State, Nation & World - Los Alamos Daily Post

House Passes Bill To Reduce Renewable Energy Standards

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 15, 2015

Rep. Larry R. Scott

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― House Bill 445, “Reduce Renewable Portfolio Standards” sponsored by Rep. Rep. Larry R. Scott, D-Lea County has passed the House by a close vote of 33-32. Several Republicans voted against the measure.

HB 445 repeals part of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires New Mexico public utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2020, as required in the Renewable Energy Act. This bill would eliminate a portion of that act, keeping the rate at the current 15 percent and preventing it from

Avoid Crowds … Take Spring Hikes At Bandelier

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 14, 2015

Trails across the mesas at Bandelier National Monument, March, 2015. Courtesy/NPS

Trails across the mesas at Bandelier National Monument, March, 2015. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

With spring breaks starting up all over the country, visitation at Bandelier National Monument is rising and often the limited parking in the lot at the Visitor Center is full at mid-day.

But spring is a good time to take the opportunity to explore some of the other park trails, especially those with trailheads outside of Frijoles Canyon.

Some possibilities for other

Legislature Urged To Change Lottery Scholarship, Restore College Affordability Fund

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 14, 2015

VFC News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Making college more affordable for its low-income population would pay the state big dividends down the road.

Having a better educated workforce would help attract higher-paying jobs to the state, which would lead to more economic activity. In addition, boosting the educational level of the state’s adults would improve the educational outcomes of our children. Those are among the points made in a report just released by New Mexico Voices for Children.

“Education and money are inexorably linked,” said Veronica C. García, Ed.D., executive director of the child

DOE Releases Wind Report, Examines Industry Future

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 14, 2015

DOE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.―In support of the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to diversify the nation’s power supplies, the Energy Department just released a new report looking at the future of wind power through 2050 and the economic benefits that come with a robust wind industry.

The report, Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States, confirms that with technological advancements driving projected cost reductions, in combination with continued siting and transmission development, wind power can be economically deployed to provide

VIDEO: Heinrich On Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 14, 2015

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.―U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, delivered a speech on the Senate floor last week on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015.

Heinrich introduced the bill with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The bill, which has growing bipartisan support, would reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to public lands, and boost the outdoor recreation Read More

IRS Weekly Filing Statistics

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 14, 2015

IRS News:

PHOENIX ― Americans have turned to IRS.gov nearly 200 million times so far this tax filing season where they can find answers on topics ranging from tax preparation to checking their refund status.

This is a 10 percent increase in comparison to the same time last year, according to IRS statistics released last week.

In addition to various interactive tools, IRS.gov is the gateway to many more resources and answers about many tax matters. Try Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics, Tax Trails, Frequently Asked Questions, and the IRS Tax Map.

Supreme Court: Every Person Must Report Child Abuse

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 14, 2015

STATE News:

SANTA FE―The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled that every person – no matter their profession – has the duty to report child abuse, siding with Gov. Susana Martinez and House Republicans who have both led the fight to clarify the law in recent years.

“Today, the Supreme Court delivered a win for New Mexico’s children,” said Nate Gentry, R-Bernalillo, who carried two bills last year that would have clarified the law. “I thank Governor Martinez for leading the charge to change this law. As a prosecutor who spent her entire career putting child abusers behind bars, she truly

House Passes Legislation To Protect Children and Mothers From Rapists

Submitted by Chris Clark on March 14, 2015

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that would give women the option to terminate the parental rights of a biological father when the pregnancy is the result of rape.

Republican Rep. Conrad James and Democratic Rep. Georgene Louis sponsored the bill (HB 387), which passed by a unanimous 65-0 vote.

“A mother has every right to protect her child from a convicted rapist,” James said. “Passing this bill is the right thing to do for New Mexico’s children and mothers.”

Currently, someone who committed rape is entitled to child

House Passes Garcia Richard’s Civics Education Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2015

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

STATE News:

The New Mexico House passed Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard’s House Bill 345 (62-1) Thursday.

The bill, originally proposed by former Rep. Vernon Kerr of Los Alamos, will give high school students the ability to earn dual credit for their participation in Boys’ State and Girls’ State programs in New Mexico.

This bill was passed in 2013 by both chambers but pocket vetoed by Gov. Susana Martinez.

“Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am to the amazing work Rep. Vernon Kerr has done for our community, students and American Read More

Senate Strikes Bipartisan Compromise On Driver’s Licenses For All New Mexico Residents

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2015

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The Senate Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) passed Senate Bill 653, co-sponsored by Senators Stewart Ingle, R-Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Lea and Roosevelt and John Arthur Smith (D-Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra, to establish a two-tiered system for the issuance of driver’s licenses and ID cards in New Mexico.

The bill passed by a vote of 5-3.

Under the bill’s proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Code, the same licenses that would be given to United States (U.S.) citizens, may be applied for by non-U.S. citizens. These could not be used by federal agencies for official Read More

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