Politics

Udall Pushes to Undo Cut to Military Retirees’ COLA

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U.S. SENATE News:

  • Amendment filed to unemployment insurance legislation would protect benefits, close corporate tax loophole

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is supporting an amendment to emergency unemployment legislation to protect military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in a bipartisan budget agreement.

 

The amendment mirrors legislation Udall helped introduce in December, the Military Retirement Restoration Act, which would reverse the 1 percent reduction in the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for working-age Read More

Luján Addresses 50th Anniversary of War on Poverty

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President Lydon B. Johnson

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep.  Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., released the following statement Wednesday on the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.”

“Fifty years ago, in a State of the Union Address, President Johnson declared ‘War on Poverty’ and brought to the conscience of a nation the plight of millions of Americans who were suffering from hunger, unemployment, and a lack of economic opportunity.  He focused attention on those for whom the American Dream had fallen out Read More

Community Engagement Specialist Discusses Health Reform in New Mexico

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Maria Perez

DPLA News:

Maria Perez, a community outreach specialist with Health Action NM, will be in Los Alamos at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at UNM-LA Building 02, Lecture Hall 230, to present information on the Affordable Care Act, how education and enrollment efforts are going in New Mexico, and how health reform will benefit our communities.

New Mexico is a large, rural state with a low population. Out of approximately 2 million residents in the state, about 360,000 people under the age of 65 do not have health insurance; this means that one in five individuals are living without health coverage. Read More

SGR: Time to Make Jobs a Top Priority

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By Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Sandoval & Rio Arriba

A recent economic evaluation of the states, conducted by Bloomberg, found that New Mexico’s economic health has declined from being in the top ten from 1995-2007 to dead last, today. This summer, the Jobs Council, comprised of Legislators and representatives from the private and public sector, was formed to come up with a strategy to get New Mexico back on track. As a Legislator, whose district has been directly affected by the decline in revenue and jobs, it has been a unique and rewarding opportunity to participate

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Hot Issues Include Education and Jobs for 30-Day Session

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Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard speaks at the podium to residents gathered at Fuller Lodge Wednesday evening for the annual Legislative Preview as Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez listen at right. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
 
Los Alamos Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Gerry Washburn discusses education as AAUW President Helena Whyte, left, and Think New Mexico’s Kristina Fisher look on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
 
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post

The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos and the American Association

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Luján: Senate Action on Unemployment Insurance Good First Step

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Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep.  Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., applauded Senate action Tuesday that will allow for the consideration of bipartisan legislation to extend federal unemployment benefits that expired at the end of last month.

On Dec. 28, 1.3 million Americans, including 6,000 New Mexicans, saw their unemployment benefits run out at a time when the economy in New Mexico continues to struggle in the wake of the deepest recession in a generation.

“The Senate vote to move forward on legislation to extend unemployment insurance is a positive first Read More

N.M. Legislative Finance Committee Presents Budget Recommendations

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N.M. LEGISLATURE NEWS:

SANTA FE — Friday, the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) held a press conference to present the budget recommendations for the 2014 Legislative Session. Spending calls for $6.15 billion from the general fund, which is $253.5 million more than is expected to be spent in the current fiscal year.

LFC Chairman, Rep. Luciano Valera, D-Santa Fe, opened the press conference, providing a rundown of the priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Job creation, education, public employee retention and healthcare were at the core of the list.

Legislators agreed that bipartisanship Read More

County Council Elects 2014 Leadership

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During this evening’s meeting, Council Chair Geoff Rodgers is retained in the leadership role on Council for another year by a unanimous vote of the Los Alamos County Council. PrintScreen photo/ladailypost.com

In a unanimous vote by Council, Councilor Kristin Henderson is elected vice chair for 2014. She replaces Vice Chair David Izraelevitz who did not seek reelection as vice chair. PrintScreen photo/ladailypost.com Read More

Janet Yellen Makes History as First Female Federal Reserve Chair

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Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen

U.S. Senate News:

WASHINGTON–Monday, Sen. Tom Udall joined the Senate in confirming Janet Yellen to serve as Chairwoman of the Federal Reserve. He issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote was a historic moment for the Federal Reserve and for our nation. I look forward to seeing Dr. Yellen become the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve Board. As Vice Chair of the Fed, Dr. Yellen has proven herself to be a thoughtful and extremely effective leader,” Udall said. “I look forward to her experienced hand and strong voice for working families Read More

Senate Majority Office Responds to Gov.’s Budget Proposal

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Senate Majority Floor Leader Michael Sanchez

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced her spending recommendations for next fiscal year’s budget. Her $6.07 billion proposal is about $80 million less than the $6.15 billion recommendations proposed by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) last week.

LFC proposed pay raises for all state and education workers, while Martinez’s recommendations only call for raises to be given to a certain percentage of state workers and merit pay for educators. Merit pay still continues to be an issue that many Democrats Read More