State

Luján Discusses Need to Address Climate Change and Drought Conditions

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STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and a member of the Safe Climate Caucus spoke on the House floor this morning about the need to address climate change and the impact it is having on drought conditions in the West.

The Safe Climate Caucus is a group of Democratic members who are highlighting the need for action on climate change through daily floor speeches and other activities. Click here https:////www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxrC2DzPwYc&feature=youtu.be to watch Luján’s speech.

“Mr. Speaker, as we come to Read More

Udall Introduces Constitutional Amendment on Campaign Finance Reform

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall today introduced a constitutional amendment that would restore authority back to Congress, individual states and the American people to regulate campaign finance.
 
The constitutional amendment would reverse dangerous Supreme Court decisions like Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United and rein in the unprecedented flood of secret money in the campaign finance system. It would allow Congress to regulate the raising and spending of money, including so-called “Super PAC” independent expenditures, while giving states
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Thompson Ridge Fire 90 Percent Contained as 41 Miles of Hose Reeled In

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Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy photo

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed power line; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 90 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 2 crews, 5 engines, 6 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 339 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: Today at 6 a.m., the Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team completed a seamless transition of the fire to the Albuquerque Zone Type III Incident Management Team.

Central West Read More

Preparing for Rain Storms

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Rain clouds loom as sun beams shower down on the Jemez Mountains Saturday as seen heading west toward Los Alamos from the Pojoaque Valley. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

BAER News:

Preparing for Rain Storms

JEMEZ SPRINGS -– The recent Thompson Ridge Fire that burned on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Forest Service, and private lands, changed the watersheds within the burned area.

The wildfire increased the potential for flash flooding and mudflows that could impact several communities, homes, roads, and other infrastructures adjacent to and downstream from the burned Read More

USDA Celebrates National Small Business Week

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USDA Celebrates National Small Business Week

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces $4.7 million in additional investment for rural small businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Small Business Week by highlighting USDA’s actions to help rural small businesses create jobs, get access to capital and spur economic growth.

He also announced the selection of recipients for USDA’s Rural Business Enterprise Grants. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.

“Small businesses Read More

Udall on Syria: Intervening in Another Middle Eastern Civil War Not in U.S. Interests

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Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Monday urged those pushing for military intervention to answer three basic questions before rushing into a Middle Eastern civil war in Syria.
 
To watch video of Udall’s speech, click here.
 
Below are Udall’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
 
Like many others, I am deeply disturbed by the current situation in Syria. The appalling atrocities. The tragic loss of human life. The reported use of chemical
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Public Invited to Comment on STIP

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – The public is invited to comment on the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s implementation of the 2014-2017 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP.)

The program will serve as the new four year plan for the state’s federal aid highway program.

The STIP contains proposed road and bridge projects and is required by federal regulation. Projects on the list are on federal and state highways (roads with I, U.S. or NM designations.)

The NMDOT has posted the 2014-2017 STIP on the internet asking for public comment until July 18, 2013. In addition, the NMDOT Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire: Minimal Activity Expected Today as Crews Continue Rehab, Mop Up, Perimeter Patrol

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Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust

Thompson Ridge Fire

Acres: 23,903; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline: Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 80 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 7 crews, 12 engines, 12 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 526 and Available air support: 3 helicopters.

Summary: For the third consecutive day, fire activity was restricted to unburned fuels within the interior where a total of four acres have burned since Friday. Minimal fire activity is expected today Read More

NM Delegation Introduces Bill to Improve Tribal Education

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CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON– Friday, June 14, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with Reps. Ben Ray Luján, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Steve Pearce announced they have introduced legislation to improve tribal education and preserve Native American language in schools.

Graduation rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives are less than 50 percent – lower than the graduation rates for all other ethnic groups in the United States. The Building Upon Unique Indian Learning and Development (BUILD) Act would remove barriers that tribal leaders often encounter in teaching Read More

NMDOT: Delivery of 910,000 Lb. Transformer to Cause Roadblock Tuesday

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation, State Police and Motor Transportation Police will be working together to coordinate the transport of a 910,000 lb. transformer for Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. 

The transformer will be driven on a 20’ x 290’ trailer from Santo Domingo Pueblo to Chili (north of Espanola) beginning Tuesday, June 18 and arriving at its final destination the next day. The transport trailer will take up two lanes along the route and will travel at speeds varying from 5 to 30 mph.

The transport will begin Tuesday at 9 p.m. Read More