Political News

U.S. Rep. Lujan Grisham Highlights Positive Effects Of Medicaid Expansion

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., marked the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by highlighting how hundreds of thousands of New Mexico families are benefiting from the expansion of Medicaid.

An additional 230,000 New Mexicans have gained health coverage through Medicaid and the federal children’s health insurance program – a 50-percent increase over 18 months.

“I am pushing Congress to make needed improvements to the Affordable Care Act so health care is more accessible to average families,” Lujan Read More

Heinrich, Udall Introduce Bill To Boost Funding For Laboratory Directed R&D Program

U.S. SENTATE News:

  • LDRD program advances frontiers of science and engineering, invests in critical national security missions, helps recruit and retain staff for national laboratories

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Tom Udall, D-N.M. introduced S.830, the LDRD Enhancement Act of 2015, a bill to increase the maximum percentage each laboratory director may set aside for Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) from 6 to 10 percent of the lab’s budget.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s discretionary LDRD program advances the Read More

Udall On Fifth Anniversary Of Affordable Care Act

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:            
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being signed into law:
 
“Five years ago today, hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans had no access to health insurance. Our state had one of the highest rates of uninsured, and among the highest rates for chronic disease. Many New Mexicans couldn’t afford to see a doctor when they or their children got sick. They didn’t have access
Read More

Udall Warns About Scam Targeting Taxpayers

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall warned consumers about a phone scam targeting thousands of taxpayers in New Mexico and throughout the country, and encouraged taxpayers to exercise caution when providing personal information solicited over the phone or online. 

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), criminals are targeting taxpayers throughout the country with an aggressive and sophisticated impersonation scam. Callers claim to be IRS employees, often using fake names and caller ID that may make it appear as though their call Read More

Capital Outlay Bill Dies As Legislature Adjourns

House Floor on Saturday during debate of SB 159. Courtesy photo

Staff Report:

SANTA FE – At noon Saturday, the 2015 New Mexico legislative session came to an end as the constitutionally allotted 60 days expired. 

Once legislators adjourned, all uncompleted legislation died. This year’s legislative session saw a Republican majority take control of the House of Representatives for the first time in six decades.

This change in party control meant little to most New Mexicans and there were signs of bipartisan cooperation as the Legislature passed a $6.2 billion budget for next year’s Read More

SFCIR: Dr. Nakhleh To Speak On ISIS And The Aftermath Of The Arab Spring – Threats And Challenges

Dr. Emile Nakhleh

SFCIR News:

The Santa Fe Council on International Relations presents a World Affairs Discussion Event “ISIS and the Aftermath of the Arab Spring: Threats and Challenges” by speaker Emile Nakhleh at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

The event is hosted at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design, in the Forum, 1600 St. Michael’s Dr., and the cost is $15 for CIR members; $20 for non-members and guests, and qualified students with appropriate I.D. are welcome to attend this event for free.

Dr. Nakhlehretired is a Senior Intelligence Service Officer (SIS-3), Research Read More

NM REIA Enters PNM Rate Case To Protect ‘Rooftop’ Customer Sited Solar Projects And Jobs It Creates

REIA News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Renewable Energy Industries Association – New Mexico (REIA) has filed with the Public Regulation Commission to intervene in the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) rate case, in which the utility seeks to raise electricity rates approximately 12 percent. 

REIA’s interest in the case is PNM’s request for approval to add a monthly interconnection fee (access fee) to the bills of owners of rooftop solar systems and to eliminate those customers’ ability to carry forward excess generation on their bills, or “bank” that energy for use in winter months. Read More

Rio Grande Trail Bill Goes To Governor’s Desk

Rep. Jeff Steinborn

STATE News:

  • Legislation creates a commission to develop the Rio Grande Trail

SANTA FE – House Bill 563, “Rio Grande Trail Commission” sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces has passed in the Senate.

The bill now goes to the Governor for approval. Governor Martinez has already expressed support for creation of the Trail, stating in a news release that it would be a historic achievement for New Mexico.

HB 563 would create the Rio Grande Trail Commission to study and recommend the best paths for a new Rio Grande Trail. The Commission would coordinate with the many stakeholders Read More

Senate Breaks Impasse On Immigrants’ Drivers Licenses

STATE News:

  • Strongly Bipartisan Compromise Bill Passes Senate On 35-5 Vote

SANTA Fe – With the broad support of both Democrats and Republican members, the New Mexico Senate today passed compromise legislation that successfully resolves the complex issue of undocumented immigrants drivers’ licenses and state compliance with the federal REAL ID law.

