Chandler: Let’s Push Back…
By GEORGE CHANDLER
Los Alamos
When I came to the Lab 49 years ago, a popular aphorism posted on the walls in group offices where reports and documents were put into final form by overworked typists said, “A failure to plan on your part does not constitute a crisis on my part.” Los Alamos County might post such a sign on the Omega Bridge.
The 2016 Comprehensive Plan notes a housing shortage and anticipates population growth driven by the laboratory. The unilateral decision by NNSA to turn a scientific laboratory into a manufacturing plant has accelerated that growth to wholly unanticipated levels. Read More
Scenes Of Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Addressing State Convention Of League Of Women Voters
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard addresses the State Convention of the League of Women Voters held Saturday evening at Pig & Fig Café in White Rock. Courtesy photo
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, center, addressed the State Convention of the League of Women Voters held Saturday evening at Pig & Fig Café in White Rock. Pictured with Garcia Richard are Pig & Fig Café owner Laura Crucet in red chef’s attire and a representative to convention from Los Alamos, Karyl Ann Armbruster. Courtesy photo Read More
Op-Ed: Modern Climate Science Is Junk Science
By Stephen McLinMost of us are keenly aware of numerous climate prophecies appearing in the media. In some ways they are recycled versions of the old doom-and-gloom outlook borrowed from economics. These climatic predictions are based on computer simulations that have enormous shortcomings, including a glaring lack of agreement with long-term climatic observations.
Kevin Trenberth, former head of modeling at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., has implied on numerous occasions that these modeling simulations contain significant uncertainties Read More
Local Democrats Participate In Clean Up Los Alamos 2023
Standing from left, County Assessor George Chandler, Janet Harris, Terry and David Izraelevitz, County Council Vice Chair Teresa Cull and Councilor Randall Ryti and local Democratic Party Ward Chair Michael Dolejsi. Courtesy/DPLA
DPLAC News:
Several local Democrats answered the call to civic service during Clean Up Los Alamos 2023 and spent this morning picking up trash around the Los Alamos Coop Market, N.M. 502, and local trails.
Interesting items picked up included a discarded Manhattan Project National Historical Park large car magnet. Read More
Stansbury To Convene Homelessness & Housing Providers
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Less than a week after House Republicans passed a budget that slashes federal funding for housing and homelessness resources, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) will convene a roundtable and press conference at 10:30 a.m. MT, Tuesday, May 2, at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless.
Rep. Stansbury will convene homelessness and housing providers who she funded through the FY 2023 omnibus spending bill and FY 2024 Community Project Funding designees to highlight the impact these cuts would have on New Mexicans.
Rep. Stansbury recently submitted requests Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham To Pursue Anti-Hazing Legislation
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement following the filing of another lawsuit against a public higher education institution related to sexual abuse:
“I am appalled by the allegations at New Mexico public universities involving hazing and abuse – outrage doesn’t go far enough. It is the responsibility of higher education leadership and governing boards to establish a safe, healthy environment for students, and I’m incredibly disappointed that it does not appear to be a priority at some of the state’s public colleges and universities. Read More
County Historic Preservation Advisory Board Meets May 3
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Historic Preservation Advisory Board meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3 in room 110 at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda packet is accessible on the County’s Boards and Commissions website. Also, hard copies are available within the Community Development lobby. Read More
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