Los Alamos Reporter

County Council Holds Special Session Friday On Legislative Priorities

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos County Councilors are holding a special virtual meeting at 6 p.m. Friday to present the County’s legislative priorities which were approved in a prior meeting. A representative of Los Alamos Public Schools is expected to attend the meeting to present the LAPS legislative recommendations as published on a postcard recently approved by the School Board.

Los Alamos County’s priorities are as follows:

Support:

  • Support Legislation that provides sufficient funding for New Mexico public schools
  • Preservation of full service Public Health Offices throughout the state, including in Los Alamos
  • Full and/or increased funding for projects to reduce risk of wildfire such as authorized under the Forest and Watershed Restoration Act
  • Legislation supporting Los Alamos County’s application for capital outlay funding to develop infrastructure and facilities that support the development of a community recreational space in White Rock
  • Legislative priorities of New Mexico Counties and New Mexico Municipal League
  • Statewide broadband access for all New Mexicans
  • Work to exclude municipal utility records from access via the Inspection of Public Records Act

Monitor:

  • Tax reform legislation that directly affects Los Alamos County and/or its ability to serve its citizens
  • Efforts that clarify the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA)

Oppose:

  • Oppose Legislation that increases liability for public employees
  • Changes to the state school funding formula that would adversely impact Los Alamos Public School District
  • Proposals that would reduce the County’s net receipt of general GRT or other revenues
  • Legislation that imposes further financial burden on Counties with respect to the Safety Net Care pool and State Medicaid funding
  • Legislation that limits H-class or Home Rule authority Legislation that involves the preemption of existing County duties or authority

The LAPS recommendations are as follows:

  • Implement a four-year plan to increase funding through the State Equalization Guarantee to provide raises for all school employees so that New Mexico becomes regionally competitive when compared to Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado and Utah
  • Ensure safety for school employees and save tax payer dollars by bulk purchasing personal protective equipment
  • Support school boards in making local decisions regarding the reopening of schools and safety for school boards, students, teachers, parents and families
  • Increase funding for professional development and expand inclusive learning environments that incorporate culturally and linguistically responsive and relevant curricula and practices
  • Amend the K-5 Plus statute (22-13-D) to expand flexibility options for all students
  • Amend the Public School Capital Outlay Act to provide 50 percent of greater state match for school districts

Members of the public can join this Zoom meeting and make public comment by pasting into their browser the following link https://zoom.us/j/98928553499 once the session has started. They can also join by telephone:

US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or
+1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 989 2855 3499