Politics

Letter To The Editor: Thoughtful And Clearheaded

By DIANE SENIOR
Madrid, NM
 
District Court Judge Greg Shaffer was Santa Fe County Attorney in 2014 when the La Bajada Mesa basalt mine application came before the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). 
 
As a leading opponent of the application, I observed Greg at public hearings. In responding to questions from the BCC and the public, Greg was thoughtful and able to clearly articulate the basis for his opinions. Although I was not privy to it, his advice to the BCC appears to have been similarly thoughtful and clearheaded. 
 
The BCC enacted a moratorium
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Robinson: The FY ’19 Budget

By JAMES ROBINSON
Candidate for County Council

On Tuesday, April 17, the Los Alamos County Council adopted a $188 million budget for the FY ’19. I was fortunate to catch the first part of the budget hearings, but unfortunately could not make the second session due to assisting with wildlife issues in my role as chair of the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation.

First, I would like to thank the County Council and the county departments for taking the prudent step of offering a flat budget this fiscal year. Until more is known about the path of the LANL contract, and current projections gearing toward Read More

Letter To The Editor: Christine Chandler Will Work Hard In NM District 43

By KELLY & STEVE MYERS
Los Alamos
 
We would vote for Christine Chandler just based on her education, training and experience alone, but she offers so much more to her constituents in NM District 43.
 
Christine is incredibly intelligent and we need brains in our state government. Her legal experience is extensive, working in the legal department at LANL, serving as Probate Judge in Los Alamos County, working as a legislative analyst in Santa Fe and Washington, D.C. and leading Los Alamos County as an elected County Councilor, serving in the late 90’s and early 2000 and again from
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Letter To The Editor: James Robinson For Los Alamos County Council

By MIKE LATHROP
Retired LANL
 
I believe James Robinson would excel as a member of the County Council. My beliefs are based on extensive hours of personal contact, rather than touted credentials or experience that can be found elsewhere (http://www.vote-robinson.com/).  
 
In 2009 I became James’ LANL Student Intern Mentor. My mentorship strategy, be it for post graduates or under graduates, has always been “sink or swim”. By assigning unfamiliar tasks, that should be obtainable, I assess my intern’s problem solving abilities. To my delight James, my only undergraduate
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Miera: PED Moving To Privatize Higher Education?

By Rep. Rick Miera
Fmr. House Majority Leader
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

SANTA FE – Once again, it appears that the Governor, along with the Public Education Department (PED), is using executive power to wreak havoc and destroy public education in New Mexico.

Christopher Ruszkowski, Secretary-Designate of PED, started the mischief by attacking dual-language programs, something I worked tirelessly to pass years ago. After that endeavor failed due to public outcry, he went after science standards. Ceremoniously stopped from accomplishing either of these measures, he now has a

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U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Attends First GOP Congressional Baseball Practice For 2018

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce at the GOP Baseball Team’s practice Wednesday in Alexandria, VA. ScreenShot/LADP
 
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce attended the GOP Baseball Team’s first practice Wednesday at Simpson Field in Alexandria, VA in preparation for the 2018 Congressional Baseball Game for Charity.
 
“Last year, tragedy struck on this very field as my colleagues and I were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. A gunman with hate in his heart opened fire on our team to cause harm and to kill. By
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Native American And Faith Leaders Oppose Rollback Of BLM Methane Waste Standards

IP&L News:
 
A group of Native American and faith leaders delivered a letter April 19 signed by more than 500 clergy and faith leaders from 40 states to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke opposing weakening the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Methane and Waste Prevention Rule. April 23 was the deadline for public comment on the proposal.
 
Methane that is leaked, vented, and flared on our shared public lands creates public health hazards, alters our climate, and wastes valuable natural gas. This letter was signed in response to the Trump administration’s recent suspension
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Auditor Wayne Johnson Works With Local Acequias

State Auditor Wayne Johnson
 
STATE News:
 
NAMBE  State Auditor Wayne Johnson’s office is providing audit and financial compliance training for local acequias across the state to ensure that these small but vital entities are in financial compliance with state law and eligible to receive capital funding.
 
The trainings, “Acequia Pathways to Funding: Financial Compliance” are meant to help acequias comply with laws that require local governmental entities to account for their receipts and expenditures of public monies.
 
“Acequias are a vital part of the
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Balderas Secures Victory For Consumer Protection In New Mexico With Court Of Appeals Ruling In ITT Tech Case

Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
AG News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE  Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced that the New Mexico Court of Appeals issued an Opinion stating that New Mexico was not bound by the agreements ITT Technical Institute entered into with its students and that there is an important public policy in allowing the Attorney General to bring lawsuits against companies that violate the Unfair Practices Act (UPA).
 
The Court of Appeals said: “[t]he UPA represents New Mexico’s public policy in favor of preventing consumer harm and resolving
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Balderas Announces Increase Uniformity And Transparency In State Rule Making Processes

Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
AG News:
 
SANTA FE  Tuesday, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that the Office of the Attorney General has promulgated a new rule for rule making processes for government agencies across New Mexico.
 
With input from the public and various public bodies from across the state, the Attorney General’s default procedural rule for rulemaking establishes baseline standards for rule making processes.
 
“Government agencies must be transparent and accountable to the public when making the rules that govern
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