Today is the Anchorage Mayoral Run-off Election. Your vote is your voice as an American citizen and an Alaskan. It is your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable, and to have a say in important issues that affect your community.
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Last Thursday, I voted to keep the Legislature working so we could pass a fully funded budget, provide access to affordable healthcare to all Alaskans through Medicaid expansion, and meet our constitutional duty to adequately fund public education. Instead, the House and Senate Majorities passed resolutions by straight party line votes that allow the Legislature to take a recess until May 12th. Senate and House Finance Committees will continue to meet, but the Legislature will not convene a floor session until May 12th.
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JUNEAU – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition concurs with Governor Bill Walker in his call for lawmakers to continue working towards a fully funded budget before taking a break from the special session in Juneau. On Monday, without support from the 13 members of the Coalition, the House and Senate Majorities approved a FY 2016 budget that includes a five percent cut to public education and spending over $3 billion more than available revenue. This flawed budget could result in the elimination of vital state services as soon as August.
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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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Today is the 91st day of the legislative session. Over the past two weeks, I have received countless emails and letters from Alaskans across the state and within our district about several major issues. It is inspiring to hear from so many Alaskans, keep up the good work! In this newsletter, I want to let you know what the Legislature should address before we can head home, and my view on the issues that have received so much public attention.
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