Juneau — Today, Representative Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) introduced legislation that limits state power by repealing statutes that allow the state to not renew occupational licenses for defaulting on a student loan.
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Please join us this Saturday, February 20th from 4 – 5pm at West High (Room C252 in the new add-on building) for a constituent town hall meeting with Senator Costello, Greg Razo (Chair of the Criminal Justice Commission), and me!
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The House voted this week to suspend non-budget related committee hearings. This move allows us to focus on budget topics. Budget subcommittee meetings have been extended and the House Finance Committee is meeting daily. Yesterday, the Finance Committee hosted a “Budget 101,” which is a helpful resource to understanding budget documents. I will keep you as informed as possible as we go through the next few weeks on opportunities for public testimony and other community events.
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Juneau – Today, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers gave the annual State of the Judiciary Address to the members of the Alaska House and Senate. In his speech, Chief Justice Stowers outlined, in great detail, how the Alaska Court system is working to streamline services and save money as Alaska is facing huge fiscal challenges. He also called on the members of the House and Senate to work together and make the hard decisions that are needed to allow Alaska to weather the current fiscal storm. Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), a member of the House Finance Committee’s Courts Budget Subcommittee, praised Justice Stowers’ speech as an example for lawmakers to emulate as they consider how to address the nearly $4 billion budget deficit.
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Juneau – Last Friday was the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution. The convention in Fairbanks featured 55 Alaskans, elected from all regions and walks of life. These far-thinking delegates came together as one and crafted a document that has guided not only the state government, but also Alaska’s institutions and people. The constitutional example is being followed today by the Alaska Senate Democrats and the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition as they propose a new structure for the 29th Alaska Legislature.
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