Political News – Page 565

Alan Webber Endorses Michelle Lujan Grisham

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 15, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Courtesy photo

POLITICAL News:

SANTA FE ― Former Democratic candidate for governor and One New Mexico founder Alan Webber has announced his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham for governor.

Alan Webber

In his endorsement Webber, a successful author who co-founded Fast Company magazine highlighted his belief that Congresswoman Lujan Grisham is the best candidate to help our economy bounce back and create economic opportunities for future generations of New Mexicans.

“Four years ago I ran for Governor because

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Advances Key Funding For New Mexico Military Bases And Veterans

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced that the committee has advanced legislation providing strong funding for military construction projects in New Mexico and for veterans’ care across the state.

In total, Udall secured more than $63 million in funding for projects at New Mexico’s military bases and facilities. In addition, the legislation includes a Udall-authored measure to bolster veterans’ access to care in rural areas, and provides an overall increase of $4 billion for veterans’

State Auditor Tim Keller Moves To Halt Health Insurance Extraordinary Dividends

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― State Auditor Tim Keller has called on the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) to halt the approval of “extraordinary dividend” payments for health insurance companies until issues involving potential underpayments of premium taxes are resolved.

For example, despite current concerns about money that may be owed to the State of New Mexico, companies, including Presbyterian and Lovelace, have had approved dividends of more than $100 million. The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is conducting an ongoing audit to get to

Refund Alert: AG Balderas Announces Hundreds Of NM Students To Receive Refund Checks From DeVry Univ.

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that hundreds of New Mexico students will receive refund checks from DeVry University as part of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement over deceptive statements made by DeVry about their job prospects and earning potential after graduation.

July 5, the FTC began mailing 173,000 refund checks worth more than $49 million to some students who attended the school between 2008 and 2015. The checks will expire 60 days after they are mailed so it is important for former

Young Democrats Of New Mexico Elect Leadership

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

Tarin Nix of Los Alamos elected to national committee position. Courtesy photo

NMDP News:

MESILLA ― At the Young Democrats of New Mexico Summer Convention in Mesilla last week, Las Cruces native Zack Quintero was re-elected as the Young Democrats of New Mexico Chair. Also elected today was Karina Martin, New Mexico State University (NMSU) student, as Vice Chair; Scott Goodman, Los Ranchos resident, as Treasurer; and Emerson Morrow, NMSU student as statewide President of the College Democrats.

After being

Luján Amendment To Protect Those Exposed To Radiation Passes House

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 14, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― An amendment authored by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) to care for those exposed to radiation was unanimously approved by the U.S. House of Representatives late last night.

The amendment expresses the sense of Congress that it is appropriate for the U.S. government to compensate all miners, workers, downwinders, and others suffering from the effects of uranium mining and nuclear testing carried out during the Cold War.

“Many Americans sacrificed a great deal to ensure our national

Nobel Peace Laureate Liu Xiaobo Has Died

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo, a 2010 Nobel peace laureate and 2004 RSF press freedom laureate, died Wednesday … he had been imprisoned in China since 2008. Courtesy photo

RSF News:

RSF accuses China of “murder by lack of care” in Liu Xiaobo’s death

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is deeply saddened by the news of the death of Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo, who was the 2010 Nobel peace laureate and 2004 RSF press freedom laureate. RSF holds the Chinese authorities responsible and urges them to end the house arrest of his wife, Liu Xia.

The embodiment of resistance to oppression and the

Udall: We Must Make Cultural, Political And Economic Sovereignty A Reality For All American Indian And Alaska Native Tribes

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 14, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs gave the keynote address at “Indian Nations Rising: Celebrating Native Youth,” an event hosted Wednesday by The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

In his remarks, Udall said cultural, political, and economic sovereignty can be achieved through economic empowerment, strengthening ties to cultural identity, improved health care, and respect for the government-to-government relationship with Tribes.

Udall

Representative Asked To Leave Closed Door Meeting On Aamodt Water Settlement And Rights-of-way Issues

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

Courtesy photo

Staff Report

Valley Daily Post

NAMBE – New Mexico State Rep. Carl Trujillo (D-Santa Fe County) and residents of northern Santa Fe County, were asked to leave a Thursday meeting organized by the federal Department of the Interior to discuss the controversial Aamodt water settlement and the rights-of-way issues that affect the residents of the area.

Rep. Carl Trujillo

When asked by Rep. Trujillo why they must leave the meeting, the expelled residents were told, “they had not been invited”.

