Political News – Page 504

AFT New Mexico Announces Endorsements In US Senate And House Races

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 28, 2018

AFTNM President Stephanie Ly

AFT News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly and AFT NM Committee on Political Education Chair Sara Attleson released the following statements:

“We are proud to endorse Sen. Heinrich and Rep. Lujan for their 2018 re-election campaigns. AFT NM’s Committee on Political Education evaluated each candidate on their record and service to the people of New Mexico. Each of these candidates embody our values, without hesitation or reservation,” Attleson said.

Heinrich Presses Defense Secretary For Justification On Winner-Take-All Cloud Computing Contract, Urges Cyber Deterrence Strategy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 27, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― During a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing Thursday on the Department of Defense budget, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned Defense Secretary James Mattis, Under Secretary Of Defense David Norquist and Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford on ensuring transparency and justification for the Depart of Defense’s $10 billion cloud computing contract and stressed the urgency of completing and announcing a cyber deterrence strategy.

VIDEO: Heinrich Presses Defense Secretary For Justification On

Letter To The Editor: Leagues Forums Offer Opportunity For Closer Look At Candidates

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

By Barbara Calef and Becky Shankland

Co-Presidents

League of Women Voters of Los Alamos

In the June 5 primary voters who are registered as Democrats, Republicans or Libertarians will be offered the opportunity to vote for candidates in their party.

Many of the positions are uncontested within each party. For instance, although there are four open seats, there is only one Libertarian candidate for County Council.

The League of Women Voters cordially invites voters to attend two candidate forums to hear the positions of candidates who are opposed within their own party in the June Read More

Letter To The Editor: Thoughtful And Clearheaded

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

By DIANE SENIOR

Madrid, NM

District Court Judge Greg Shaffer was Santa Fe County Attorney in 2014 when the La Bajada Mesa basalt mine application came before the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

As a leading opponent of the application, I observed Greg at public hearings. In responding to questions from the BCC and the public, Greg was thoughtful and able to clearly articulate the basis for his opinions. Although I was not privy to it, his advice to the BCC appears to have been similarly thoughtful and clearheaded.

The BCC enacted a moratorium

Robinson: The FY ’19 Budget

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

By JAMES ROBINSON

Candidate for County Council

On Tuesday, April 17, the Los Alamos County Council adopted a $188 million budget for the FY ’19. I was fortunate to catch the first part of the budget hearings, but unfortunately could not make the second session due to assisting with wildlife issues in my role as chair of the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation.

First, I would like to thank the County Council and the county departments for taking the prudent step of offering a flat budget this fiscal year. Until more is known about the path of the LANL contract, and current projections gearing toward Read More

Letter To The Editor: Christine Chandler Will Work Hard In NM District 43

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

By KELLY & STEVE MYERS

Los Alamos

We would vote for Christine Chandler just based on her education, training and experience alone, but she offers so much more to her constituents in NM District 43.

Christine is incredibly intelligent and we need brains in our state government. Her legal experience is extensive, working in the legal department at LANL, serving as Probate Judge in Los Alamos County, working as a legislative analyst in Santa Fe and Washington, D.C. and leading Los Alamos County as an elected County Councilor, serving in the late 90’s and early 2000 and again from

Letter To The Editor: James Robinson For Los Alamos County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

By MIKE LATHROP

Retired LANL

I believe James Robinson would excel as a member of the County Council. My beliefs are based on extensive hours of personal contact, rather than touted credentials or experience that can be found elsewhere (http://www.vote-robinson.com/).

In 2009 I became James’ LANL Student Intern Mentor. My mentorship strategy, be it for post graduates or under graduates, has always been “sink or swim”. By assigning unfamiliar tasks, that should be obtainable, I assess my intern’s problem solving abilities. To my delight James, my only undergraduate

Miera: PED Moving To Privatize Higher Education?

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

By Rep. Rick Miera
Fmr. House Majority Leader

Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

SANTA FE – Once again, it appears that the Governor, along with the Public Education Department (PED), is using executive power to wreak havoc and destroy public education in New Mexico.

Christopher Ruszkowski, Secretary-Designate of PED, started the mischief by attacking dual-language programs, something I worked tirelessly to pass years ago. After that endeavor failed due to public outcry, he went after science standards. Ceremoniously stopped from accomplishing either of these measures, he now has a

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Attends First GOP Congressional Baseball Practice For 2018

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce at the GOP Baseball Team’s practice Wednesday in Alexandria, VA. ScreenShot/LADP

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce attended the GOP Baseball Team’s first practice Wednesday at Simpson Field in Alexandria, VA in preparation for the 2018 Congressional Baseball Game for Charity.

“Last year, tragedy struck on this very field as my colleagues and I were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. A gunman with hate in his heart opened fire on our team to cause harm and to kill. By

Native American And Faith Leaders Oppose Rollback Of BLM Methane Waste Standards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

IP&L News:

A group of Native American and faith leaders delivered a letter April 19 signed by more than 500 clergy and faith leaders from 40 states to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke opposing weakening the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Methane and Waste Prevention Rule. April 23 was the deadline for public comment on the proposal.

