News: Proposed Cuts to Public Education Funding Dangerous and Unacceptable
Juneau – Education is Alaska’s best investment and the members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition adamantly object to a proposal to reduce public education funding by over 18 percent. The House Finance Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Education and Early Development approved the FY 2016 budget proposal Tuesday night despite the objections of Rep. Sam Kito III (D-Juneau) and Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan).
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NEWS: Legislation Filed to Declare July Alaska Peony Month
Juneau – On Friday, Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) filed legislation to celebrate the achievements of the peony industry by declaring the month of July to be Alaska Peony Month.
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NEWS: House Passes Legislation to Expand the Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Adam Wool (D-Fairbanks) to expand the popular Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks. House Bill 70 passed by a vote of 37-1 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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NEWS: Legislators Propose Major Overhaul of Alaska’s Code of Military Justice
Juneau – Legislation to overhaul Alaska’s seldom used and outdated Code of Military Justice was introduced today in both the Alaska House and Senate. A recent non-partisan legislative research report detailed shortcomings in the Alaska Code of Military Justice and found that the leadership of the Alaska National Guard was largely unaware that the Code even existed. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) and Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Leader Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage).
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NEWS: New Report: 2014 Education Law, 2015 Budget Proposals Lag Education Far behind Inflation Cost Increases
Juneau - A new legislative research report requested by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) shows that public education funding will fall behind inflation next school year, under either the GOP’s three year plan passed last year, or the Governor’s proposed revisions. A number of school districts will likely cut teachers and other educational staff under both proposals. These cuts come on top of the loss of over 600 staff in Alaska’s largest school districts in fiscal years 2011-2014.
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