Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Lawmakers urge Justice Department to speed RECA implementation for radiation victims

A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández is pressing the Justice Department to quickly implement updated regulations for the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, warning that delays could cost gravely ill survivors precious time. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the New Mexico Democrat and her colleagues thanked the […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Report shows reconciliation law will cost poorest Americans $1,200 annually while wealthy gain $13,600

A new Congressional Budget Office analysis reveals that recently enacted budget reconciliation legislation will reduce resources for the nation’s poorest families while providing substantial benefits to wealthy households, prompting sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. The CBO report, released Aug. 11, found that households in the lowest income decile will lose approximately $1,200 per year on […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness

East Mountain families can build community connections at free ice cream event this weekend

Families with school-age children in the East Mountains have a chance to connect with neighbors and celebrate the new school year at a free community ice cream social this Saturday. First Baptist Church Tijeras will host a Back to School Ice Cream Celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, offering families an opportunity […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Heinrich hosts roundtable on federal energy legislation’s impact on New Mexico

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, held a roundtable discussion on Friday to examine the potential effects of federal energy legislation on New Mexico’s utility costs and employment. The roundtable included representatives from Western Resource Advocates, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, the New Mexico Renewable […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Local Gov.

Mountainair Town Council approves police salary increases as waste, credit card fees set to rise

Mountainair residents will see increased costs for waste collection and credit card payments beginning in September, while the town boosts police salaries to address recruitment challenges that have left positions vacant. The Mountainair Town Council approved salary increases for the police department, with the Police Chief position receiving a $5 per hour raise and patrol […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

Opinion: Special Session Process Needs to Be Open to Public Input

This commentary is submitted by Peter St. Cyr, an award-winning longtime New Mexico journalist and open government advocate. While the political class debates the timing and merits of a special legislative session this fall, my concerns are focused on the process being discussed by New Mexico House and Senate leadership.  Their idea to have predetermined […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos

Rep. Stansbury warns of healthcare cuts, praises state response at packed town hall

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury hosted a town hall meeting inside a packed commission chambers at the Sandoval County Administration Building Monday afternoon.  Stansbury kept the large crowd waiting for about half an hour because of transportation issues, but entered to a thunderous ovation from most of the people in attendance.  Over 200 people showed up […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Music

Madrid radio station, Mountainair arts festival receive state music grants

A community radio station in Madrid will host a free all-day music festival and a small-town arts celebration in Mountainair will support a dozen musicians as part of New Mexico’s effort to bring music programming to underserved communities. KMRD-96.9 FM will use grant funding from the New Mexico Music Commission to celebrate its 10th anniversary […]