Political News – Page 562

Local GOP Holds Special Meeting Aug. 10

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2017

GOP News:

A special Republican Party of Los Alamos County Central Committee Meeting is being called for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 at UNM-LA, Bldg. 5, Jeannette Wallace Hall.

The purpose of this meeting is to fill vacancies that exist on the County Central Committee, the State Central Committee and to elect a 1st Vice Chair.

All Los Alamos County registered Republicans are encouraged to attend.

Those with interest or questions regarding filling a vacancy in their Ward that would allow them to serve on the RPLA County Central Committee, the RPNM State Central Committee, or run for RPLA 1st vice chair,

NMED To Administer $18 Million In Volkswagen Smog Device Software Settlement Funds

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2017

NMED News:

SANTA FE ― The state of New Mexico is slated to receive approximately $18 million in settlement funds following resolution of the Volkswagen smog device emissions scandal.

The scandal involved embedded software in more than 500,000 vehicles’ electronics that allowed Volkswagen’s cars to emit up to 40 times the legally allowed amount of nitrogen oxide while appearing in tests to be within the limit.

The New Mexico Environment Department is named as the state’s lead agency for disbursing the approximately $18 million in settlement

State GOP Announces Additions, Changes To Party Staff

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2017

RPNM News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Republican Party of New Mexico Chair Ryan Cangiolosi has announced changes and additions to party staff.

Michael Horanburg has been hired as director of Outreach and Political Operations. Additionally, James Clarke, who was previously serving as deputy political director, has been named director of Political Strategy. Dominic Pacheco also has been named interim communications director and finance director.

Horanburg previously worked for the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action as southwest field coordinator, and

Public Interest Organizations File Lawsuit Against New Nuclear Bomb Plant

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2017

OREPA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA), Nuclear Watch New Mexico, and the Natural Resources Defense Council filed a federal lawsuit July 20, to stop construction of the problem-plagued Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) until a legally required environmental review is completed.

The UPF at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Y-12 production plant near Oak Ridge, Tenn., is slated to produce new thermonuclear weapons components until the year 2080. The UPF is the tip of the spear for the U.S.’s planned one trillion

Letter To The Editor: Pearce And Infrastructure Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 26, 2017

By EDWARD BIRNBAUM

Los Alamos

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce claims, in a recent Los Alamos Daily Post news release (link), that his vote for H.R. 2910 is a vote for reducing the bureaucracy associated with approving construction of oil and gas pipelines. However, the dissent expressed by the Ranking Member on the Committee that considered this legislation, Frank Pallone, Jr., and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy, Bobby L. Rush, summarized some important problems associated with the bill, which were ignored in Rep. Pearce’s statement, as quoted below.

“H.R. 2910 short Read More

AG Balderas, Sheriff Gonzales, HSI & APD Announce Seven Arrests In Underage Human Trafficking Operation

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 25, 2017

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― July 21, Attorney General Hector Balderas, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales, Homeland Security Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department announced the successful result of a joint operation targeting commercial sex trafficking of minors in Albuquerque.

Seven men were arrested this week in Albuquerque during the operation for soliciting sex with someone they believed to be a 15-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover BCSO deputy. The men all attempted to pay $40 to $200 to have sex with 15-year-old girls.

The

Udall, Heinrich Cosponsor Bill To Block Inhumane Immigration Roundups At Sensitive Locations

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 25, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced Monday that they are cosponsoring legislation to prevent immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations at sensitive locations like elementary schools where parents are dropping off their children, health care centers that provide critical services to the community, or places of worship without prior approval and exigent circumstances.

The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act codifies the Department of Homeland Security’s existing policies

County Council Holds Special Session Wednesday

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on July 24, 2017

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council will meet in a special session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.

Agenda:

1. OPENING/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. COUNCIL BUSINESS

A. Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 17-08; A Resolution Amending Certain Parts of Resolution 16-10 Regarding the Duties of the Los Alamos County Police Department and the Duties of the Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Department. Presenters: Councilor Pete Sheehey

6. PUBLIC COMMENT Read More

Racial Justice Group: FCC Protect Net Neutrality!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2017

INTERNET News:

NEW YORK ― Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, issued the following statement on the comments they filed July 19 with the Federal Communications Commission, urging the agency to preserve net neutrality.

Executive Director of Color Of Change Rashad Robinson:

“Chairman Pai’s proposal to gut the FCC’s net neutrality rules will be devastating for Black communities. It will set us back from a historic achievement: for the first time in history we can now communicate with a global audience — for entertainment,

Public Notice: Class 3 Permit Modification Request And Public Meeting, Settlement Agreement 10-01251

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 24, 2017

Public Notice:

Class 3 Permit Modification Request and Public Meeting, Settlement Agreement 10-01251

Los Alamos National Laboratory Hazardous Waste Facility Permit, EPA ID No. NM0890010515

Activity: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), have submitted a Class 3 permit modification request to modify the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Hazardous Waste Facility Permit. The modification revises the Permit to incorporate changes agreed upon by the April 21, 2017 Settlement Agreement, resolving a permit appeal filed in the United States Read More

Lujan Grisham Responds To Fraud Charges Against Ayudando Guardians

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham has released the following statement in response to allegations of conspiracy, fraud, theft and money laundering against Ayudando Guardians, Inc.

