NEWS: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway

JUNEAU - Today eight Democratic legislators filed legislation to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend by placing the current dividend formula in the Alaska Constitution. With GOP leaders pushing an oil giveaway that is likely to cost Alaskans upwards of $1 billion or more a year, future legislators are likely to start cutting the Dividend to fund state revenue. To protect against attempts to spend the Dividend in tight economic times, former Governor Jay Hammond proposed an initiative in 2002 that would have enshrined the Dividend in the Constitution, but Lt. Governor Loren Leman rejected it as not able to be done by initiative.

NEWS: Democrats Offer Improvements to Small Gasline Legislation

Amendments would ensure low-cost gas, add accountability, provide maximum benefit to Alaskans

JUNEAU - Tonight, in an effort to add much needed accountability and assurances Alaskans will get low-cost gas and the maximum benefit from a small diameter gasline, Democratic legislators in the Alaska House of Representatives offered a series of amendments to the gasline’s enabling legislation.

House Bill 189 Sponsor Statement: Hazing

Link to the House Bill 189 sponsor statement from the office of Representative Jonathan Kreiss-tomkins

Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: Little Victories

Bycatch be Bygone

I love halibut. You love halibut. We all love halibut — including sport, charter, commercial, and subsistence users, who all sometimes quarrel over who gets to catch how much halibut. Sometimes voices are raised and sharp words exchanged, but it’s because we all love halibut.

NEWS: Democrats Call on Governor to Not Leave Fish High and Dry

Legislators propose amendment So Needed Water Isn’t Withdrawn From Fishing Streams

Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the governor to honor his promise not to “trade one resource for another” [Fairbanks Daily News Miner, March 11, 2010]. He called for the governor’s support in ensuring Alaska’s fish-producing streams maintain the water they need to support healthy fish runs.

Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: Tricks and Treats

Bush Caucus is Back

I’ve joined the Bush Caucus. The Bush Caucus has evolved into more of a coastal caucus in recent years, and includes lawmakers from urban communities such as Juneau. But the spirit is the same: advocate the needs of rural and coastal Alaska. Goodness knows it’s a voice that needs to be heard.

Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: From Juneau with Love

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For the last few weeks, Juneau has had the feel of a college town. I was not surprised to discover that many veterans of the legislature wryly refer to the months between January and May as the legislative “semester.”

I can appreciate the parallels with college. The uptempo pace of the Capitol is fueled by caffeine, gossip, and constant cramming - for the next hearing, press conference, or floor session. The Capitol is exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure.

NEWS: Democrats Introduce School Funding Measure

Alaska’s Schools Need a Lasting Commitment to Build on Successes

JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats introduced legislation to make a lasting commitment to Alaska’s schools by guaranteeing inflation will not lead to more school staff cuts. Nine members of the House Democratic Caucus signed on to the legislation.

House Bill 17 Sponsor Statement “Reducing the Principal of Postsecondary Education Loans for Alaska Students Who Remain in or Return to Alaska”

Link to the sponsor statement PDF from the office of Rep. Les Gara

NEWS: House Democrats Announce New Committee Assignments

JUNEAU - Today, House Democratic leadership announced updated committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session. The seats on the Finance and Resources Committees are tentative until a final decision is made once the entire caucus can meet in person. Currently, one member is out of town due to a family medical situation.