purchasing a full liquor license. With a price range of up to $1 million, national chain restaurants seem to be some of the only establishments who can afford to operate in the state with a full bar.

Sen. William (Bill) Soules, D-37-Dona Ana, has filed legislation for the upcoming session that he says will enable restaurants that have a wine and beer license to offer New Mexico distillery spirits, giving the local economy a boost.

“The current high price of Read More

Help Us Fight The Food Tax (Once Again)!

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Think New Mexico Executive Director Fred Nathan

TNM News:

Just in time for the holidays, the New Mexico Municipal League (which represents New Mexico’s mayors and city councilors) is bringing its latest proposal to reimpose a regressive food tax.

Think New Mexico championed the repeal of this anti-family tax back in 2004 and, thanks to the efforts of New Mexicans in communities across the state, we defeated attempts to reimpose it in 2010 and 2013.

This tme around, we’ve launched a petition to present to mayors, city councils, the legislature, and the governor, asking them to stand Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce $324 Million For WIPP

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U.S. SENATE News:

Legislation signed by president includes $104 million more than administration’s budget request

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the president has signed legislation providing $324 million for recovery and operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad.
 
Earlier this year, Udall, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Heinrich had requested the funding to ensure recovery efforts can continue so the facility can safely resume operation and accept waste from Los Alamos National
Read More

Governor Announces Cabinet Secretary Posts

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STATE News:

  • New Secretaries for Higher Education; Children, Youth, and Families; and Tourism Announced

SANTA FE – Today Gov. Susana Martinez announced three cabinet level appointments: 

  • Dr. Barbara Damron has been appointed Cabinet Secretary for Higher Education Department (HED);
  • Monique Jacobson has been appointed Cabinet Secretary of the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD); and
  • Rebecca Latham has been appointed Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department.

The changes will take effect Jan. 5, 2015.

“Over the past four years, we’ve seen an increase Read More

Udall, Heinrich Secure Critical PILT Funding

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • PILT helps counties provide services including schools and public safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the president has signed legislation that fully funds the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT) for 2015.

New Mexico counties rely on PILT to provide services, including schools, roads, and public safety. Udall, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Heinrich are strong advocates for the PILT program because of how important it is to New Mexico communities, and they have pushed hard to ensure funding would be available Read More

Udall Welcomes Passage Of Bill To Begin Reform Of Federal Information Technology Systems

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 U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Udall authored reform legislation to improve how citizens interact with government, save billions of taxpayers’ dollars, increase transparency in IT purchasing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, announced that a bill he has helped champion in Congress, to begin needed reforms of federal information technology (IT) purchasing and management, has passed Congress as a part of major defense legislation. 

The Federal Information Technology Read More

New Councilor Hosts Celebration At Unquarked

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Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, left, and newly sworn Los Alamos County Councilor Susan O’Leary Friday at Unquarked The Wine Room in Central Park Square following the official swearing in ceremony of newly elected officials at the Municipal Building. O’Leary hosted the gathering, which included elected officials from both sides of the aisle as well as many friends and supporters from throughout the community. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Local attorney George Chandler, Councilor Pete Sheehey and newly sworn County Assessor Ken Milder toast during Friday’s Read More

Scenes From Friday’s Swearing In Ceremony

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Municipal Judge Alan Kirk delivers the Oath of Office to County Councilor James Chrobocinski, surrounded by his grandfather and namesake James Bramble, 94, who has lived in Los Alamos since the Manhattan Project era of the 1940s, his wife Jacqueline and their son JJ. Community members, County staff, family and friends attended Friday’s special ‘swearing in’ ceremony for newly elected officials in Council Chambers, inside the Municipal Building. Chrobocinski was sworn in along with County Councilors David Izraelevitz, Susan O’Leary and Rick Read More

Terry Brunner Addresses Affordable Care Act

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Terry Brunner
 
By TERRY BRUNNER
USDA Rural Development Director

Living in a rural community shouldn’t have to come with a hefty price tag for healthcare. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, it no longer has to.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is already making a difference in the lives of millions of rural Americans, including families right here in New Mexico Prior to the ACA, many rural families had a hard time finding affordable insurance coverage, paying an average of nearly half of their costs out of their own pockets.

Today, thanks to the ACA, families in New Mexico can choose from a variety Read More