News from Rep. Pete Petersen: Session Adjourns with Successes
Legislature Adjourns; Glenn/ Muldoon Interchange Repair Approved; Autism and Parents as Teachers Bills Pass
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The legislative session adjourned minutes ago, and the word around the Capitol is that the governor has called a special session starting on Wednesday. Unfortunately it looks like I will not be coming home as soon as I’d like, but I will stay until the job is done. This last week has been very busy, but also productive. Today the Legislature passed two important bills which I have been working on for the last three years, and also voted to start the process to rebuild the Muldoon/ Glenn Highway interchange.
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NEWS: LEGISLATURE APPROVES “CHILD-ONLY” INSURANCE COVERAGE
Guttenberg bill piggybacked on another measure
JUNEAU, Alaska – In an unusual maneuver, the Alaska State Legislature early this morning enacted the essence of Representative David Guttenberg’s (D- Fairbanks) House Bill 326 to substantially increase access to “child-only” health insurance. Existing law prevents parents with pre-existing conditions from acquiring health insurance solely for their children. HB 326 would have remedied that by allowing parents to purchase insurance for their dependent children.
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Democrats on Education Proposal: Fair Compromise, Schools Still Deserve Better
Lots of good for schools, but not enough to prevent cuts this year or in the future
JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats claimed a partial victory in the debate over school funding as the House passed a bill that provides far more resources to Alaska’s schools than what the governor proposed. The governor flat funded education and later proposed what was effectively a $10 million one-time increase, far short of keeping up with inflation.
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NEWS: Legislature Reinstates Texting While Driving Ban
Bi-partisan Bill Will Prevent Deadly Practice
Today, the Legislature passed bi-partisan legislation led by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines) to put Alaska’s strong anti-texting law back on the books. Last year, a number of judges questioned whether the existing law covers texting while driving.
“The Legislature intended to ban dangerous conduct like texting while driving. Rather than wait for appeals, we’re sending a clear message to the public, now, that texting, and typing on personal and computer devices can cause death and serious injury. In an average text you drive the length of a football field before paying attention to driving. We don’t want cars to be moving weapons,” said Rep. Gara.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Constituent Survey Results Are Now Available
Dear Neighbors,
Today is final day of the 27th Alaska Legislature. We are in the process of wrapping up the most essential state business including passing the capital and operating budgets and enacting a special package for education. It is still unknown whether the house will accept the Senate’s proposed legislation to increase tax incentives for new exploration and development on the North Slope. If not, we may be going into extended or special session.
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