The compromise was hammered out by two of the Senate’s most respected leaders, Republican Floor Leader Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Chaves, Curry, and Finance Committee Chairman, Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Luna. Senate Bill 653 (SB 653) Read More

LANL Foundation ISEC Staff And Students Demonstrate Inquiry Science Kits At Roundhouse

LANL Foundation Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC) staff and student scientists demonstrated inquiry science kits to visitors at the Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse this week. Young scientist Jakob Warniment assists New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera with a microscope from the Microworlds science kit. Standing in back from left, ISEC Director of Professional Development and Evaluation Gwen Warniment, LANL Foundation CEO Jenny Parks and ISEC Program Director Dorothy Sanchez. Courtesy photo

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard recognized the success of the Inquiry Science Read More

Bill To Significantly Boost New Mexico Businesses Passes Senate Floor

Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla

SANTA FE – Senate Bill 69 (SB 69), also known as the Resident Business Set-Aside Act, has passed the Senate floor. SB 69 is designed to build the local economy and create more jobs for New Mexicans by proposing that 33 percent of certain state contracts go to resident businesses.

Bill sponsor, Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo, said he is delighted about the support the bill has received in the Legislature and from the public.

“This week, the Senate passed a bill that is important to our state. It’s time we start taking care of local business Read More

Udall, Heinrich Announce $5.6 Million in Federal Funding For Early Childhood Education

U.S. Senate News:

Senators Tom Udall, D-N.M. and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. announced Thursday $5.6 million in federal grant funding to Eastern Plains Community Action Agency and La Clinica de Familia for early childhood education programs.

Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grants are offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow new or existing Early Head Start programs to partner with local child care centers and family child care providers serving infants and toddlers from low-income families.

“Improving child well-being in New Mexico is one Read More

Legislation To Ensure Coverage Of Treatment For Brain Injuries Passes House

Rep. Deborah Armstrong

STATE News:

HB 556, a bill introduced by Rep. Deborah Armstrong to ensure that health care services needed by patients dealing with traumatic brain injuries are covered by insurance plans, unanimously passed New Mexico House of Representatives Wednesday and is now on its way to the Senate.

“Traumatic brain injuries can be debilitating health issues that, until recently, we have had limited means of treating,” Armstrong said. “Today, with advancements in health care and science, there is more and more that can be done to help these patients recover and live better lives Read More

Heinrich, Udall Commemorate 70th Anniversary Of White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range Museum Park. Courtesy/delange.org

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Wednesday,  U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Tom Udall, D-N.M. introduced a resolution to commemorate the 70th anniversary of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in September 2015. The resolution recognizes WSMR’s unique place in history and its national security importance.

“White Sands Missile Range’s mission remains as pertinent to national security today as it was in 1945. It is the premier research, development, test, and evaluation facility, and Read More

Los Alamos County’s Allison Majure Lands Top Communications Post At NMED

Allison Majure, the new communications director for the New Mexico Environment Department, paid a visit to the Los Alamos Daily Post headquarters in downtown Los Alamos last week following her final day of work at the County. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

NMED News:

SANTA FE New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ryan Flynn announced today the appointment of Allison Scott Majure of Los Alamos to the post of Communications Director.  

“Ms. Majure’s background in municipal utilities, software marketing, journalism, and nonprofit communications brings both depth Read More

Senators Introduce Bill To Establish Microlabs

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U. S. Senators Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced S. 784, the Microlab Technology Commercialization Act, a bill to accelerate technology transfer by establishing off-campus microlabs that would serve as the “front-door” to national laboratories.

The microlabs would give academia, local government, businesses owners, and communities direct access to equipment, facilities, and personnel of national laboratories. 

“Scientists Read More

NNSA Releases Stockpile Stewardship & Mgmt. Plan

NNSA Administrator (Ret.) Gen. Frank G. Klotz

NNSA News:

  • Annual Report Provides Insight into Vital National Security Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has released its Fiscal Year 2016 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP).

The FY16 SSMP documents NNSA’s 25-year strategic plan for accomplishing its core stockpile stewardship mission area of maintaining the safety, security and effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile without nuclear testing.  It also describes NNSA’s phased approach to maintaining Read More

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s Bill To Protect Local Small Businesses Heads To Governor’s Office

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Senate unanimously passed (37-0) Wednesday Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s House Bill 130, the state procurement code legislation that increases transparency within the contract bidding process to protect local small businesses. 

HB 130 recently passed unanimously on the House floor and is now headed to the Governor’s desk where she will have 20 days to sign or veto the legislation.

“HB 130 is a critical step  in protecting our small businesses throughout the Read More

Luján Announces Annual Congressional Art Competition

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
Congressional News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District has announced details for this year’s Congressional Art Competition.
 
This annual competition allows members of Congress to display the talent and creativity of their high school constituents. The winning entry from each Congressional district will be displayed as part of an exhibit in the United States Capitol for one year. The winner will travel to Washington, D.C. for a reception honoring the national winners.
 
“The Congressional
Read More

Governor Susana Martinez Acts On Legislation

Gov. Susana Martinez

STATE News:

SANTA FE—Today, Gov. Susana Martinez signed legislation to improve efficiency and cost savings for taxpayers and local governments in property tax correspondence.

House Bill 49, sponsored by Rep. Bob Wooley, R-Roswell, allows for email correspondence between taxpayers and their county assessors and treasurers instead of first class mail. This will help taxpayers and counties save money on postage, as well as reduce the time taxpayers need to respond to notices.

Governor Martinez also acted on the following legislation:

House Bill 379 – Racehorse Drug Read More

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