Senate Democrats Negotiating With Governor To Salvage Capital Outlay Projects, Decide On Special Session
SANTA FE – Senate Democratic leaders, seeking to avoid a destructive showdown on capital outlay funds worth hundreds of millions of dollars for public projects across the state in 2015, are now in talks with officials from Gov. Susana Martinez’s office and Senate Republicans.
As of this afternoon, negotiations among the parties were ongoing and expected to continue. No compromise had been reached to enable capital funds to be spent next year, nor on whether a special session to resolve the issue would occur.
“All the participants of these discussions on capital outlay today recognize Read More
Sen. Heinrich Receives National Park Heritage Award
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., receives the National Park Heritage Award from the National Parks Conservation Association in Washington, D.C. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, received the National Park Heritage Award from the National Parks Conservation Association for his efforts to secure major public lands bills in the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which included the largest expansion of the National Park System Read More
Committee Passage Of Udall Bill A Big Step Closer To Law Protecting Kids From Chemicals
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement after the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 15-5 to move his bipartisan Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to the full Senate:
“I want to thank all of the members of the committee for their thoughtful consideration of our legislation to finally overhaul the failed 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. I especially want to thank Senators Whitehouse, Merkley and Booker for their work to improve key protections for consumers and to give states greater power to Read More
NMAC Gathers For Legislative Review In Hernandez
Los Alamos County Manager Harry Burgess speaking at the New Mexico Association Of Counties meeting Thursday morning in Hernandez. Photo by Eric Vasquez/valleydailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council Chair Kristin Henderson speaking at the NMAC meeting Thursday in Hernandez. Photo by Eric Vasquez/valleydailypost.com
Los Alamos County Clerk and NMAC President-elect Sharon Stover speaking at the meeting Thursday in Hernandez. Photo by Eric Vasquez/valleydailypost.com
Staff Report
The New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC) met Thursday in the Hernandez Community Center.
The Read More
Santa Fe CIR: Talk On Mexico By Roderic Ai Camp
Roderic Ai Camp
CIR News:
The Santa Fe Council on International Relations presents a World Affairs Discussion Event at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the Santa Fe Woman’s Club, 1616 Old Pecos Trail.
The topic is The Democratic Paradox in Mexico: Increasing Governability and Declining Trust in Democratic Institutions.
The speaker is Roderic Ai Camp, Philip McKenna Professor of the Pacific Rim at Claremont Mckenna College and founding member of the Advisory Board, Mexico Institute, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, Smithsonian Institution.
Professor Camp’s presentation will Read More
Heinrich Introduces Healthy Kids Outdoors Act
IRS Offers Top 10 Tax Tips
IRS News:
The IRS mails millions of notices and letters to taxpayers each year.
There are a variety of reasons why the IRS might send someone a notice.
Here are the top 10 tips to know in case a notice arrives:
- Don’t panic. You often can take care of a notice simply by responding to it.
- An IRS notice typically will be about your federal tax return or tax account. It will be about a specific issue, such as changes to your account. It may ask you for more information. It could also explain that you owe tax and that you need to pay the amount that is due.
- Each notice has specific instructions, so read it carefully.
Jemez Valley School Board Won’t Renew Contract For Superintendent Jerald E. Snider
JVPS News:
The Jemez Valley Board of Education has voted unanimously to not renew the contract for Superintendent Jerald E. Snider.
In an email sent to parents, Superintendent Snider writes:
To the Jemez Valley School Board and Community,
No doubt by now you have heard that the three attending members of the Jemez Valley Public School Board unanimously elected to not renew my contract for the upcoming school year; the reason for this action was not given.
While the method of its actions concern me, it is clear that the School Board requires a change in leadership for the Jemez Valley Public Schools Read More
Letter To The Editor: The Poison On The Tip Of The Veto Pen
I am once again astonished at how little attention is given by the mainstream press in this city to the damage that is done by the veto pen.
Instead of simply working out the arithmetic of how many vetoes are exercised by the Governor or how that percentage of nullifying actions compares to previous Governors’ vetoes, it would be refreshing, and a genuine contribution to the enlightenment of the voting public if the Journal, for example, would actually write about what damage those vetoes have done.
Of course one person’s “damage”
Heinrich Introduces Bill To Streamline Approval Of New Energy Transmission Projects To Help Modernize Grid
SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced a bill today, S. 1017, to amend the 80-year-old Federal Power Act to provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) narrow authority to approve and site new priority electric transmission lines in cases where local or state approval processes have been unsuccessful.
