NEWS: Democrats Introduce Oil Tax Alternative

Reduction for Production: Bill Targets New Oil in the Pipe and Protects Alaska

JUNEAU – House and Senate Democratic legislators introduced legislation today to grant tax concessions to oil producers who put new oil into the pipeline. The bill (SB50, HB 111) targets tax incentives to new fields and to new development in existing fields, and it offers other incentives outside the tax code to spark new development.

Bill Protecting Public Access To Fishing Streams Passes Legislature

Today Representative Les Gara’s legislation to ensure future public access to Alaska’s fishing streams, House Bill 144, passed the Senate. It now goes to the Governor. The bill passed the House last year with a vote of 38 Yeas, and today passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 0.

“We want to protect fishing stream access for this and the next generation. In other states you have to pay access fees, into the thousands of dollars, to fish a stream. We don’t ever want that to happen in Alaska,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anch.), an avid fisherman and fishing writer. The legislation will inexpensively promote access to important fishing streams by encouraging voluntary land trades or purchases with willing landowners so Alaskans have public easements to travel to and along fishing streams that will otherwise be lost over time.

Legislation to Ban Unlimited Corporate and Union Election Spending Passes Committee

Today legislation calling for an end to unlimited corporate and union election spending passed the House State Affairs Committee.

“Unlimited spending by corporations and organizations to influence elections drowns out the public’s voice, and damages the basic democratic priniciple of one person one vote,” said Prime Sponsor of HJR 33, Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage). The legislation calls on the United States Congress to pass a constitutional amendment reversing the controversial 2010 Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, which reversed decades of precedent allowing states and Congress to ban corporate and Union “independent expenditures” by third party groups seeking to influence election outcomes.

Rep. Tuck Introduces Bill to Allow Witnesses to Airport Security Pat-downs

“Having a witness at private pat-down searches will prevent inappropriate procedures”

JUNEAU – Today, Representative Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) introduced legislation (HB 348) to allow travelers to request that a witness be present during private pat-down airport security searches.

Democrats’ Resolution Calls on Governor to Opt-Out of No Child Left Behind

“The federal program has never worked for Alaska. It’s time we set our own standards”

JUNEAU – Today, Rep. Bob Miller and three other Democrats in the Alaska House of Representatives introduced a resolution (HJR 39) calling on the state of Alaska to opt-out of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program and to develop its own Alaska-appropriate education standards.

“No Child Left Behind was a federal mandate that never worked for Alaska,” said Rep. Miller. “It’s time we develop our own Alaska-appropriate standards and get out from under this federal program that set too many of our schools up to fail.”

Rep. Petersen Bill Would Allow Repayment of Energy Upgrades on Utility Bills

Bill would make it easier for Alaskans to pay off loans for upgrades that lower their energy bills

JUNEAU – Rep. Pete Petersen introduced legislation this week to allow Alaskans to pay off home energy upgrades with the savings they earn on their utility bills from the improvements.

“With energy costs as high as they are these days, we need to do everything we can to make it easier for Alaskans to make their homes more efficient and lower their energy bills,” said Rep. Petersen.

Protecting Public Access To Alaska’s Fishing Streams: HB144 Moves Out of Committee

Today Representative Les Gara’s legislation to ensure future public access to Alaska’s fishing streams, House Bill 144, moved from the Senate Resources Committee. The bill passed the House last year with a vote of 38 Yeas, and tonight passed the Senate Resources Committee.

“We hope the next step is a vote on the Senate Floor, and believe the bill has the support to pass,” said Rep. Les Gara. House Bill 144 will inexpensively promote access to important fishing streams by encouraging voluntary land trades or purchases with willing landowners.

House Joint Resolution 10 “Ocean Acidification Research”

“Supporting expanded research concerning the detrimental effects of ocean acidification.”

House Joint Resolution 10 recognizes the threat ocean acidification poses to Alaska’s marine ecosystems, tourism industry and fisheries. The resolution supports research of ocean acidification to understand the effect ocean acidification would have on Alaska’s economy.

House Passes Rep. Holmes Bill to Help Alaska Enforce Consumer Protections

“Our State should not have its hands tied waiting for federal enforcement to protect our citizens”

This morning, the Alaska State House passed HB 274, a bill by Rep. Lindsey Holmes that will bolster the state’s ability to stand up for the rights of Alaskan consumers.

Rep. Guttenberg Introduces Legislation to Help Children Get Health Coverage

”In Alaska no one offers child only plans”

JUNEAU – Today, Representative David Guttenberg (D- Fairbanks) introduced legislation to make sure Alaskans who want to buy health insurance for their children have the opportunity to do so in Alaska. The bill (HB 326) would require insurance companies operating in Alaska to offer child-only health insurance plans. Currently, no health insurance company in the state accepts applications for individual policies for children.