Note from Rep. Les Gara: Good News For Seniors, College Aid, Possible Please Please End To Special Session Impasse
April 22, 2011
I know you’re frustrated, and I’ve been incredibly frustrated, that we are in an extended session. But It seems like an end to the impasse may be near. So I won’t mention at all that I’d rather be in the middle of a fishing stream than in the middle of an extended session squabble. I will mention – for those of you who believe in needs-based financial aid so people can afford college and vocational education – that today we made some significant progress.
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[video] Rep. Les Gara’s Floor Speech: Governor’s Letter Blaming Senate For Not Agreeing to his $8 billion Giveaway of State Oil Revenue Harming Ability to Resolve Special Session Differences
April 22, 2011
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Note from Rep. Gara: The Avoidable Special Session: Why the Governor’s Threat Against the Senate on Oil Taxes Didn’t Help Things.
April 18, 2011
Let me say this for the record. The Legislative session should have ended yesterday. I was willing to get all my work done, but in politics at the end of session the negotiations get taken over by a few of the highest ranking leaders – and roughly 50 of the 60 of us have no say other than the moral prodding we can offer those negotiators. That’s not to say who among the negotiators was at fault. But here’s what I do know, and what most of the media didn’t report.
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[video] Rep. Gara House Floor Speech on The Avoidable Special Session
April 18, 2011
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Note from Rep. Gara: End of Session Inching Closer. Or Not.
April 15, 2011
Sunday is the official end of session, but there have been tensions between the House Speaker – who gave a speech suggesting a possible extended session - and Senate leaders. Presently, since I have learned over the past nine years that I can’t change any of the minds that will make that decision, I’m walking around those folks in a ducking position and looking right and left a lot to make sure I don’t end up in crossfire.
Except – I did end up in crossfire yesterday, first in a fight over the Governor’s scholarship bill, and then on a last minute move that took increased K-12 education funding out of a bill last night.
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