Doogan bill would protect athletes from serious brain injuries
JUNEAU – Today the Alaska Senate unanimously passed a bill that would protect student athletes from serious brain injuries resulting from multiple concussions.
Read More →Sunday is the official end of session, but there have been tensions between the House Speaker – who gave a speech suggesting a possible extended session - and Senate leaders. Presently, since I have learned over the past nine years that I can’t change any of the minds that will make that decision, I’m walking around those folks in a ducking position and looking right and left a lot to make sure I don’t end up in crossfire.
Except – I did end up in crossfire yesterday, first in a fight over the Governor’s scholarship bill, and then on a last minute move that took increased K-12 education funding out of a bill last night.
Read More →Oil Taxes? Who Knows?
Apparently we are not going to pass an oil tax bill this session. Fine by me. Maybe the delay will allow Gov. Sean Parnell to come to his senses and realize that giving the oil industry a couple of billion dollars a year because – well, just because – isn’t good public policy.
And maybe monkeys will fly out of my nose.
Read More →The Capital Budget is one of the last items to pass at the end of session. The budget contains all of the funds for construction of roads and buildings and special appropriations for one-time items requested by communities. This year, I focused on projects to improve the quality of life, improve energy availability and major state responsibilities including education and state infrastructure. The budget contains some of these important projects for the Fairbanks. The state received thousands of requests that total several billion dollars to 432 communities. Though they are all important to the someone, the Senate had to do a good job of cutting out all but the essential priorities.
Read More →Dear Neighbors,
With less than one week remaining in the Legislative Session, things are heated up in the Capital.
Now that the logjam created by three weeks of oil tax debate has broken, committees are ramping up in reviewing legislation, budgets are under heavy discussion, and the House is voting on four to twelve bills every day. I’m in the office at least from 7am until 10pm every day of the week, and am working hard for our best interests.
Read More →