Juneau Note from Rep. Kawasaki: Alaska’s Last Territorial Governor
Alaska lost a hero from the battle for statehood today. Territorial Governor Mike Stepovich of Fairbanks passed away last night surrounded by family. He served in the House, the Senate and was appointed by President Eisenhower to the post of Governor in 1957. He was a family man and an accomplished attorney. But the greatest legacy that can be shared, and today mourned, by every Alaskan was his steadfast advocacy in the efforts of Alaska to gain statehood. RIP Governor.
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Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: The Education Session: What are we really talking about?
This year’s legislative session has been deemed the “education session.” Big topics include public school funding, vouchers, early education, and the High School Graduating Qualifying Exam. I am dedicated to ensuring our public schools get funding they can count on. I also think that is important to have an open, public conversation about education, and it is long overdue. I am very interested in hearing from you on these issues so please contact me with your questions and comments.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Threatening the People of Ketchikan: Can’t We All Get Along?
Class, welcome to the first day of Third Grade. Oops. I just got reality mixed up with, well, disturbing reality. As you may know, the Governor, and according to him, some unnamed Legislators, threatened they would deny infrastructure and other projects to the people of Ketchikan because the community filed a lawsuit against the state. See here. At least the Governor was honest.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Alaska’s Finances Fall into Ruin while Oil Companies Make Blockbuster Profits
The final session of the 28th Alaska Legislature is well underway. As we wrestle with such issues as a constitutional amendment change to allow state funding of private schools, or whether Alaska should become an investment partner in a future gas pipeline, it is critical that we also stay focused on Alaska’s fiscal situation.
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Rep. Drummond’s Dispatch: Opening ceremonies, closing testimonies
Today, the House Education committee moved House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1) out of committee. This resolution would ask Alaskans to vote on changing our state constitution to allow public funds to go to private and religious schools. The problem is that we have no idea what kind of fiscal impact it will have on our public schools because no one has revealed what a voucher system will look like.
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