Politics

Udall, Heinrich Secure $30 Million In Reimbursement For Border Communities & Organizations Providing Humanitarian Relief To Asylum Seekers

June 25, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced Wednesday that the Senate agreement on border humanitarian assistance includes $30 million in reimbursement funds for localities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in New Mexico and elsewhere that are providing much-needed humanitarian relief to asylum seekers.

In May, the full New Mexico delegation – Udall and Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Xochitl Torres Small, and Deb Haaland – wrote to the leadership of the Senate and House Appropriations

New Mexico Congressional Delegation Announces $2.5 Million To UNM To Research Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Factors Among Native Americans

June 25, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small announced Monday that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded approximately $2.5 million over five years to the University of New Mexico (UNM) Health Sciences Center to research chronic kidney disease risk factors among Native Americans in the southwestern United States.

The funding, which was championed by the New Mexico delegation, will enable UNM to conduct a study to identify risk factors associated

CVNM Statement On NMOGA Methane Rule Proposal

June 25, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

CVNM News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) released their proposal Monday for implementing a Methane Capture Rule.

The goal of a Methane Capture Rule is to reduce the significant amount of methane that is leaked, vented and flared in New Mexico. In response to NMOGA’s proposal, Conservation Voters New Mexico Political & Legislative Director Ben Shelton released the following statement:

“Despite the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s presentation as a collaborative partner in reducing methane pollution, the proposal rule they released

State Surplus Offers Vehicles For Public Sale

June 25, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― About three dozen motor vehicles will be available for purchase Thursday during the monthly public sale at the state surplus property warehouse in Santa Fe.

Other merchandise for sale to the public includes used furniture and electronics, as well as knives and other items surrendered to the federal Transportation Security Administration.

The warehouse of the Surplus Property Bureau is at 1990 Siringo Road. It will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

The vehicles expected to be available for public sale include sedans, vans, SUVs

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Amendment To NDAA To Protect Elections From Foreign Interference

June 25, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee, cosponsored an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help protect our elections from foreign interference by requiring candidates, campaign officials and their family members to notify law enforcement if offered illegal assistance by a foreign national.

The NDAA is being debated on the Senate floor.

“Protecting our elections

Governor Announces Ethics Commission Chair

June 24, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced her sole nominee to the state Ethics Commission, who will serve as the commission’s chair, per state statute.

The Hon. William F. Lang is a well-respected jurist who worked in New Mexico law for nearly 40 years and continues to serve the community. He served three years as a Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judge, including a stint as Chief Judge, before serving as a District Court Judge for fifteen years, including five years as Chief Judge.

Before his time in the

Udall, Heinrich Propose Amendments To Protect And Strengthen Nuclear Safety Board Oversight Mission In Major Defense Bill

June 24, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have proposed three amendments to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a major defense policy bill, to protect and strengthen the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s (DNFSB) critical safety oversight mission at New Mexico’s Department of Energy (DOE) facilities.

The amendments filed by the senators to the NDAA would help ensure that the DNFSB continues to provide strong oversight to protect public health and safety, including the workers at New Mexico’s national

Aging & Long-Term Services Secretary Appoints New State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

June 24, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NMALTS News:

SANTA FE ― Aging & Long-Term Services Secretary Alice Liu McCoy has announced the appointment of Linnea Forsythe as New Mexico’s state long-term care ombudsman.

“A strong ombudsman program is critical to protecting the health, safety and rights of New Mexico’s most vulnerable population—residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other long-term care facilities,” said McCoy, announcing Forsythe’s appointment during Older Americans Month.

“This department is establishing a high bar for the quality of care provided by nursing

Luján Announces $400 Million For Women’s Health

June 24, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has announced that the House will consider his effort to invest $400 million in the Title X family planning programs that support the health needs of women and families.

More than 190 House Democrats signed onto Luján’s push for the Title X funds, which have been systematically cut by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration. In New Mexico, there are 67 health care clinics that receive Title X funding.

Title X offers health care and support

Attorney General Hector Balderas Urges Congress To Take Action To Protect Integrity Of America’s Elections

June 24, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE — In expressing his “significant concern regarding the persistent threats to our election systems,” Attorney General Hector Balderas joined 21 attorneys general around the country to urge Congress to take action to protect the integrity of America’s elections.

In a letter addressed to key U.S. Senators, Attorney General Balderas and the other attorneys general ask Congress to provide additional election security grants to states and localities, support the establishment of cybersecurity and audit