Methane that is leaked, vented, and flared on our shared public lands creates public health hazards, alters our climate, and wastes valuable natural gas. This letter was signed in response to the Trump administration’s recent suspension

Auditor Wayne Johnson Works With Local Acequias

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

State Auditor Wayne Johnson

STATE News:

NAMBE ― State Auditor Wayne Johnson’s office is providing audit and financial compliance training for local acequias across the state to ensure that these small but vital entities are in financial compliance with state law and eligible to receive capital funding.

The trainings, “Acequia Pathways to Funding: Financial Compliance” are meant to help acequias comply with laws that require local governmental entities to account for their receipts and expenditures of public monies.

“Acequias are a vital part of the

Balderas Secures Victory For Consumer Protection In New Mexico With Court Of Appeals Ruling In ITT Tech Case

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 26, 2018

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced that the New Mexico Court of Appeals issued an Opinion stating that New Mexico was not bound by the agreements ITT Technical Institute entered into with its students and that there is an important public policy in allowing the Attorney General to bring lawsuits against companies that violate the Unfair Practices Act (UPA).

The Court of Appeals said: “[t]he UPA represents New Mexico’s public policy in favor of preventing consumer harm and resolving

Balderas Announces Increase Uniformity And Transparency In State Rule Making Processes

Submitted by Chris Clark on April 26, 2018

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

SANTA FE ― Tuesday, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that the Office of the Attorney General has promulgated a new rule for rule making processes for government agencies across New Mexico.

With input from the public and various public bodies from across the state, the Attorney General’s default procedural rule for rulemaking establishes baseline standards for rule making processes.

“Government agencies must be transparent and accountable to the public when making the rules that govern

GOP Hosts Annual Patriots’ Day Dinner Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 25, 2018

GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos is hosting the annual Patriots’ Day Dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.

The guest speaker for the Patriots’ Day Dinner is Centerra General Manager Col. Ted Spain, USA (retired). Sometimes known as the “Sheriff of Baghdad”, Col. Spain commanded the U.S. Army Military Police in and around Baghdad during the first year of the Iraq War. He is the author of “Breaking Iraq: The Ten Mistakes that Broke Iraq”.

For more information about Col. Spain, see https://ladailypost.comcontent/sheriff-baghdad-comes-los-alamos

Senators Heinrich, Feinstein, Wyden To CIA: Refusal To Make Haspel Information Public Is ‘Unacceptable’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 25, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released the following statement about the CIA’s refusal to make public information about Gina Haspel, nominee to head the CIA.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

The senators have written multiple requests to Haspel and CIA asking for information.

“We find the CIA’s response to requests for information about Gina Haspel to be wholly inadequate. Ms. Haspel is not an undercover operative, she’s the deputy Read More

Udall, Schatz Introduce Bill To Fight Illegal Robocalls

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 25, 2018

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, introduced legislation to help the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fight illegal telemarketing calls, also known as robocalls.

The legislation, the Robocall Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2018, would empower the FCC to prosecute violations of its automated telemarketing call rules by increasing the statute of limitations from one year to three.

“Abusive robocalls aren’t just a nuisance

Council Candidate Sara Scott Hosts Meet And Greet At Ruby K’s

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 24, 2018

Los Alamos County Council candidate Sara Scott hosts a Meet and Greet this afternoon at Ruby K’s to chat with community members about the issues including local resident Amy Birnbaum. Courtesy photo Read More

Los Alamos Public Schools Ranked #1 In New Mexico’s Top School Districts Of 2018

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 24, 2018

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools is ranked #1 in New Mexico’s Top School Districts of 2018.

According to backgroundcheck.com, the best district in the state is Los Alamos Public Schools due to being rated an “A” school district and its high graduation rate of 87 percent.

The full ranking and information about their methodology can be found here: http://backgroundchecks.org/top-school-districts-in-new-mexico-2018.html

Ranked #2-5 in this list is Logan Municipal Schools, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Dora Consolidated Schools and Moriarty-Edgewood School District.

Backgroundchecks.org Read More

Equality New Mexico Announces Endorsements Of Stephanie Garcia Richard For Land Commissioner And Maggie Toulouse Oliver For Secretary Of State

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 24, 2018

ENM News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Proudly, Equality New Mexico has endorsed Maggie Toulouse Oliver for Secretary of State and Stephanie Garcia Richard for Commissioner of Public Lands.

Toulouse Oliver has been instrumental in securing rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Knowing the road to marriage equality in New Mexico led through the courts, she invited the lawsuit filed by Kim Kiel and Rose Griego, et. al. that culminated in the Supreme Court’s 2013 “Griego v. Oliver”, ruling that marriage equality should be the law of the land in our state.

Primary Election Series: Candidates Morrison, Ryti, Robinson, Scott And Izraelevitz Speak On Council Goals

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on April 24, 2018

Five of the six Democratic Primary Election candidates seeking to be their party’s nominees for four County Council seats spoke at Kiwanis recently. From left, Timothy Thomas Morrison, Randall T. Ryti, James N. Robinson, Sara C. Scott and David Izraelevitz. The sixth candidate, Quentin David Dimick, had planned to participate, but came down with strep throat and was unable to attend. Photo by Don Casperson

By CHARMIAN SCHALLER
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos

The Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos held its second Primary Election briefing recently. All six candidates seeking to be among the four Read More

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