NEWS: House Democrats Laud Successful Cook Inlet Lease Sale

Today, four members of the House Democratic Caucus said that today’s successful Cook Inlet lease sale was another reason for Alaskans to be optimistic about Alaska’s ability to meet long-term local energy needs with Alaskan gas.

“The industry’s renewed interest in Cook Inlet is not surprising given the incentives we’ve put in place and the real potential to find large amounts of untapped oil and gas,” said Representative Pete Petersen (D-Anchorage). “It shows they think there’s a lot of gas there, and that they’re willing to produce it. That’s good news for Alaska’s energy future.”

NEWS: It’s Official: Texting While Driving Is Illegal in Alaska

Ban Signed Into Law Today

Today, thanks to legislation led by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines), Alaska’s strong anti-texting law is officially back on the books. Last year, a number of judges questioned whether the law at the time covered texting while driving, but the new law is clear—it is illegal to text while driving in Alaska.

NEWS: House Democrats Call on NOAA to Assist With Tsunami Debris

“Tsunami debris threatens Alaskan coastal resources, communities and economies”

JUNEAU – Today, eight members of the Alaska House Democratic Caucus called on the federal government to create an aggressive plan to protect Alaska’s coastline from the threat posed by debris from last year’s tsunami in Japan.

“This debris could cause serious ecological, health and safety concerns for our coastal communities, not to mention significant economic impacts that could ripple throughout the state,” said House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula (Juneau). “We know it’s coming—the first of it is already here. We need federal resources to get an idea of what we’re up against so we can develop the best way to deal with these waves of debris that could keep coming for months or more.”

NEWS: Rep. Tuck to Impersonators: This Needs to Stop

JUNEAU – Today, officials from the Alaska Department of Transportation notified Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) that someone posing as him has been calling residents of his district and giving them false information that a pending road construction project in their area has been cancelled.

According to an email from Highway Design Project Manager Jim Amundsen, “The reports came from a couple of different property owners that were very upset since our ROW section has already been in contact with them and DOT&PF is in the early stages of acquiring their property for the project. “

House Democratic Leader Responds to Governor Pulling the Plug on His Oil Tax Giveaway

JUNEAU – Tonight, House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula released the following statement in response to Governor Parnell’s announcement that he is withdrawing his oil tax legislation.

“This is a good day for Alaska. I’m glad the governor just pulled the plug on his bad bill. The writing was on the wall when the governor introduced a bill that was nearly identical to his last giveaway. The facts have never supported giving away more of Alaska’s share, especially for nothing in return. I’m very proud of the House Democrats, and everyone else who worked against his oil tax giveaway.”

NEWS: Public Fishing Stream Access Bill Signed Into Law

Today, the governor signed into law Representative Les Gara’s legislation to ensure future public access to Alaska’s fishing streams, House Bill 144. The bill passed the House last year with a vote of 38 Yeas and passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 0 on February 27.

“I want to thank the governor and the legislative body for their support in protecting Alaskans’ access to fishing streams for this and the next generation. In other states you have to pay access fees to fish a stream, or are simply blocked from this public resource. We don’t ever want that to happen in Alaska,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage), an avid fisherman and fishing writer.

NEWS: LEGISLATURE APPROVES “CHILD-ONLY” INSURANCE COVERAGE

Guttenberg bill piggybacked on another measure

JUNEAU, Alaska – In an unusual maneuver, the Alaska State Legislature early this morning enacted the essence of Representative David Guttenberg’s (D- Fairbanks) House Bill 326 to substantially increase access to “child-only” health insurance. Existing law prevents parents with pre-existing conditions from acquiring health insurance solely for their children. HB 326 would have remedied that by allowing parents to purchase insurance for their dependent children.

Democrats on Education Proposal: Fair Compromise, Schools Still Deserve Better

Lots of good for schools, but not enough to prevent cuts this year or in the future

JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats claimed a partial victory in the debate over school funding as the House passed a bill that provides far more resources to Alaska’s schools than what the governor proposed. The governor flat funded education and later proposed what was effectively a $10 million one-time increase, far short of keeping up with inflation.

NEWS: Legislature Reinstates Texting While Driving Ban

Bi-partisan Bill Will Prevent Deadly Practice

Today, the Legislature passed bi-partisan legislation led by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines) to put Alaska’s strong anti-texting law back on the books. Last year, a number of judges questioned whether the existing law covers texting while driving.

“The Legislature intended to ban dangerous conduct like texting while driving. Rather than wait for appeals, we’re sending a clear message to the public, now, that texting, and typing on personal and computer devices can cause death and serious injury. In an average text you drive the length of a football field before paying attention to driving. We don’t want cars to be moving weapons,” said Rep. Gara.

NEWS: Bill Protecting Public Access To Fishing Streams Sent to Governor

Today, the Speaker of the House sent Representative Les Gara’s legislation to ensure future public access to Alaska’s fishing streams, House Bill 144, to the governor for his signature. The bill passed the House last year with a vote of 38 Yeas and passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 0 on February 27.

“I want to thank the Speaker for sending this bill to the governor and the legislative body for their support in protecting Alaskans’ access to fishing streams for this and the next generation. In other states you have to pay access fees to fish a stream, or are simply blocked from this public resource. We don’t ever want that to happen in Alaska,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage), an avid fisherman and fishing writer.