SGR: Time to Make Jobs a Top Priority
By Rep. Stephanie Garcia RichardA recent economic evaluation of the states, conducted by Bloomberg, found that New Mexico’s economic health has declined from being in the top ten from 1995-2007 to dead last, today. This summer, the Jobs Council, comprised of Legislators and representatives from the private and public sector, was formed to come up with a strategy to get New Mexico back on track. As a Legislator, whose district has been directly affected by the decline in revenue and jobs, it has been a unique and rewarding opportunity to participate
Hot Issues Include Education and Jobs for 30-Day Session
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard speaks at the podium to residents gathered at Fuller Lodge Wednesday evening for the annual Legislative Preview as Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez listen at right. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Gerry Washburn discusses education as AAUW President Helena Whyte, left, and Think New Mexico’s Kristina Fisher look on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.comThe League of Women Voters of Los Alamos and the American Association
Luján: Senate Action on Unemployment Insurance Good First Step
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., applauded Senate action Tuesday that will allow for the consideration of bipartisan legislation to extend federal unemployment benefits that expired at the end of last month.
On Dec. 28, 1.3 million Americans, including 6,000 New Mexicans, saw their unemployment benefits run out at a time when the economy in New Mexico continues to struggle in the wake of the deepest recession in a generation.
“The Senate vote to move forward on legislation to extend unemployment insurance is a positive first Read More
N.M. Legislative Finance Committee Presents Budget Recommendations
N.M. LEGISLATURE NEWS:
SANTA FE — Friday, the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) held a press conference to present the budget recommendations for the 2014 Legislative Session. Spending calls for $6.15 billion from the general fund, which is $253.5 million more than is expected to be spent in the current fiscal year.
LFC Chairman, Rep. Luciano Valera, D-Santa Fe, opened the press conference, providing a rundown of the priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Job creation, education, public employee retention and healthcare were at the core of the list.
Legislators agreed that bipartisanship Read More
County Council Elects 2014 Leadership
During this evening’s meeting, Council Chair Geoff Rodgers is retained in the leadership role on Council for another year by a unanimous vote of the Los Alamos County Council. PrintScreen photo/ladailypost.com
In a unanimous vote by Council, Councilor Kristin Henderson is elected vice chair for 2014. She replaces Vice Chair David Izraelevitz who did not seek reelection as vice chair. PrintScreen photo/ladailypost.com Read More
Janet Yellen Makes History as First Female Federal Reserve Chair
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen
U.S. Senate News:
WASHINGTON–Monday, Sen. Tom Udall joined the Senate in confirming Janet Yellen to serve as Chairwoman of the Federal Reserve. He issued the following statement:
“Today’s vote was a historic moment for the Federal Reserve and for our nation. I look forward to seeing Dr. Yellen become the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve Board. As Vice Chair of the Fed, Dr. Yellen has proven herself to be a thoughtful and extremely effective leader,” Udall said. “I look forward to her experienced hand and strong voice for working families Read More
Senate Majority Office Responds to Gov.’s Budget Proposal
Senate Majority Floor Leader Michael Sanchez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced her spending recommendations for next fiscal year’s budget. Her $6.07 billion proposal is about $80 million less than the $6.15 billion recommendations proposed by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) last week.
LFC proposed pay raises for all state and education workers, while Martinez’s recommendations only call for raises to be given to a certain percentage of state workers and merit pay for educators. Merit pay still continues to be an issue that many Democrats Read More
Governor Introduces Fiscal Year 2015 Budget
STATE News:
- State Budget Geared to Reform Education, Increase Pay for Entering and High-Performing Teachers, Expand Health Care Workforce and Grow Economy
Santa Fe —Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced her Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal, which continues the Governor’s commitment to responsible budgeting, particularly during uncertain economic times at the national level. The Governor’s budget calls for significant investments in education reform and a commitment to tackling pressing economic issues head-on – including expanding the health care workforce Read More
Legislative Preview Wednesday at Fuller Lodge
Staff Report
The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos and the American Association of University Women will hold a Legislative Preview 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Fuller Lodge, with refreshments at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to participate.
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and Senators Carlos Cisneros and Richard Martinez have all agreed to attend and share their views on the upcoming session. Also, Kristina Fisher will explain Think New Mexico’s jobs creation initiative and Los Alamos Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Gerry Washburn will discuss the proposed education legislation.
Lujan Grisham Urges Renewal of Federal Unemployment Insurance
U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS:
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01 continues to urge Congress to renew federal unemployment insurance following a report finding that the expiration of the program on Dec. 28 has already cost the New Mexico economy more than $1.7 million.
