State

NMDOT Seeks Public 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 8th amendment to the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP.) 

The program will serve as a four year plan for the state’s federal aid highway program. The STIP contains proposed road and bridge projects and is required under the federal legislation. Projects on the list are on federal and state highways (roads with I, U.S. or NM designations).

The NMDOT has posted the 2012-2015 STIP amendment on the Internet asking for public comment until Thursday, June 20. In addition, NMDOT Read More

In Focus Looks at Texas Water Rustling; NM Tea Party Scrutiny From IRS

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Attorney General Gary King

NM PBS News:

New Mexico Attorney General Gary King talks about the state’s water battle with Texas on this week’s edition of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, airing 7 p.m. Friday, May 17 on New Mexico PBS/KNME 5.1.

With both states mired in historic droughts, every drop of water has the potential to be contentious. The A.G. says it amounts to “water rustling” but is there anything the state can do to prevent a Texan water grab?

Also on the program, open government issues still swirl around King and the Martinez administration as the two prepare to do battle in 2014.

The Line opinion panel Read More

Udall Addresses DOJ’s Collection of AP Records, IRS Targeting and Mineral Royalties Bill

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U.S. SENATE NEWS:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On his weekly radio press conference call Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall discussed legislation he’s introducing with Wyoming’s senators to protect New Mexico’s mineral royalties from sequestration cuts.
 
He also expressed strong concern over the Department of Justice’s collection of Associated Press phone records and reacted to reports that the IRS targeted groups based on political ideology.
 
 
 
Below are highlights from
Read More

Udall Initiative Would Increase Graduation Rate, Help Underperforming Schools

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Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With graduation season underway, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced a bill today that would increase the graduation rate in New Mexico and across the nation.
 
Nationwide, approximately one-fifth of high school students drop out of school each year. According to the New Mexico Public Education Department, the state’s graduation rate was 70.3 percent in 2012, with a 67.7 percent rate for Hispanic students and 64.9 percent for Native Americans. In addition, New Mexico’s state’s high school dropouts
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Luján Cosponsors Bill to Protect New Mexico Royalty Payments from Sequester Cuts

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Rep. Ben Ray Luján

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District joined with a number of Representatives from Western states to introduce legislation that protects state mineral royalty payments from cuts due to the sequester.

The States Mineral Protection Act allows states the option of directly collecting their share of federal mineral royalties under the Mineral Leasing Act. This would prohibit the federal government from sequestering mineral royalties owed to the states and eliminate a 2 percent fee that the federal government charges for collection Read More

Quality New Mexico Elects Officers, Board Members

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QNM News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Quality New Mexico elected its 2013-14 Board of Directors Officers this month.

The new directors begin their term June 1:

BILL WADT Chairman of the Board (LANL Foundation)

 

 

 

 

KIM HERDICK Chair-Elect (UNM Medical Group, Inc.)

 

 

 

 

STEVE KEENE Secretary-Treasurer (MOSS ADAMS, LLP)

 

 

 

 

 

TROY GREER Immediate Past-Chair (Lovelace Medical Center)

 

 

 

 

JULIA GABALDON is President/CEO of Quality New Mexico.

The following individuals were elected by QNM membership Read More

Regional Coalition Pleased with DOE Reprogramming Request for LANL Clean Up Funding

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RCLC News:

SANTA FE—The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is pleased to announce that New Mexico is one step closer to receiving critical federal funding needed to maintain ongoing environmental management efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

 

Last week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the White House sent a reprogramming request to Congress in the amount of $19 million. Reprogramming will allow the DOE to move necessary funds between their accounts during the current fiscal year but Read More

Forest Announces 2013 Season Open Recreation Sites

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Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

  • Forest announces 2013 season open recreation sites; Asks public to help keep forest clean

SANTA FE – Forest recreation specialists are currently busy preparing 54 campgrounds, trail heads and picnic areas for the summer season across the Santa Fe National Forest.

Hazard tree inspections, drinking water sampling, and general maintenance to facilities brought on by winter snow are being accomplished so that visitors can once again enjoy their national forests.

However, there will be a reduction in services at some sites. Generally at sites where services are reduced Read More

Forest & VCNP Enter Stage I Fire Restrictions Tuesday

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Smokey Bear. Courtesy/SFNS

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – Despite recent scattered rain showers, the Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera National Preserve will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. Tuesday due to extreme/exceptional drought conditions and high fire danger.

 

The Pecos Wilderness and San Pedro Parks Wilderness areas are exempt from Stage I fire restrictions. Devices solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuel that can be turned on and off are allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.

Read More