Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Coastal Management Program Ended, Plus: Juneau Fares Well in Budget Vetoes
At the end of an eventful week, there’s bad news and good news. First, the bad news. The special session that started on Monday this week ended with the House failing to pass an extension for the Alaska Coastal Management Program. The good news is that Juneau escaped relatively unscathed in the capital budget vetoes announced by the governor on Wednesday. More about both are discussed below.
Thanks for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Special Edition: Goods and Bads of Yesterday’s Budget Vetoes
I hate writing letters two days in a row. But important things have happened two days in a row.
I thought you’d like a rundown of the Governor’s veto decisions. First, let me say that I saw unjustified pork in some of the projects, and thought the budget was too big, so I voted against it. I voted against a $3.2 billion budget, because we have priority services and a need for savings. On the other hand, I can’t fault many of those who voted for the budget. It included some important energy projects to reduce energy costs – projects I defended publicly. It included home energy efficiency upgrade funds (which I voted for as an amendment), and some other priorities I helped get in the budget. So I’d say this: The budget, in my mind, was too big. I agree with the Governor there. But I would have chosen different projects to veto.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Lucy & The Football, Again: Special Session Failure Will Hurt Alaskans.
I’m not a big fan of failure, and not a big fan of spending money on wasted Special Sessions. I’ve now voted three times, including yesterday, to pass the Coastal Zone Management bill that passed the Bi-Partisan Senate Monday, but surprisingly failed by three votes in the House yesterday. Failure to pass the bill gave away a big piece of state sovereignty to the federal government.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Constituent Meeting & Free BBQ / Fixing Roads and Schools
My office, along with Senator Kevin Meyer and Representative Charisse Millett will hold a Constituent Meeting and free BBQ tomorrow evening. I look forward to hearing from you, since you are the eyes and ears in our neighborhoods.
We will have information on road construction projects in our district, legislative news and answers to all your questions.
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Rep. Mike Doogan Unable to Participate in Special Session
Health concerns prevent attendance
Rep. Mike Doogan (D-Anchorage) will be unable to participate in the special session due to health concerns. Rep. Doogan is at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle receiving treatment related to his surgery last year to remove a benign brain tumor. Doogan entered Harborview on Saturday June 25; duration of his treatment is unknown but the prognosis for his recovery is good.
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