Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Big Legislation Left
Dear Neighbors, There are sixteen days left in the 28th Alaska State Legislature and there is a lot of big legislation still on the table.
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Rep. Sam Kito’s Newsletter: Bills on the Move
This week, the education debate has heated up with House Finance releasing a Committee Substitute and considering amendments to the omnibus Education bill (HB 278). The bill that finally came out of the committee included some troubling changes from the Education Committee version. I am especially concerned about the changes to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), which could cause the insolvency or exhaustion of the trust fund in ten years. This would result in a pay-as-you-go plan that would make active teachers pay for retired teachers and significantly increase the required contribution by active teachers.
Read More →Note from Rep. Gara: “Factiness” On Education: 3 More Years of Layoffs Isn’t Progress
I am in the middle of working on the Legislature’s education bill – which is looking grim after a marathon House Finance Committee debate last night. With the help of thousands of great, vocal, active students and parents, I think we can still fix this bill together.
Read More →Rep. Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Capital Budget Public Testimony
The Legislature is on course for its typical end of session meltdowns and logjams. The House Finance Committee has just received an Education committee substitute bill that is pretty far from the original governor’s proposal. We have a lot of work to do to understand it and try to make it better.
Read More →Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Should we legalize marijuana and raise the minimum wage?
This Saturday the House and Senate Judiciary committees are discussing two ballot initiatives that will be voted on during the primary election on August 19th. The committees are also hosting a public comment session at the conclusion of the meeting.
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