Politics

New Paseo Del Norte/I-25 Interchange Opens Tonight

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STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — At 8:30 p.m. today, Gov. Susana Martinez, alongside local and federal officials, will open the brand new Paseo Del Norte/Interstate 25 interchange.

Martinez’s administration worked with the Legislature to secure $30 million for the project, which was then combined with additional funding from the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and the federal government. This critical transportation infrastructure project was completed on budget and on time.

Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry, City Councilor Dan Lewis, Bernalillo County Commissioner Lonnie C. Read More

Heinrich Introduces Bill To Establish Tech Transfer Maturation Program

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced S. 2973, the National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act.

The bill would launch a new National Laboratory Technology Maturation Program (NLTMP) at the U.S. Department of Energy to facilitate successful commercialization of laboratory-developed technologies.

The new program would provide funding to each national laboratory to be used by small businesses with a licensed technology from a laboratory, such as Sandia National Laboratories Read More

New Mexico’s Drug Overdose Fatality Rate Drops 16 Percent

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Gov. Susana Martinez

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has announced New Mexico’s drug overdose fatality rate decreased 16 percent between 2011 and 2013.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Mexico’s drug overdose fatality rate decreased from first in the nation in 2009 to third in 2012. New Mexico has now fallen below West Virginia and Kentucky in drug overdose death rates. This is the first time since 1992 that New Mexico has not been ranked first or second nationally in drug overdose fatality rate.

“New Mexico continues to work hard Read More

LANL Programs Among Items Approved In Appropriations Bill

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • Appropriations bill funds PILT, lab programs including B61, N.M. military bases, WIPP recovery, technology transfer, water projects and other programs  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich joined the full Senate in voting 56-40 for a so-called “omnibus” appropriations bill to fund the government, including critical New Mexico programs, through September 2015, the end of the Fiscal Year.

The bill includes full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which helps Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce Momentous Gains For New Mexico With Passage Of Public Lands Package

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., applauded the passage of a historic public lands package today. Several conservation and energy bills championed by the senators were included in the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act. The end of year package passed the Senate by a vote of 89 to 11 and now goes to the President for his signature.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

“This is an exciting day for everyone who enjoys public lands and parks in New Mexico. With today’s vote we are protecting some of the Read More

Heinrich To Serve On Senate Armed Services Committee

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

  • Position will be instrumental in Senator’s commitment to New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement after receiving an assignment to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Heinrich currently serves, and will continue to serve, on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Intelligence, and Joint Economic Committees.

“I look forward to serving on the Senate Armed Service Committee to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to keep our nation Read More

James Robinson: Why I Want To Serve On UNM-LA Advisory Board

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James Robinson

By JAMES ROBINSON
Los Alamos

My name is James Robinson, and I am seeking your help to serve on the University of New Mexico – Los Alamos Branch Advisory Board.

UNM-LA holds a special place in my heart. After graduating from Los Alamos High School, I knew that I did not want to go straight into college. So I packed up and headed to golden coast of California. However, it was soon apparent that higher education was the only way to get the life I wanted.

I returned home only to realize that I could not afford the traditional four year college, and I did not qualify for the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship. Read More

Luján Issues Statement On Passage Of Spending Bill

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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 released the following statement Thursday after voting against an omnibus appropriations bill.

“It is deeply disappointing that Congressional Republicans have used this process to pass damaging provisions that roll back critical Wall Street reforms and further undermine campaign finance rules. In addition, the measure shortchanges investments in key areas that are critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness and New Mexico’s future – cutting Pell Grants and providing Read More

Recount Underway For Commissioner Of Public Lands Race

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A recount is underway this morning in the Los Alamos County Clerk’s warehouse at 1000 Central Ave., for the Commissioner of Public Lands race. Clerk’s at all 33 counties across New Mexico are conducting recounts of this race today. Photo by Chris Clark/ladailypost.com

ELECTION News:

Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover announced Wednesday that her office received notice from the Secretary of State that an agreement was reached by all parties, allowing the stay to be lifted on the automatic recount for the Commissioner of Public Lands race.

The New Mexico Supreme Court has officially Read More

Governor Unveils New Teacher Support Package

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Gov. Susana Martinez

EDUCATION News:

Gov. Susana Martinez has announced a package of key initiatives to support New Mexico’s teachers, starting with increasing pay for beginning teachers for the second year in a row.

The Governor also outlined a new initiative, called the “school supply bucket,” to provide teachers with funds to help purchase materials for their classrooms. She also introduced New Mexico’s “Teachers Pursuing Excellence” (TPE) program to place the most effective teachers in mentorship positions supporting teachers who could benefit from additional, job-embedded Read More