Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Measure Twice, Cut Once, Voice Your Opinion, Water Rights Bill, Arctic Winter Games
There has been a disturbing lack of rigorous vetting of bills during this legislative session. Since 2008, the legislature shortened the session from 120 to 90 days. When the change first took place I was a strong proponent. However, experience has taught me that 90 days is simply not enough time for the legislature to thoroughly understand bills or get adequate public input. Recently, we’ve seen a concerning trend where bills only receive one committee of referral, reducing the opportunity for public input and resulting in less scrutiny on the effects to Alaskan families.
Read More →
Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Bills Inspired Locally & Free Dental Care
A number of the bills that I have proposed this session are based on comments I have received and concerns I have heard from residents of our neighborhoods. I am now working with other Legislators to have the bills heard, and I encourage you to continue to send me suggestions to improve our neighborhood and our State.
Read More →
NEWS: Report: Governor’s Education Proposal Continues Teacher Cuts
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released a report showing that, in order to avoid cutting educators a fourth year in a row, Alaska’s six largest school districts need an increase of roughly four times more per-pupil funding next year than the Governor has proposed.
Read More →
Note from Rep. Gara: How Education Cuts Are Tied To the Oil Giveaway; Foster Youth Volunteer Training
OK, this will be short. Really. I’ve spent the week writing a detailed document on how the oil giveaway passed last year requires nothing from oil companies in return for their billions in Alaska tax breaks. Giving away billions without requiring anything in return is a fool’s game. And it’s killing our schools.
Read More →
NEWS: Gara Debunks Oil Tax Myths: Pathway to Poverty Reduces Production, Threatens Education, Jobs, and Core Services
JUNEAU – Today Rep. Les Gara (D-Anch) has provided Alaskans with a source of information so they can see how the Governor’s oil giveaway kills Alaska’s ability to fund schools, construction jobs, and basic services. It will be on Gara’s website, with documents, most of which were provided by the Governor’s paid experts and administration officials when they were pushing SB 21. The latest state projections show oil production will fall under SB 21 from over 500,000 barrels a day to 285,000 barrels in 2024.
Read More →
