Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Juneau Update & Report From Alaska Food Security Week
The session should have adjourned on April 19th, but we have gone into overtime to make sure we have a budget that reflects the priorities of Alaskans, including education funding, Medicaid expansion, Erin’s Law, and cutting wasteful spending. This session I’ve received thousands of emails and calls of support for these priorities. When we held budget hearings thousands of Alaskans called in to support these priorities. The support has been overwhelming while the oppositional is minimal. Also, in the case of Medicaid expansion most opposing are asking for reform. I’m proud to have supported House Bill 148, that includes both expansion and reform that will result in hundreds of millions of dollars of savings.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Wrong To Vote For Time Off & Wrong To Treat Oil Companies Better Than Kids and Seniors
Last week this session should have been over. Instead it continued past its 90-day deadline. Then, during the 30-day Special Session the Governor called to finish the budget, pass Medicaid Expansion and Reform and pass legislation supporting children, the GOP asked for time off. I have no problem supporting a Republican Governor who is doing the right thing, and it’s odd that the division here is between the Governor and legislative leaders in his own party.
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Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Special Session
Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned by passing a budget that does not provide access to affordable healthcare to all Alaskans through Medicaid expansion and does not meet our constitutional duty to adequately fund public education. In addition, the budget provides only partial funding for next year and does not reflect the legislative consensus that the Alaska Constitution demands in challenging fiscal times. This Legislature needed to make smart cuts to the budget, but the cuts approved only by the majority are not in line with the interests of the people of Alaska, the Governor, and the Independent-Democratic Coalition.
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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: start of the special session
Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned, which should have been cause for relief (or celebration), but wasn’t. Here’s why: the Legislature passed a budget that is not fully funded – which means the state would run out of money before the next session. Despite days of negotiating, we were unable to reach an agreement on a budget that works for all Alaskans. As a result, Governor Walker called us back into a special session, starting today, Tuesday, April 28 at 10 am.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Special Session
Last night, we adjourned the regular session after 98 days. We left with an unfunded budget after weeks of negotiations. As a member of the Alaska Independent and Democratic Coalition my vote not to open the Constitutional Budget Reserve yesterday, was cast to protect Alaskans. The budget before us hurts children and it doesn’t have to. We can make smart cuts to stalled mega projects and outlandish oil tax credits while still keeping our promises to our children and state employees.
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