Rep. Christine Chandler Shares Successes And Challenges Of 60-Day Legislative Session With Los Alamos Rotarians
New Mexico State Rep. Christine Chandler speaking at the April 25 meeting of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos at Cottonwood on the Greens. During her presentation, Rep. Chandler shared the successes and challenges of the recent 60-day legislative session. She is completing her third term as Representative for House District 43, which includes all of Los Alamos County and parts of Sandoval and Santa Fe Counties. She chairs the House Judiciary Committee and is a member of the House Tax Committee. Prior to her election to the New Mexico legislature, Rep. Chandler was a Los Alamos County Councilor and Read More
State Announces New Online Portal For New Mexicans To Access Child Support Services
HSD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) today launched a new website for parents and employers to access the state’s child support program.
YES.NM.GOV makes it easier for parents and guardians to complete child support applications and manage their cases. YES.NM.GOV also makes it easier for employers to assist parents with their child support obligations.
The new user-friendly and customer-oriented website was built based on direct feedback from parents and employers participating in the program. Parents and guardians can manage their support payments, Read More
Video: Chair Denise Derkacs Discusses FY24 County Budget
Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs gives a briefing on the recent FY2024 Budget Hearings held in Council Chambers. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Introduces Medicare Price Negotiation Legislation To Lower Prescription Drug Costs
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and 22 of their colleagues to introduce legislation to boost Medicare negotiation of drug prices to lower prescription drug costs for consumers.
The Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act would give the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) enhanced authority to negotiate for Medicare Part D.
“Last year, I was proud to join my Democratic colleagues as we took an important step to lower health Read More
Lujan Grisham Issues Statement On Passing Of Former New Mexico Gov. Jerry Apodaca
Former New Mexico Gov. Jerry Apodaca
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement following the passing of former New Mexico Gov. Jerry Apodaca Wednesday:
“I am saddened to hear of the passing of former Gov. Jerry Apodaca. As the state’s first Hispanic governor, he paved the way for more New Mexicans to enter public office, making sure that our diversity is better represented in our leadership.
“He was also a stalwart advocate for the rights of patients and was instrumental in the creation of the state’s first medical cannabis program nearly half a century Read More
Council Takes Action On ‘Parking Lot’ Items For FY24 Budget
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council returned at its meeting Monday night to several budget items placed on the “parking lot” during the FY2024 budget hearing.
Regarding the proposed position for a Human Resources analyst, Council approved the position for $106,741 and an Administrative Services Director (ASD) position for $242,997.
County Council ultimately adopted these while reducing the ASD Special Pay Fund to be used for upcoming retirements by $500,000.
Finally, while discussing the proposed tennis courts capital improvement project, council voted to retain athletic court Read More
Gessing: New Mexico’s Misguided Approach To Economic Development
By PAUL J. GESSING
Rio Grande Foundation
In her message in which she explained her veto of large portions of the Legislature-passed tax bill, Gov. Lujan Grisham wrote, “Although HB 547 has many laudable tax reform measures, I have grave concerns about the sustainability of this tax package as a whole.”
She wrote this while the State of New Mexico sits on a $3.6 billion budget surplus thanks to oil and gas revenues (a boom that shows no signs of slowing down). She also signed a 14 percent budget increase which grew the size of government by $1.2 billion and included everything from increased film subsidies Read More
LA Federated Republican Women Host Star Spangled Tea
Local author Shirley Raye Redmond shared stories about World War II women heroes included in a new book she is working on. Courtesy/LAFRW
LAFRW News:
On Saturday April 22, 2023 more than 50 Republican Women enjoyed tea and delicious cooked items at a Star Spangled Tea held in Los Alamos.
Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) members Dianne Coane opened the event and welcomed everyone. Mary Wilhoit gave an opening prayer and Marie Tobin and Cathy Walters led the flag salute.
Shirley Raye Redmond, a local celebrity, author and patriot was the guest speaker. She shared amazing stories Read More
Council Approves County’s $382 Million FY24 Budget
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved the County’s $382,081,801 FY24 budget during Monday night’s budget hearing in Council Chambers.
Regarding the proposal to raise the gross receipt tax (GRT) by .5 percent, Council voted 5-2, with Councilors Randall Ryti and David Reagor in opposition, to have the County Manager present two ordinances for council’s consideration to raise the GRT by .5 precent starting in January 2024 or start the .5 percent increase in July 2024. Read More
Council Tentatively OKs CIP’s Proposed $74M FY24 Budget
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council voted 5-2, with Councilors David Reagor and Randall Ryti opposed, to tentatively approve the proposed $74,553,922 FY23 budget for capital improvement projects.
