Politics

Local GOP Elects New Officers

by

Newly elected Chairman Robert Gibson of the Los Alamos County Republican Party. Courtesy photo

New GOP Officers elected Thursday include from left, Lawry Mann – 2nd Vice Chair, Marion Pack – Secretary, Norma
Tech – Treasurer, Robert Gibson – Chairman and Bill McKerley – 1st Vice Chair. Courtesy photo

GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos elected its 2013-2014 officers during its County Convention held Thursday evening at UNM-LA.

Robert Gibson was elected Chairman, Bill McCurley is 1st Vice Chair, Lawry Mann was elected 2nd Vice Chair, Marion Pack Read More

Heinrich Seeks DOE Assurance for LANL Cleanup Funds

by

U.S. SENATE News:

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing yesterday to consider the president’s proposed budget for the Department of Energy for fiscal year 2014.

During that hearing, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., sought assurance from DOE’s Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer Daniel Poneman that waste cleanup efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory would receive sufficient funding this year.

This is part of Heinrich’s ongoing effort to ensure all priority cleanup efforts at LANL stay on schedule.

On April 3, Senators Heinrich and Read More

Udall Statement on Defeat of Bipartisan Background Check Amendment

by

Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., issued this statement following the Senate’s consideration of amendments to S. 649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act, including the Manchin-Toomey amendment to expand background checks on commercial gun sales:
 
“The bipartisan Manchin-Toomey agreement would have expanded criminal background checks to reduce gun violence while upholding the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens.
 
“Fifty-four United States senators voted in agreement with 90 percent
Read More

Luján, Lujan Grisham Write to President Obama with Concerns over Proposed Cuts to Social Security Benefits

by

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Mexico Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote to President Obama recently to express their concerns with provisions in the President’s budget that would impact Social Security and reduce benefits for New Mexico seniors.

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
Below is the text of the letter:

April 16, 2013

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20502

Dear Mr. President:

It was with great interest

Read More

Letter to the Editor: Last Hour Tax Deal Violates the Spirit of Open Government

by

Last Hour Tax Deal Violates the Spirit of Open Government

 

By Meredith R. Machen and Dick Mason, Leadership Team
League of Women Voters of New Mexico leaders@lwvnm.org

The League of Women Voters of New Mexico is concerned about the last-minute tax bill slammed through the New Mexico Legislature and the broken process. 

HB641, like any comprehensive tax legislation, has many components which will have long-term effects on New Mexico’s economy.

Experts are still debating the overall cost and benefit projections, the challenges for municipalities, the difficulties Read More

Luján: Cybersecurity Enhancement Act Passage Important Step

by

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District voted today in support of legislation to address the evolving cyber threats facing the nation.

The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act passed with wide bipartisan support. Luján is a cosponsor of the legislation that includes provisions he worked on last Congress to enhance the role of the national laboratories, to encourage the rapid transfer of research and development advances into new commercial cybersecurity technologies, and to improve consumer privacy protection.

“As Read More

Udall Applauds USPS Decision to Continue Saturday Delivery

by

U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall commended the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) announcement Wednesday that it will not go through with plans to eliminate Saturday delivery.
 
USPS’ decision comes in response to congressional protest and legislative action by Udall and others to ban a reduction in services.
 
“The continuation of Saturday delivery is a win for the countless Americans who rely on mail services,” Udall said. “The Postal Service is facing serious financial problems, but they will not be solved by cutting the
Read More

Udall Meets With VA Secretary Shinseki Friday

by

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., meeting with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. Courtesy photo
 

U.S. SENATE News:

 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., met Friday afternoon with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to discuss ways to improve veterans care in New Mexico and around the country.
 
“Secretary Shinseki and I had a productive conversation about the need to improve services for veterans in our state. I shared with him my recent visit to Southeastern New Mexico, where I heard once again from rural veterans
Read More