Ensuring that transmission projects get timely regulatory approvals, especially when there are multiple jurisdictions involved, is critical to building a robust 21st
Los Alamos County Environmental Services Nominated For 2015 Secretary Of Defense Freedom Award
Los Alamos County Environmental Services was nominated for the prestigious 2015 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award. Councilor Rick Reiss, third from left, Public Works Director Philo Shelton, second from right, and Environmental Services Manager Angelica Gurule with Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, attended the Awards and Recognition Luncheon today hosted by the New Mexico Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at the National Guard Readiness Center. ‘Although we did not receive the award, it is with great honor that we support our the Guard and Reserves as they protect our Read More
‘Open Forum’ Question Posted: Proposed Plastic Bag Ban
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council has received a citizen petition to ban plastic bag use in stores.
The Council referred the petition to their Environmental Sustainability Board and asked that Board to hold public meetings and seek additional public feedback.
What do you think? For or against?
Take their survey on line and leave your comments for the Board when you visit Open Forum, the County’s public comment tool, on this link: http://www.losalamosnm.us/gov/Pages/PublicCommentForum.aspx Read More
Loretta Lynch Confirmed As U.S. Attorney General
Loretta Lynch
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today confirmed Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General by a vote of 56 to 43. She is the first woman of color to hold the position.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., released the following statement after voting to confirm Lynch to be the next United States Attorney General:
“Loretta Lynch’s impressive legal career and commitment to justice will make her an outstanding Attorney General. She is intelligent, fair, and an admired public servant. It’s embarrassing that her confirmation process Read More
Gibson Urges Council: Don’t Rubber Stamp Budget
Former Los Alamos County Councilor Robert Gibson to Council Monday evening, ‘Please do not rubber stamp the proposed budget.’ Photo by Carol A.Clark/ladailypost.com
During Monday’s opening night of the FY-2016 Budget Hearings in Council Chambers, former County Councilor Robert Gibson addressed the County Council during public comment and urged them to carefully considered all of the elements in the proposed budget and not just rubber stamp it.
Gibson began his comments by acknowledging the budget staff’s “usual Read More
No Child Left Behind Reform Bill Includes NM Priorities
U.S. SENATE News:
- ‘We must make sure these resources reach all students, especially those who need them most to succeed’ –Sen. Tom Udall
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced Wednesday that several of the priorities he has championed for New Mexico students have been included in the Every Child Achieves Act.
The bill, which the full Senate will debate in the coming months, reforms and updates No Child Left Behind to improve access to a high-quality K-12 education.
The Every Child Achieves Act, which was approved unanimously by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Read More
Council Rejects Truck Request From Los Alamos Sheriff
Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero briefs Council on his deparment at Monday’s Budget Hearing. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Speaking as a citizen during public comment Monday evening, Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Deputy John Horne addresses Council. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Los Alamos County Council voted 5-2 Tuesday evening to deny a request from Sheriff Marco Lucero for an official vehicle. Lucero explained that he has driven his personal vehicle during his first four year term and in the four months of his second term. Councilors Read More
Udall: Celebrate Earth Day By Committing To Pass Meaningful Chemical Safety Reform
U.S. SENATE News:
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/lEvloqK0aLI
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall urged Congress to make it a priority to pass meaningful chemical safety reform into law this year.
Momentum is continuing to build for Udall’s bipartisan bill to overhaul the nation’s broken chemical safety law, the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. Udall’s legislation has 21 cosponsors from across the political spectrum, and a parallel bipartisan effort is underway in the U.S. Read More
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján Statement On Earth Day
Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement in celebration of Earth Day.
“For 45 years, Earth Day has brought together communities and individuals from around the world to advocate for a cleaner, healthier and sustainable future. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, we have seen important progress – making our air and water cleaner, combating acid raid, and growing our use of renewable energy. We must continue to build on these successes, and to address the pressing issue of climate change Read More
Udall Presses VA Secretary McDonald On Wait Times For NM Veterans, Efforts To Improve Care
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― April 15, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs subcommittee, met with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald to discuss the VA’s ongoing efforts to improve care for veterans in the wake of the appointment scheduling scandal that has affected the Albuquerque VA and other clinics in
Heinrich Meets With Young Native Leaders, Commends Their Work In Tribal Communities
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. met with young Native leaders from Americans for Indian Opportunity’s (AIO) Ambassadors Program April 15.
The program is a premier