“Their exclusion is odd, given the discussion centered around the Aamodt settlement Read More

Heinrich Representative Speaks To Rotary Club

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 14, 2017

thDr. Ken Lucero, a field representative for U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s Office, speaks to the Rotary Club of Los Alamos about Heinrich’s Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony 2017 during the club’s meeting Tuesday at the Los Alamos Golf Course Clubhouse. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

In 1970s, a shield deeply sacred to the Acoma Pueblo was stolen. That shield recently re-appeared in a French auction house. This is one of many incidents of cultural and sacred Native American objects coming

Secretary Of State Announces Extension Of Public Comment Period For Proposed Campaign Finance Rule

Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin) on July 13, 2017

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

STATE News:

SANTA FE – New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has announced that she will extend the public comment period on her proposed campaign finance rule, which is intended to provide much needed guidance regarding New Mexico’s Campaign Reporting Act (CRA).

The new deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 to submit written comments by mail, email or fax.

“With the public hearings upon us, I want to give New Mexicans as much time as possible to provide official comment on this proposed rule,” Toulouse Oliver said. “I encourage Read More

Heinrich Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Provide Fourth Graders Free Access To National Parks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Outdoor Recreation Caucus, and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has introduced the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Act, bipartisan legislation to provide America’s fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed land, waters, and historic sites, including national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all.

The Every Kid Outdoors Act is aimed at encouraging kids to get outdoors and experience America’s public spaces, while

County Seeks Permanent Solution For Sheriff’s Office

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2017

Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero attends Tuesday night County Council meeting to ask for his office’s budget and staff to be restored. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

In regard to the issues surrounding the Los Alamos County Sheriff’s Office, the consensus during the Tuesday’s regular County Council meeting was clear: everyone wants the issues resolved and a permanent solution put in place.

What exactly that solution will be is still to be decided. The County Council is holding a special meeting at 6 Read More

U.S. House Of Representatives Passes Water Rights Protection Bill With Pearce Amendment

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 13, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 23, the Gaining Responsibility on Water (Grow) Act, with an amendment sponsored by U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce. This provision ensures that current and future tribal water rights are protected under the bill.

“Water is a vital resource in New Mexico and is essential for economic growth to occur,” Pearce said. “Tribes in my district and across New Mexico have historically relied on the use of water

Just One Thing To Do This Week: Carry Someone To Shore

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2017

By MARY BETH MAASSEN
Los Alamos

Did you read this inspiring story? It has been all over the news and social media:

On Saturday in Panama City, Florida, a group of swimmers were pulled out to sea by a powerful rip current. Rescue attempts had been made by various individuals, all of whom became stranded in the riptide themselves.

Jessica Simmons and her husband Derek were taking a walk when flashing emergency lights alerted them to a group of a dozen stranded swimmers shouting for help. Jessica and husband, both strong swimmers, rallied and organized the crowd into a human chain. According to media Read More

Indian Affairs Cabinet Secretary Kelly Zunie Steps Down

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2017

Department of Indian Affairs Cabinet Secretary Kelly Zunie

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has announced that Department of Indian Affairs Cabinet Secretary Kelly Zunie will be stepping down to pursue other opportunities.

“Secretary Zunie has been a strong asset in building and growing our relationships with New Mexico’s tribes, nations and pueblos,” Martinez said. “Her leadership helped us work with Native American communities throughout the state to strengthen schools, improve healthcare and create more economic opportunities for all our families. Her skills and experience Read More

NNSA Releases Draft RFP For LANL M&O Contract

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2017

Staff Report

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) today released the draft RFP for the Los Alamos National Laboratory Management and Operations (M&O) contract:

SECTION J – APPENDIX A: STATEMENT OF WORK – Click here;

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES – Click here; and

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD – Click here.

Day Of Action For Net Neutrality Breaks Records

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2017

INTERNET News:

There has been such a surge in activity — and the traffic is not showing signs of slowing down — that organizers are still scrambling to document everything that has happened but so far through the BattleForTheNet.com site alone (not including the Internet Association’s page or other aligned efforts) we’ve seen:

NOTE: these numbers represent only a portion of the final totals, and due to the massive numbers, comments and emails will be delivered over several days. We will release additional updates as we continue documenting what has happened:

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s Statement On End Of Monuments Review Public Comment Period

Submitted by Chris Clark on July 12, 2017

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke

USDI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The formal public comment period closed Monday for the review of national monuments.

More than 1.2 million comments were received on Regulations.gov and thousands more were received via traditional mail. Twenty-seven national monuments designated since Jan. 1, 1996 that are more than 100,000 acres, or that were considered to have inadequate public input are under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order.

“Too often under previous administrations,

New Mexico Department Of Transportation Announces Online Survey For State Rail Plan

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 12, 2017

NMDOT News:

SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Department of Transportation announced the availability of an online survey to find out which railroad issues are important to New Mexicans and for providing input to update the State Rail Plan.

The survey is accessible through this link.

The 2018 Rail Plan will explore these issues to identify potential solutions. The updated Rail Plan will also describe the current state of New Mexico’s rail system, articulate a strategic vision for the future of the rail system, and identify projects and funding sources to support that vision.

NMDOT encourages Read More

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