The tentative approval was made during Monday night’s budget hearing.
The proposed budget for athletic field renovations was placed on the “parking lot” to be discussed later. Read More
Canceled: April 25 County Council Special Session
Council Tentatively OKs Public Works $60.9M FY24 Budget
Los Alamos County Public Works Director Juan Raul presents his department’s proposed FY24 budget to County Council during Monday night’s FY24 budget hearing. Council unanimously voted to tentatively approve the Public Work’s $60,911,216 budget along with the addition of two limited-term fulltime Project Manager positions. Screenshot/LADP Read More
NNSA Delivers 2023 Stockpile Stewardship And Management Plan To Congress
NNSA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Monday, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration released the Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan for Fiscal Year 2023.
This report describes NNSA’s plans to implement the Biden Administration’s 2022 Nuclear Posture Review by maintaining a safe, secure, reliable, and effective nuclear weapons stockpile, without the need for nuclear explosive testing and while revitalizing the nuclear security enterprise.
This year’s SSMP details efforts to accomplish program requirements including producing 80 plutonium pits per Read More
Council Tentatively Oks DPU’s $115 Million+ FY24 Budget
Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Deputy Manager for Finance and Administration Heather Garcia and Deputy Utility Manager For Engineering Division James Alarid present the FY24 proposed budget for DPU to County Council during Monday night’s budget hearing. Council unanimously voted to tentatively approve the $115,367,890 budget as well as one limited term fulltime position for a GWS apprentice. Council further tentatively approved several budget options including $421,816 and $411,980 for two projects addressing the water infrastructure along Rose Street, Read More
Council Tentatively Oks FY24 Non-Departmental Budget
Staff Report:
Los Alamos County Council voted unanimously during tonight’s budget hearing to tentatively approve the nondepartmental budget for FY24 that totals $7,426,446.
Council also approved a $3,400,000 budget option for a salary plan to address employee retention and recruitment as well as a market study and compression impacts. Read More
Rep. Stansbury Announces Millions In Funding Submissions For New Mexico
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As communities across New Mexico face interconnected challenges with public safety, affordable housing, education and economic development, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) announced her selections for 15 congressionally Community Funded Projects, totaling $53.1 million, which she submitted for consideration in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
Rep. Stansbury chose the projects after holding hundreds of community-based meetings across New Mexico’s First Congressional District and extensive consultation Read More
West Road To Close For Utility Repair Tuesday-Thursday
Map Courtesy/LAC
Map Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
A portion of West Road will be closed Tuesday through Thursday this week for an emergency utility repair.
Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) crews will be repairing a broken non-potable water line in the center of the road. West Road traffic will be stopped south of Fairway Drive down to Omega Road at the overflow Los Alamos County Ice Rink parking lot.
The ice rink, Los Alamos Reservoir and Camp May will be accessible from the west. Anyone wishing to access those areas from Los Alamos will need to drive through the Los Alamos National Read More
Op/Ed: ‘Devoted To Parking’ – Policies That Hurt Our Town
By STEPHANIE NAKHLEH
Los Alamos Planning and Zoning Commissioner
This is the second op-ed I’m writing on downtown revitalization, an issue that is coming before Los Alamos County Council Tuesday, May 2.
My focus here is urging Council to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous recommendation on gently reducing parking mandates. (The first op-ed looks into the issue of building heights.)
If residents of Los Alamos are tired of the drab/depressing downtown with its ocean of empty parking lots and vacant buildings, and want to see that area instead filled with housing and retail, Read More
Reagor: Response To Public’s Questions About GRT
By DAVID REAGOR
Los Alamos County Councilor
The public has been asking questions about the GRT.
Here is a summary of the questions and my answers.
Please contact me at davidreagor@gmail.com if you have any comments or questions.
Is GRT going to pay for broadband?
- Answer: No
How much is broadband going to cost?
- Answer: LAC staff estimate 35M$, but many technical choices have not been made.
How will the bill get paid?
- Answer: The initial cost will be funded with a general obligation bond. The long term is yet to be decided. We should use our taxes and fees to pay for this bond when the time arises.
Governor Approves Record Investments For New Mexico Higher Education In 2023
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — Fully-funded tuition-free college through the Opportunity Scholarship and increased funding for workforce education programs are included in the $1.21 billion higher education budget approved by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for fiscal year 2024.
The FY24 budget more than doubles last year’s investment in higher education with $187.1 million in additional recurring funds and significant portions of the budget going toward programs that directly benefit New Mexicans. This year’s budget marks one of the largest investments in higher education in state history at Read More