Note from Rep. Gara: Education Pressure Working? Silenced Experts & Not All Gas Pipelines Are the Same
March 27, 2013
Dear Neighbors,
Earlier this week I woke up to killer whales in the Gastineau Channel. At first I thought that could be a bad omen. Then I thought, “I could use some cereal.” That’s just how you have to roll in this job. You do what you can, work harder than you want to give yourself the best chance to make a difference, look at the killer whales, forget them and move on.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Action Alert on School Cuts; Our Housing Bill Passes House; Bad Oil News
March 22, 2013
Dear Neighbors,
You ever have a disaster that could have hurt you, and you survived? Got stuck in mud while fishing and didn’t drown? Almost got hit by a car? Well, that’s what this week was like. In a partisan session, where one party controls the House, Senate and Governor’s Office, we have a system that breeds partisanship instead of one that moves the state forward. That never works well, whichever party is in charge. So, it’s a good week when I can share good and bad news with you. That’s what kind of session this is.
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NEWS: Gara Calls on Governor to Stop Silencing World Renowned Oil Tax Experts
March 21, 2013
Consultants are respected, know Alaska, and should be accessible to Legislators
Today Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the Governor to allow world class oil policy experts, who the Administration has on contract but has so far prevented from speaking, to consult with legislators, provide analysis, and provide their views on an oil tax policy that will work. See pages 6 and the Amendment page in the attached contract. The two experts, Rich Ruggiero and Bob George, consulted on ACES and have ideas on improving that law. They have been hired by the Governor but cannot without the Governor’s consent, speak to legislators or the public.
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Rep. Gara Statement on Bi-Partisan Housing Quality, Access Bill
March 20, 2013
Jointly Written Costello and Gara Bill Makes Communities and AHFC Housing More Vibrant, More Available
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) issued the following statement on a bill sponsor Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) and he as a co-sponsor wrote and worked on together. The Bill, HB 50, passed the House today. A description of the bill is more fully detailed in a press release sent out by the House Republican Press Office today.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Supporters Admit Oil Giveaway a “Crapshoot”; No New Production Promised From Oil Companies
March 19, 2013
A billion dollars here. A billion dollars there. Whatever.
Is that a way to craft an oil bill for this state’s future? This week one of the architects of the Senate’s oil tax bill similar to the Governor’s version followed oil company testimony stating they wouldn’t guarantee new production if the bill passed – and you just can’t make this stuff up – by saying “It’s kind of a crapshoot”. Juneau Empire, March 17, 2013.
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