State

Resolution Filed Requiring Advanced Education for County Treasurers

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STATE News:

SANTA FE–State Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Bernalillo, has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 19, requiring that county treasurers in New Mexico have increased educational qualifications, as well as continuing to receive related education throughout their tenure.

“The reality is that the job of county treasurers has gotten more complicated since 1912 when New Mexico became a state–they manage hundreds of millions of dollars by investing public dollars, in sometimes complex investment instruments,” Candelaria said.

This comes on the heels of a decision that the recall election Read More

Udall: Jornada ‘Climate Hub’ to Help N.M. Farmers and Ranchers

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Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. Senate News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement on President Obama’s decision to name the Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, N.M., the U.S. Department of Agriculture Southwest “climate hub.”

As a climate hub, it will provide information to rural communities in New Mexico, California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona about the impacts of climate change. Udall and Senator Martin Heinrich wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in October in support of the Jornada Experimental Range’s application.

“Difficult conditions are nothing new Read More

New Mexico STEM Education Week Celebration

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STATE News:

SANTA FE—Community members, students, PreK-20 educators, STEM advocates, industry professionals, state agency education professionals and elected officials will come together Feb. 7 to celebrate “NM STEM Education Week in the House” in the Capitol Rotunda.
 
NM STEM Education Week is the result of a memorial co-sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart, Sen. John Sapien and Sen. Gay Kernan. The memorial encourages the public education department, the higher education department and the private sector each work to advance the following goals:

  • Certify 1,000 new science and mathematics
Read More

Comprehensive DWI Bill Tabled in Committee

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STATE News:

Bill tabled on same day its sponsors are being honored as DWI “Legislative Champions”


SANTA FE–Efforts to stop drunk driving and protect the rights of victims suffered a huge blow in the House Transportation and Public Works Committee Thursday. House Bill 10, a comprehensive bipartisan package to target repeat drunk drivers, was tabled in committee.

The action comes on the same day the bill’s sponsors were being honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving MADD, and the Rotunda was filled with DWI Prevention displays to bring awareness of the dangers of drunk driving.

House Bill 10 Read More

Padilla Introduces Active Shooter Training Bill

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo, introduced Senate Bill 282 Monday, which calls for an appropriation of $50,000 to the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) to provide an active shooter response program.

“Active shooter training will help save the lives of both our public safety professionals and citizens that find themselves in dangerous situations,” Padilla said. “The primary objective of this legislation is to provide training to help first responders get to injured citizens quickly and safely.”

According to President Diego Arencón of the Albuquerque Read More

UPDATE: Luján Announces Congressional App Competition for High School Students

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UPDATE: Submission period is open until 5 p.m. EDT
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. Congressional News:

SANTA FE—U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District announced details today for the first annual Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Competition, “The House Student App Challenge.” 

High school students from the Third District can compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app,” for mobile, tablet or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The winning entry from Read More

Report: Minimum Wage Hike Would Help Women, Hispanics

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VOC News:

As a worker’s rights issue, wage protection is appropriate addition to NM constitution

ALBUQUERQUE—If the statewide minimum wage was raised to $8.50 an hour, as currently proposed in Senate Joint Resolution 13 (SJR-13), it would impact more than 91,000 workers outside of the city of Santa Fe and Bernalillo County, which already have  minimum wages at $8.50 or higher.

Such an increase would put almost $50 million in their pockets, and most of that money would be spent in the local economy. That’s one of the conclusions of a report released by New Mexico Voices for Children.
  Read More

Los Alamos AP Students and Staff Honored at State Capitol

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Los Alamos Public Schools students and staff honored Tuesday on the floor of the Senate at the State Capitol. Photo by John McHale/LAPS

Los Alamos Public Schools students and staff honored Tuesday at the State Capitol Rotunda. Photo by John McHale/LAPS

Gov. Susana Martinez congratulates Los Alamos students for their hard work in the classroom. Photo by John McHale/LAPS

By Dr. Gene Schmidt, Superintendent
Los Alamos Public Schools

Los Alamos Public Schools students and staff were honored at the State Capitol Rotunda and on the floor of the State Senate Tuesday, Feb. 4. Senate Education Chair Read More

Safe Driving Tips for Wintery Weather

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NMDOT:

SANTA FE–As wintery weather moves across New Mexico, snow and ice can pose a potential for dangerous driving conditions.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation’s road crews are hard at work in affected areas, plowing roads and spreading salt and cinder. NMDOT workers also are on standby in other areas should the roads there become affected by the weather.

The NMDOT reminds motorists that if they come up behind a snowplow or sander working, not to get too close. Stay back at least 200 feet. Please slow down and stay far enough back so you are not hit by the sand or cause the driver problems. Read More

Udall Submits 7,515 Petition Signatures for Re-election

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Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. Senate News:

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall officially filed for re-election Wednesday, submitting 7,515 petition signatures collected by volunteers from across New Mexico, in order to appear on the ballot in November. Udall gathered signatures from every county in New Mexico, demonstrating broad-based support.

“We’ve seen an outpouring of support from people across our state, and in every county. They know there’s a lot at stake in this election and that we’re focused on what matters – fighting in the U.S. Senate for New Mexico’s middle class and working families, Read More