50th Anniversary of Equal Pay Act: New Mexico Women Make 79 Cents For Every Dollar Men Earn
Women overall and across ethnic lines continue to earn less than men. Courtesy/U.S. Census
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District is calling for Congressional action to help close the remaining wage gap between men and women.
“When the Equal Pay Act was signed in 1963, women earned 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. Now, women in New Mexico make 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, a discrepancy which affects not only women, but their families as well. While significant Read More
New Mexico Republican Politicians Land in Hoosgaw
Former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, Dr. JR Damon, Albuquerque City Counselor Janet Arnold-Jones and U.S. Rep. Steve Pierce, with New Mexico Republican Party Chair John Billingsly standing in the back, wait to bail out of the politician pokey during Saturday’s Santa Fe Federated Republican Women’s picnic. Photo by P. Orlando Baca
GOP News:
Saturday at a Santa Fe Federated Republican Women’s picnic, some prominent politicians were “arrested” on trumped up charges and thrown into a Jail called the “Politician Read More
Nancy Bartlit Receives 2013 Achievement Award
Saturday, June 8 the Democratic Party of Los Alamos celebrated the annual JFK Banquet at de Colores Restaurant in Los Alamos. More than 100 local Democrats applauded the awarding of the 2013 Achievement Award to longtime Los Alamos historian Nancy Bartlit. Photo by David GriggsLunch with a Leader: Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
Rep. Stephanie G. Richard
LWVLA News:
This month’s League of Women Voters Lunch with a Leader is 11:40 a.m. Thursday June 13 at Mesa Public Library.
Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Sandoval, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe if the featured speaker. She is a native born New Mexican who grew up in Silver City, attended Columbia as a pre-med student but graduated with a degree in political science. Besides being active in politics, she has taught in several countries, in several states, and in both public and private schools. Richard now teaches 3rd grade in Pojoaque. She lives Read More
NM Delegation Introduces Bill to Protect Special-Ed Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation have introduced a bill to protect New Mexico’s future special education funding.
This week, the Department of Education ruled that New Mexico underfunded its share of the cost of educating students with special needs for the state fiscal year 2011. It determined New Mexico did not meet its financial obligations for special education spending by $34 million.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states must maintain their share of special education spending through a “maintenance of effort” Read More
Udall and Heinrich: Prevent Fires From Downed Power Lines
Downed power line illustration. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
Udall: Americans Deserve More Transparency on Phone Record Collection
U.S. SENATE News:Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Attends National Meeting in Cincinnati
Los Alamos air service to Albuquerque continues to grow in popularity and Monday’s 6:30 a.m. flight was nearly filled to capacity. On Monday’s flight was State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, left, who took the early flight on her way to attend a national meeting in Cincinnati for legislators dealing with DOE site cleanup and other nuclear industry related issues. Garcia Richard is a member of the National Conference of State Legislators’ Nuclear Legislative Workgroup. Courtesy photo Read More
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Tours Thompson Ridge Fire Area; Meets With Residents
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties, visited the Thompson Ridge Fire area Saturday and said that it is predominately burning fuel on the forest floor and except for isolated spots, has not moved into the canopy thus far. Courtesy photo
During a tour Saturday, Sandoval County Deputy Fire Chief Jess Lewis points out to Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard the site of the Thompson Ridge Fire back burn area where a containment line is being cut just inside the Valles Caldera property line. Courtesy photo
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard with New Mexico Read More
Luján Announces $180,000 in Economic Development
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District has announced that the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District will receive $180,000 through the Economic Development Administration to assist with efforts to increase private capital investments and job creation in the region.
“A comprehensive strategy to promote economic growth is essential in the effort to attract businesses that can create jobs in the private sector,” Luján said. “These important federal funds will Read More
Governor Appoints Jim Hall to State’s IT Commission
Commissioner Jim Hall
STATE NEWS:
Gov. Susana Martinez has appointed James Hall of Los Alamos to New Mexico‘s 15-member Information Technology Commission.
New Mexico’s Information Technology Commission reviews and approves information technology plans and initiatives for the state.
“I look forward to working with the Information Technology Commission,” Hall told the Los Alamos Daily Post this morning. “The state, if it can use information technology appropriately, can create both efficiency in state government and deliver better services to the Read More
President Pays Tribute to America’s Fallen Heroes
President Obama pays tribute to America’s men and women in uniform. Courtesy/WH
WHITE HOUSE News:
WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama commemorated Memorial Day by paying tribute to the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in service to our country.
The President said that America has always risen to meet and overcome its challenges because of their brave sacrifice, and asked all Americans to honor our fallen heroes and to stand with our veterans and military families as we come together this weekend.
Access audio of the address and video of the address Read More
Luján: Republican Student Loan Bill Makes College More Expensive
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District voted today against a House Republican bill that will make it more expensive for students to attend college with federal subsidized Stafford student loans. With the interest rate on these loans set to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on June 1 action is needed to keep costs down for millions of students across the country.
“Rather than passing legislation that simply keeps interest rates on student loans where they are, House Republicans have come up with a disappointing Read More
Stakes Removed in White Rock and Reconfigured to Say No Well Drilling!
To express opposition to the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities’ proposed water well drilling plan in White Rock, someone removed survey stakes overnight and reconfigured them to read No Drilling! Courtesy photo Read More
Letter to the Editor: Perhaps Religious and Charitable Donations Shouldn’t be Tax Deductible
By DON NEEPERThurman Talley suggested (5/16/13 Los Alamos Daily Post) any 501c organization that made political contributions should lose its tax-exempt status.
Luján: To Combat Climate Change We Need a Workforce Prepared to Work in a Clean Energy Economy
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and a member of the Safe Climate Caucus spoke on the House floor last night about how enhancing green job training programs at community colleges can prepare workers for careers in a clean energy economy that helps address the impacts of climate change.
The Safe Climate Caucus, a group of Democratic members who are highlighting the need for action on climate change through daily floor speeches and other activities. Watch Luján’s speech here: http://www.lujan.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1058 Read More
Letter to the Editor: 501c4 Organizations!
501c4 Organizations! I believe the IRS should withdraw all tax exempt status from any organization which endorses any political candidate.
This should extend to other categories in addition to this particular 501c organization group, including religious and social organizations!
No 501c organization should be allowed to make contributions to PACs or to candidates. Certainly political action groups are allowed to do whatever they want but they should not be tax exempt. Any tax exempt 501c organization should make public their financial contributors!
Other Read More
In Focus Looks at Texas Water Rustling; NM Tea Party Scrutiny From IRS
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
Republicans Meet at 7 p.m. Thursday
GOP News:
All members of the Republican Party are invited to attend the Party Central Committee Meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in Room 220 at UNM-Los Alamos.
Guest speaker will be State Party Chairman John Billingsley. Accompanying him will be Bernadette Granger, one of the state headquarters staffers.
Billingsley was the campaign chairman of Steve Pearce in his bid for the U.S. Senate. Read More
Udall Addresses DOJ’s Collection of AP Records, IRS Targeting and Mineral Royalties Bill
U.S. SENATE NEWS: