NEWS: It’s “Unconscionable”: Democratic Legislators Decry Governor’s Decision to Reject Medicaid Expansion
November 15, 2013
Today, Representative Andy Josephson and Representative Geran Tarr offered the following statements in response to the governor’s decision not to accept the federal government’s offer to expand Medicaid coverage to all Alaskans making less than 138% of the federal poverty level and instead to study the issue for another year.
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NEWS: Appeals Court: Old Texting While Driving Law Not Enough
November 8, 2013
2012 Gara-Thomas legislation prevents Alaska from being one of few states without prohibition
Alaska’s old law prohibiting the use of certain visual display screen devices while driving did not prohibit texting while driving, according to an Alaska Court of Appeals decision issued this week. The decision upholds Kenai Peninsula Magistrate Jennifer K. Wells’ action that called the law into question and inspired Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and former Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines) to pass a law specifically outlawing texting while driving in Alaska.
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ADVISORY: Rep. Gara to Speak at First-in-Nation Foster Parenting Forum
November 1, 2013
Friday forum to promote foster parenting in Alaska
On Friday, Representative Les Gara will speak at the “Fostering Hope Forum”, which aims to educate Alaskans about adopting foster youth to help them find permanent homes.
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NEWS: Rep. Gara Office Can Now Receive “Laptops for Foster Youth” Donations
October 29, 2013
Gara renews call for more donated laptops
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) announced that those wishing to donate laptop computers to the Laptops for Foster Youth program may drop them off at his legislative office in downtown Anchorage.
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NEWS: Alaska Foster Parent Ad Wins National Honors
October 17, 2013
Rep. Gara congratulates Alaska DHSS for its work on the winning video
Today, Representative Les Gara congratulated the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for earning five awards in the National Public Health Information Coalition’s 2013 Awards for Excellence in Public Health Communications, including the gold medal for its foster parent recruitment video, “One Child.”
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