State

HB 579 Restricts Animal Traps and Poisons

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Bobby Gonzales (D-Taos-42) has introduced House Bill 579, the “New Mexico Wildlife Protection and Public Safety Act,” which would restrict the use of traps and poisons across New Mexico.

Gonzales said he believes reform of New Mexico’s wildlife management policies is key to making New Mexico competitive for tourist dollars.

“While we struggle with enhancing New Mexico’s economic development, it’s to our advantage to make our fabulous outdoor recreational destinations safe and enjoyable for our residents, for tourists and visitors. Having anyone Read More

State Transportation Commission Meeting in Albuquerque

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – The governor-appointed commission that determines policy for the New Mexico Department of Transportation will meet Feb. 21 in Albuquerque. 

The six member State Transportation Commission meets monthly to get updates from the NMDOT on its activities and how the commission and the department can enhance the state’s transportation system.

The public meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at The Mid-Region Council of Governments building at 809 Copper Avenue, NW.  

Items on the agenda include:

  • Presentations by Bernalillo County officials concerning transportation needs
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State House Highlights: Feb. 9-15

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STATE News:

On the Floor

  • House Joint Memorial 19, sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey (D-Bernalillo-18), went to the House floor for a final vote today. HJM 19, the “J. Paul Taylor Early Childhood Task Force,” honors former Rep. J. Paul Taylor of District 33. The memorial creates a task force to improve collaboration among early childhood development stakeholders, aiming to prevent child abuse and help invisible, unserved, and underserved at-risk infants and children. The joint memorial passed by a vote of 37-23.
  • House Joint Memorial 24 as amended by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee
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Senators Challenge Postal Plan to End Saturday Delivery

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U.S. SENATE News:
  • Unauthorized proposal would hurt rural communities, cost jobs
 
WASHINGTON – Twenty-four senators, led by Tom Udall of New Mexico, are challenging the postmaster general’s authority to discontinue Saturday mail delivery later this year without congressional approval.
 
In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, the senators acknowledge the financial challenges the Postal Service is facing and urge him to work with Congress to address these problems through bipartisan reform, such as the Senate legislation passed last year.
 
They also point
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Udall to Address New Mexico Legislature

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STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Sen. Tom Udall will address the New Mexico Legislature at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, and also make visits to Sandia National Labs and New Mexico State University.

Udall will be at the Roundhouse on President’s Day to deliver a biennial address to the New Mexico Legislature, entitled “Challenges and Opportunities.”
 
Tuesday, Feb. 19, he will be delivering the keynote address at the Sandia National Laboratories’ Cyber Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) open house. Following the speech, he will tour the facility for demonstrations
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Senators Launch Effort to Employ Youth for Restoring Public Lands

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Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich Friday reintroduced legislation to expand job training and educational opportunities for youth, while helping repair and restore the country’s public lands.
 
The Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2013 improves on the existing Public Lands Corps by expanding the scope of projects to reflect new challenges. It would also add incentives to attract new participants, including Native Americans and veterans, that suffer from disproportionately high rates of unemployment.
 
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‘New Mexico in Focus’ Tackles Future of National Labs

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PBS News:

“New Mexico in Focus,” New Mexico PBS’ prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues and people shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest will take on an issue of special interest to Los Alamos this week.

One of the three topics to be discussed on the show is the Implications of a reduced nuclear stockpile and the future of New Mexico’s National Laboratories.

Does their mission need to change? How can the labs Influence that role?

The program will also focus on the latest New Mexico legislative efforts on education and water issues.

Hosted by Gene Grant, “New Mexico in Focus” Read More

Udall Recruits Applicants for Senate Office Internships

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

Staff Report:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall invites New Mexico college students interested in gaining legislative or press relations experience to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Carlsbad offices.
 
To apply online, visit Udall’s website at www.tomudall.senate.gov.  
 
Washington internships have two summer sessions: May 28–June 28 and July 1–Aug. 2. The deadline to apply for the 2013 D.C. summer sessions is Sunday, March 17. 
 
Placements in New Mexico offices are available
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‘Land, Water, People, Time’ Feb. 21 at Reel Deal

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PEEC News:

Explore the culture and history of Northern New Mexico with an award-winning documentary film, “Land, Water, People, Time.”

The showing is sponsored by PEEC and sheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Reel Deal Theater. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The movie was filmed across 10,000 square miles by New Meixo filmmakers David Lindblom, Cynthia Jeannette Gomez and Daniel Valerio.

It tells truly authentic stories that explore some of the modern challenges and tragedies of cultural and environmental losses, as well as hope, for preservation Read More

Bill Introduced to Empower School Districts to Reform Failing Charter Schools

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Rep. Nate Cote

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Nate Cote (D-Doña Ana, Otero-53), has introduced House Bill 453, which will empower school boards to establish corrective action for district charter schools with unsatisfactory audit findings.

HD 453 establishes a process for school districts to make recommendations for reform of charter schools following special or annual audits.

If following a second audit it is determined that the failings of the charter school have not been corrected, school districts would have the ability to transfer charters to the state.

Currently school districts Read More