Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: Fairness for Local Property Tax Payers; Internship Opportunity!
You have probably heard about the recent controversy surrounding property tax exemptions for teachers and employees of religious organizations. Representative Berta Gardner and I feel this situation is unfair to other taxpayers, and have introduced House Bill 305, the Property Tax Fairness Act, to fix it.
In 2006, the Legislature significantly broadened the definition of religious property by including exemptions for the residence of “an educator in a private religious or parochial school.” This legislation also expanded the definition of “minister” and broadened the ordination standard for ministers. It also made these tax exemptions mandatory for all Alaska municipalities.
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Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Pizza Party February 18th; Improving Absentee Voting Options; Using Garbage to Make Energy
Mark Your Calendars: Neighborhood Pizza Party February 18
The legislative session is well underway, and it is very important that I hear your thoughts on what you want to see us working on. Senator Bill Wielechowski and I will be holding a neighborhood pizza party on Saturday February 18 from 2:30 to 4pm at the Boys and Girls Club Northeast Community Center. I hope to see you there.
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Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Coastal Management Hearing Scheduled
I’m excited to announce a hearing on the coastal management initiative. Read below for more information.
I’m also including links to a couple of guides for you - one for citizen participation in government and another of frequently called numbers.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.
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Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE $10 BILLION EDITION
I have started to try to get support for my bill to put $10 billion into the Alaska Permanent Fund. The bill is in the Powerful House Finance Committee, of which I am an insignificant member. I haven’t asked for a hearing yet; I want all the members of the House to have a chance to think about it first.
The bill has about the same chance to pass as a snowflake in Hades. There are many bills that offer us the chance to spend, spend, spend. Since spending is much more popular than saving – particularly in an election year – you can write your own script for poor House Bill 194. It won’t have a happy ending. But I’ll give you my pitch anyway.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Day 17 of the Legislative Session, 73 Days Remaining
When I entered public office I took the following oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alaska, and that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Representative to the best of my ability.”
I am grateful to have these constitutional principles to guide me as I represent you in the Alaska Legislature. Among my duties are to ensure that government is instituted solely for the good of the Alaskan people, we maintain a system of public schools open to all children of the state, our right to keep and bear arms is not infringed upon, and our right to privacy is protected.
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