The analysis, prepared by the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats, spells out how much federal funding each state is going without in the first week since the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program expired.
In New Mexico, 6,000 jobseekers lost an Read More
Governor Unveils Proposals to Aid High Tech Start-ups
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE—Gov. Susana Martinez announced Friday, the latest in a series of proposals designed to attract and develop new research, innovation and high-tech firms in New Mexico.
Specifically, the Governor is proposing to improve the tax treatment of innovation activities by expanding the use of the Angel Investment Credit, allowing for greater private investment in small New Mexico start-ups, and reforming the Technology Jobs Tax Credit and the current, relatively unused Research and Development Small Business Tax Credit to better support Read More
Republican Women Meet Jan. 9
GOP News:
The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women will hold a meeting noon-2 p.m. Jan. 9 at the home of Donna MacDonald in the Ridge Park Condos, 1003 Oppenheimer.
Open parking is in any uncovered, striped slot. Members are reminded to bring non-perishable food items and toiletries for charity donations.
For further information, contact Donna MacDonald at 505.662.4001. Read More
Senator Introduces Legislation Eliminating Secretary of Education Post
Sen. Michael Padilla
State News:
SANTA FE — Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo, a member of the Senate Education Committee, has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2), proposing education reforms that will, in Padilla’s words, “take politics out of public education in New Mexico.”
This legislation calls for: the elimination of the Secretary of Education position in the Governor’s Cabinet, implements a non-partisan State Board of Public Education, calls for the creation of a state superintendent of public education hired by the board, and places public education in the hands of education Read More
New Mexico Nationally Recognized for Improved Tax Fairness
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Susana Martinez announced that New Mexico has been recognized by the Council On State Taxation (COST), a national nonpartisan taxpayer watchdog group, for a dramatic improvement in state tax administration.
The group has upgraded New Mexico’s rating from a D to a B after the state adopted several reforms to simplify the tax code, making it fairer and more user-friendly. COST monitors and rates every state on tax appeal processes and administrative practices based on fairness of tax laws and regulations for tax administration.
“This new rating Read More
Lujan Grisham Urges Extension of Federal Unemployment Insurance
Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL NEWS:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With 1.3 million Americans losing all of their federal unemployment insurance Dec. 28, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01, is urging an extension of the program.
Friday, she announced that she is cosponsoring the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013 (H.R.3546), legislation that would extend the current Emergency Unemployment Compensation program through the end of 2014. In addition to the 6,000 long-term unemployed New Mexicans who are slated to lose their unemployment insurance Saturday, Read More
Proposed Bills Require Oversight and Competitive Bid for Behavioral Health Contractors
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico’s Legislative Health and Human Services Committee (LHHSC) has endorsed legislation, which requires more transparency and accountability of performing behavior health audits and secures avenues to keep in-state providers in business, while tightening up procurement policy.
Senate Majority Whip Tim Keller, D-17 Bernalillo, proposed the bills as a result of the behavioral health audit catastrophe this year, implementing a freeze of Medicaid dollars to 14 behavioral health providers throughout the state.
“It has become abundantly Read More
Luján, Lujan Grisham Introduce Legislation to Protect Native American Seeds
Courtesy/nativeseeds.org
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján, N.M.-03 and Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01, both members of the Congressional Native American Caucus, have introduced legislation to help preserve Native American seeds used for cultural, religious, medicinal, ceremonial and agricultural purposes.
The Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2013 (H.R. 3782) would allow tribes, working in conjunction with qualified research entities, to obtain grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct research, education and training Read More
New Episode Released of ‘The Udall Update’ Television Show
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
- Public Access Program Provides Information About Udall’s Work in the U.S. Senate on Behalf of New Mexicans
Garcia Richard Among MADD Legislative Champions of 2013
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
MADD News:
SANTA FE — Mothers Against Drunk Driving New Mexico (MADD) today announced its “2013 Legislative Champions” and recognized Los Alamos’ Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, Speaker W. Ken Martinez, Rep. Liz Thomson and Rep. Tim Lewis for their leadership within the New Mexico Legislature to stop drunk driving and protect the rights of victims.
“MADD thanks Speaker Martinez and Representatives Thomson, Garcia Richard, and Lewis for authoring legislation improving New Mexico’s drunk driving law. MADD appreciates their dedication and Read More
Udall, Moran Urge Overhaul of Federal IT Oversight to Save Taxpayers Billions
U.S. SENATE News:- Bipartisan bill would increase accountability, ensure clear chain of command in federal IT process
