Last evening the Second Session of the 29thAlaska Legislature came to a close without any significant action to address the ongoing fiscal crisis. The Legislature failed to pass the FY 2017 Operating Budget, putting thousands of state workers at risk of being laid off.
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I hope everyone enjoyed the great sunshine this weekend! On Friday, a bipartisan group in the House passed an oil and gas tax and subsidy reform bill, House Bill 247. This legislation puts us one step closer to agreeing to a responsible action plan for Alaska.
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Today, Tuesday May 17, 2016, the Goldstream Valley Watershed Project will host a community meeting at the Ken Kunkel Community Center. I’m working in Juneau for the extended session, but my staff will be there to listen to your concerns.
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In March, the Superior Court of Alaska dismissed the lawsuit to stop Medicaid expansion, stating that Governor Walker acted within the boundaries of the law when he bypassed the legislature to go forth with the expansion. Recently, the Legislature filed an appeal of that decision. I do not support this action.
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Nothing about my first legislative session has been “normal.” I came to Juneau to fill the seat vacated by the passing of Rep. Max Gruenberg, my first day of work was a 20 hour budget floor session, and now we are on day 116 of a 90 day session as we are working to fill in a $4B deficit. I expect that the legislature will make headlines with some historic decisions in the coming weeks, but today I want to update you on a few key issues.
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