The U.S. Attorney in New Mexico charged the non-profit guardianship firm of embezzling money from client trust accounts meant for hundreds of individuals with special needs.

“The embezzlement allegations against this guardianship firm are alarming and I am deeply concerned for the hundreds of beneficiaries who

NNSA Spearheads International Effort To Convert Ghana Reactor To Low Enriched Uranium Fuel

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2017

NNSA in Washington, D.C. Courtesy/NNSA

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― A team of experts from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, the International Atomic Energy Agency, China and Ghana completed the conversion of Ghana’s GHARR-1 Miniature Neutron Source Reactor from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium fuel July 13.

These reactor conversions allow important research to continue while enabling the removal and disposal of HEU fuel, eliminating the risk that this weapons-usable material could be stolen

Balderas And 18 AGs Call On Secretary DeVos To Maintain Protections For Survivors Of Campus Assaults

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and 18 Attorneys General sent a letter Wednesday to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos expressing their concern over reports the Department of Education is preparing to roll back important protections for survivors of sexual assault on college campuses and urging her to keep these protections in place.

The Attorneys General also called on Secretary DeVos to work collaboratively with them to take action to end the scourge of

DOE Renews WIPP CSG Cooperative Agreement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 23, 2017

DOE News:

CARLSBAD ― The Department of Energy’s Carlsbad Field Office renewed a cooperative agreement with the Council of State Governments (CSG) – Midwestern Region for oversight of transportation of transuranic waste through Midwestern states to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

The cooperative agreement is for five-years with an estimated cost of approximately $1.4 million.

Through the cooperative agreement DOE provides funding to the CSG- Midwestern Region to address issues of common concern among the Midwestern states to

Pearce Votes To Advance Energy Infrastructure

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 22, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. House of Representatives passed two key bills July 19 to modernize U.S. energy infrastructure.

“New Mexico is a national leader in resource production and a key player in the transportation of energy resources across the southern border. By simplifying regulations on energy infrastructure projects and putting sound provisions in place that promote efficiency and transparency, our communities will have greater opportunities for economic expansion,” U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce said.

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tours LAMC

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 21, 2017

Los Alamos Medical Center CEO John Whiteside and Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Wallace, center, greet U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham July 15 at the entrance to the hospital and guide her on a tour of the facility. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladalypost.com

Los Alamos Medical Center CEO John Whiteside guides U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham on a tour of the hospital Saturday afternoon. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladalypost.com

Los Alamos Medical Center CEO John Whiteside continues his tour for U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham July 15 at the hospital. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladalypost.com

U.S. Rep. Read More

Udall Advances Strong Funding For New Mexico’s National Laboratories, Water Infrastructure

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 21, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

Udall joins Appropriations Committee in approving $38.4 billion funding bill to support national labs, tech transfer, cleanup, WIPP and water projects throughout New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the committee has advanced legislation providing strong fiscal year 2018 funding for New Mexico’s national labs, cleanup projects and technology transfer, the Waste Isolation Pilot Program (WIPP), and water infrastructure projects throughout

Letter To The Editor: Response To Mr. Spencer

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 21, 2017

By GREG WHITE

Los Alamos

In regard to Mr. Spencer’s letter (link), details do matter especially in the law. He is correct that this is an open carry state and the actual law is close to but not accurately reflected on the New Mexico State Police website.

Perhaps they missed a change to the law. The law should always be checked at the official legal site for all of New Mexico’s laws, state and local. That would be the New Mexico Compilation Commission (link).

Also despite the Constitution of New Mexico expressly forbidding any laws against guns, the legislature

CCNS: Luján Champions RECA For New Mexicans

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 21, 2017

Concerned Citizens For Nuclear Safety News:

After nearly 600 luminarias were lit on the Tularosa Little League field, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján expressed his apologies to those who are suffering from or have died of illnesses caused by exposure to the first atomic bomb test July 16, 1945, at the Trinity Site.

The bomb contained 13 pounds of plutonium, but only three pounds fissioned. The remaining plutonium and toxic ash fell out over fields, gardens, houses and mountains, eventually flowing into cisterns and waterways. The people, now called “Trinity Downwinders,” were not notified of the danger,

Izraelevitz: Sheriff Investigate Corruption? Makes Absolutely No Sense

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 21, 2017

By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ, Chair

Los Alamos County Council

Corruption: dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people (such as government officials or police officers) (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

My fellow councilor Pete Sheehey has proposed a Council resolution to more expansively define the roles and responsibilities of the Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Office. The last paragraph of his resolution is very troubling, as it would give the Sheriff the power to perform a criminal investigation should the Police Department be deemed, in the Sheriff’s “reasonable” opinion, to Read More

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