Politics

Lujan Grisham Invites Unemployed New Mexican to State of the Union Tonight

January 28, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01, has invited Coby Messier of Albuquerque to be her guest at President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight. Messier is a long-term unemployed sheet metal worker recently cut off from federal emergency unemployment insurance due to Congress’s failure to extend the program.

Since the program expired Dec. 28, 1.6 million Americans, including 7,492 New Mexico jobseekers have lost access to this vital economic lifeline.

“The House of Representatives has taken 25 roll call votes since emergency unemployment Read More

Senators Make Initial Motion to Override Governor’s Veto on Two Bills

January 28, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NM SENATE News:

SANTA FE–Senate Majority Whip Tim Keller (D-17-Bernalillo) and Senator Howie Morales (D-28-Catron, Grant & Socorro) successfully removed two bills – Senate Bill 7 (SB7) and Senate Bill 588 (SB588) from the Secretary of State’s office and placed them on the Senate agenda for the purpose of an Override of the Governor’s Veto.

“Without this bill [Senate Bill 7 (SB7)] creating a tax expenditure budget, meaningful tax reform and business incentives are impossible to evaluate,” Keller said. “The result of this veto is a preemptive strike against meaningful efforts to bring Read More

2014 Legislative Veteran-Related Legislation Update

January 27, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NMDVS News:

The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS) is providing an update on veteran related bills for the duration of the 2014 Legislative Session, which concludes at noon Feb. 20.

The update contains information about all introduced Bills/Memorials/Resolutions–and show their status in the legislative process.

The veteran related bills most likely to be introduced today:

Military Retiree PIT Deduction–allowing for military retirees who chose to make their home in New Mexico to take a 25 percent deduction of their tax liability on their military retiree

More Than 1.6 Million Americans; 7,400 New Mexicans Have Lost Unemployment Insurance

January 27, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District highlighted a new report on how many Americans have seen their unemployment insurance run out since Dec. 28, 2013.

The analysis by House Ways and Means Committee Democrats found that more than 1.6 million Americans, including 7,492 New Mexicans have lost these important benefits. Without Congressional action, on average, nearly 72,000 people are losing unemployment insurance every week.

“It was disappointing that once again Republicans recessed the House without addressing Read More

Leadership Los Alamos Session Examines Local Government

January 25, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Leadership Los Alamos panelists from left, DPU Charter Review Committee Chair Susan O’Leary, Utilities Board Chair David Powell and DPU Manager John Arrowsmith. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Leadership Los Alamos participants listen as DPU Charter Review Committee Chair Susan O’Leary presents details on her committee’s recommendations to County Council. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

Session Co-Chairs Pat Casados (Magistrate Judge) and Chris Chandler (Probate Judge) led the Dec. 13 Leadership

James Chrobocinski Announces Candidacy for Los Alamos County Assessor

January 25, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Owner/Broker James Chrobocinski of Zia Realty Group in his downtown office today announces bid for Los Alamos County Assessor. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

Local businessman James Chrobocinski announced his candidacy for Los Alamos County Assessor during an interview today with the Los Alamos Daily Post. Chrobocinski grew up in Los Alamos but left to live in Corpus Christi, Texas for several years. He returned two years ago and opened Zia Realty Group in downtown Los Alamos, which now has 25 agents and offices in Santa Fe and Espanola.

Legislative Jobs Council Recommends New Legislation

January 24, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

The New Mexico State Capital/Courtesy www.newmexico.gov‎

N.M. LEGISLATURE NEWS:

SANTA FE–With a blueprint in hand, the bipartisan Legislative Jobs Council has started the legislative process of creating jobs in New Mexico. A legislative package based on the recommendations of the Jobs Council has been drafted and is ready to be introduced in the House of Representatives.

The legislative package includes:

Appropriations to improve economic development efforts toward job creation which includes significantly more funding for the Economic Development Department and the State Tourism

Former ADA and Judge Announces Candidacy for New Mexico Attorney General

January 23, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Susan Riedel

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Susan Riedel, former chief deputy district attorney in Las Cruces and retired Third Judicial District Court judge, announced her candidacy Wednesday for New Mexico Attorney General. Riedel pledged to utilize her more than 25 years of prosecutorial experience to fight for New Mexico:

“New Mexico deserves a strong prosecutor as attorney general,” Riedel said. “I will stand up and fight against those who would prey on the weak and try to take advantage of the public. I will enforce the laws of New Mexico to ensure that dangerous criminals are

Jobs; Education Top State of the State Address

January 22, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez delivers her annual State of the State Address Tuesday afternoon in the House Chambers saying, “I believe our focus must be on two of the most pressing issues – jobs and education.” PrintScreen photo/ladailypost.com

The New Mexico House of Representatives Chamber in Santa Fe is filled to capacity during Tuesday’s opening of the 30-day Legislative Session. PrintScreen photo/ladailypost.com

STATE News:

SANTA FE—The following is the prepared text of the State of the State Address delivered by Gov. Susana Read More

Governor to Deliver State of the State Address 1 p.m. Today

January 21, 2014 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

STATE News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Republican Gov. Susana Martinez will deliver the State of the State address tomorrow at approximately 1 p.m.

When: Jan. 21, at approximately 1 p.m. (subject to legislative activity)
Where: New Mexico House of Representatives, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe

Note: The State of the State address will be streamed live online in cooperation with KNME at https:////governor.state.nm.us

Sen. Bill Soules to Outline Democratic Agenda during the Democratic Response to State of the State.

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 21 following the State of the State Address