State

State House Highlights: Feb. 23-27

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STATE News:

On the Floor

  • House Judiciary Committee Substitute for House Bills 349, 479 and 31 (Comprehensive DWI Prevention Package), a bipartisan effort on behalf of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Bernalillo-24), Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (D-Los Alamos, Sandoval, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe-43) and Rep. Tim Lewis (R-Sandoval-60), has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 63-0. The House Judiciary Committee substitute for HBs 349,479 and 31 aims to help end New Mexico’s reputation as the worst drunk-driving state in the nation. HB 31 sponsored
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Comprehensive DWI Prevention Bill Passes House

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STATE News:

  • HB 349, 479 and 31 merge into One

SANTA FE – The House of Representatives has unanimously passed a comprehensive DWI Package that will help New Mexico clean up its reputation for being the worst drunk-driving state in the nation.

The vote was 63-0. In a bipartisan move, Democratic Representatives Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Bernalillo-24) and Stephanie Garcia Richard (D-Los Alamos, Sandoval, Rio Arriba, & Santa Fe-43) worked with Republican Rep. Tim Lewis (R-Sandoval-60) and the House Judiciary Committee to consolidate their three separate bills into one comprehensive Read More

Luján Hosts Briefing Highlighting Latino Support to Combat Climate Change and Carbon Pollution Solution

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U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico hosted a Capitol Hill briefing Wednesday designed to offer solutions to climate change that featured a proposal by the Natural Resources Defense Council, and discussed a new poll showing that Latinos strongly support taking action against climate change.

Luján convened the briefing for Members of Congress, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, policy staffers, and Latino organizations concerned about climate change.

From extreme storms to drought, wildfires and floods, climate change is increasingly Read More

Udall Gives Sepich Family Signed ‘Katie’s Law’ Legislation

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall in his Washington, D.C. office Tuesday with the family of murdered NMSU student Katie Sepich. Courtesy/Tom Udall’s Office
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall welcomed the Sepich family to his Washington office Tuesday to present them with signed copies of the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2012, the federal legislation President Obama recently signed into law.
 
Udall met with Jayann and Dave Sepich and their two children to give them copies of the legislation and praise their efforts to expand “Katie’s
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New Mexico’s 13 National Parks = Visitors, Money, Jobs

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New Mexico national parks. Courtesy/NPS

 

NPS News:

DENVER – A new National Park Service report shows that nearly 1.5 million national park visitors in New Mexico in 2011 spent $102 million and supported 1,538jobs in the state.

Nationwide, visitors to the 398 units of the National Park System had a combined $30 billion economic benefit that supported 252,000 jobs.

“The national parks of New Mexico are exceptional and varied places – from the ancient mystery of Chaco Canyon to the wondrous geology of Carlsbad Caverns.

The attraction of these 13 natural and cultural crown jewels as havens Read More

Udall: NM to Receive $7.2 Million Reimbursement for Fire Fighting Efforts

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing more than $7.2 million to New Mexico for the state’s recent fire suppression efforts in the 2011 Track and Donaldson fires.
 
“As New Mexico faces this ongoing drought, we are preparing for another potentially dangerous fire season,” Udall said. “These federal grants are critical in ensuring that our state has the resources it needs to combat the wildfires that threaten our homes and ways of life.”
 
The Forestry
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Fuel Tanker Accident Cleanup Continues on U.S. 84/285 at N.M. 599

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – Western Refining and its environmental cleanup contractor, D&H Pump, are continuing to work to clean up an estimated 1,600 gallons of gasoline that were spilled from a Western Refining fuel tanker that jackknifed and ruptured on U.S. 84/285 at the N.M. 599 exit Sunday evening.

The right northbound lane and the right southbound lane of U.S. 84/285 were closed as of 11 a.m. today, Feb. 26.

Traffic was delayed Sunday evening as first responders worked to contain the spill. Motorists are advised that the cleanup work could take several days.

The New Mexico Environment Department’s Read More

I-40 Reopened in New Mexico, Closed in Texas

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico State Police have reopened Interstate 40 in New Mexico to the Texas border. 

However, I-40 is closed on the Texas side from Amarillo to Sayre. When motorists reach the border, Texas authorities will escort them in caravans to Amarillo. 

Once in Amarillo, motorists will have to continue north or south until I-40 eastbound is reopened.

To monitor the situation on the Texas Department of Transportation’s website, visit https:////www.txdot.gov

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Column: How Will Sequestration Cuts Affect New Mexico?

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Column by CATHY WIGET KING
Los Alamos

According to the information put forward on the White House website, Sequestration will cut funding to New Mexico by millions including providing fewer funds for everything from education and military bases to meals for senior citizens.

The total amount of cuts for the entire country is $85 billion.

Here are the details:

Primary Cuts:

MILITARY READINESS (Dept. of Def.): $42 million in cuts from Army base(s) ($32 mil.) and Air Force base(s) ($10 mil.) (National Laboratory cuts were not mentioned.)

EDUCATION CUTS: $6.1 million for primary and secondary Read More

I-40 Eastbound Closed Until at Least This Morning

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Police has announced that eastbound I-40 from Tramway to the Texas state line will remain closed until at least sometime this morning. This is due to severe weather conditions in Texas and Oklahoma.

The roads in New Mexico are mainly clear and passable. State Police are keeping the closure in place to accommodate the requests from law enforcement and transportation officials in Texas.

For up-to-date road conditions across the state, call the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s toll-free road hotline at 511 and check on road conditions, Read More