Politics

Democratic Party Of Los Alamos County Meets Monday

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DPLA News:

The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb 10 in Building 6 at UNM-LA.

The featured speaker is Pat Davis, an Albuquerque City Councilor and Chair of the Governor’s cannabis legalization working group.

The featured speaker for the Monday, March 9 meeting is State Auditor Brian Colón.

Note the following change in location for meetings in summer 2020:

  • May, July and August the Los Alamos Democrats will meet the usual day and time, 6:30 p.m. second Monday in the White Rock Public Library; and
  • The meeting in June is canceled.
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Legislation To Combat Elder Abuse Passes Committee

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HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:

A Task Force Would Study and Make Recommendations for Penalties for the Abuse of Senior Citizens and Adults with Disabilities

SANTA FE − House Memorial 10 sponsored by Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) today passed the House Health and Human Services Committee.

The memorial seeks to address the growing incidence of elder abuse and abuse of adults with disabilities. It directs the non-profit Senior Citizens Law Office to convene a task force to study abuse, especially financial, and recommend civil and criminal penalties to be enacted.

“Elder abuse – financial Read More

Legislative Roundup: 14 Days Remaining In Session

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Legislative Roundup
SFNM News:

Tell us what it costs: The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Thursday that would require private colleges to disclose the total estimated cost of attendance to prospective students.

House Bill 17, sponsored by Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, and Rep. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos, is aimed at helping students make cost-efficient enrollment decisions and avoid “predatory recruitment practices”.

“Too many students are left with little choice but to go into untenable debt or give up on attending college because they don’t believe Read More

Senate Committee Passes ‘Red Flag’ Legislation

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Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces

By ROBERT NOTT
The New Mexican

So-called ­“red flag” legislation narrowly cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday by a vote of 6-5.

Senate Bill 5, also known as the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act, now moves to the Senate floor for consideration.

It would allow law enforcement officers to petition for a court order to take away a person’s firearms. A judge would require the person to give up their guns for 10 days — an order that could be extended to one year — if probable cause is found that the person poses a threat to themselves or others.

The Read More

New Mexico House Passes $7.6 Billion Spending Plan

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From left, Republican Reps. Kelly Fajardo of Los Lunas, Jim Townsend of Artesia, Rod Montoya of Farmington and Jason Harper of Rio Rancho announce an alternative state budget plan Wednesday that calls for less spending and higher reserves than legislation set to be considered by the full House. Photo by Jens Gould/The New Mexican

By JENS GOULD
The New Mexican

The state House approved a $7.6 billion budget bill Wednesday, after Republicans criticized it and proposed an alternate plan during a floor debate.

The House passed House Bill 2, the General Appropriations Act of 2020, by a vote of 46-24 Read More

Legislative Roundup: 14 Days Remaining In Session

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Legislative Roundup
SFNM News:

The bill, please: One thing state lawmakers love to do is introduce legislation. Wednesday, the midway point for this year’s 30-day session, also was the last day for legislators to file bills for consideration.

As of 5 p.m., they had filed over 725 bills, memorials and resolutions — many of which are unlikely to make it to a committee hearing, let alone pass through both chambers of the Legislature. The session ends at noon Feb. 20.

Makes census to me: The House of Representatives voted 68-0 Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 4, which appropriates a one-time Read More

Senate Committee Passes Amended Bill For Brain Trauma Study

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Sen. Jeff Steinborn

By DANIELLE PROKOP
The New Mexican

Brain injury survivors, advocates and doctors say countless patients in the state have struggled for years to get adequate treatment and support following a stroke or blow to the head.

Now they’re asking the New Mexico Legislature to study the gaps in care in an effort to build a better treatment system.

The Senate Public Affairs Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 88 Tuesday, which would earmark $150,000 for the state Department of Health to contract a study on existing resources for treating traumatic brain injuries Read More

Human Services Department: $1.535 Million For Primary Care Graduate Medical Education … Seeking Applicants

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HSD News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced Tuesday the availability of $1.535 million for primary care GME programs in New Mexico.

The funding addresses the urgent need of increased healthcare access and primary care physician workforce expansion. The department is soliciting applicants for first-year residency positions in New Mexico.

Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2020 and more information, including the Request for Application, can be found at: https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/gme-expansion.aspx.

“Healthcare workforce expansion Read More

Stewart Bill To Help Educators Better Teach Reading Unanimously Passes Senate Education Committee

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SENATE News:

SB 74 Creates Voluntary Professional Development, Targets Young At-Risk Students

The Senate Education Committee today unanimously passed Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to create a voluntary professional development program to help teachers better work with students learning to read.

“When a child learns to read, the world opens up to them,” Stewart said. “Having taught reading myself for years, though, I know that students and educators face many hurdles. By creating this unique literacy education learning opportunity for teachers, we will help teachers master the most up-to-date

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Sean Williams Announces Run For Los Alamos County Council

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Sean Williams
Democratic Candidate for County Council

POLITICAL News:

As a local small business owner, I know firsthand many of the struggles the business community endures. As a resident of Los Alamos County, I know firsthand the frustration of having two blighted downtowns. As a homeowner, I sympathize deeply with those unable to find homes of their own.

These problems are complicated, but they can be overcome. We can have vibrant commercial centers in both Los Alamos and White Rock, full of restaurants, shops and services. We can have residential density where it’s appropriate, while preserving Read More