Democrats Offer Savings, Education, and Energy Budget Amendments
March 15, 2012
Amendments target proven ways to build today’s resources into tomorrow’s opportunity
JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats offered a series of amendments to the state operating budget targeted to saving money, reducing waste, improving schools, and lowering energy costs.
“Our goal all year has been to find ways to build today’s resources into tomorrow’s opportunities,” said House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau). “The Permanent Fund, our children’s education and Alaska’s home energy efficiency rebates are all proven ways to do that.”
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Bi-partisan Bill to Crack Down on Arson Passes House
March 6, 2012
Bill would allow state to prosecute those who plan fires, not just those who set them
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed bi-partisan legislation to protect Alaskans from arsonists and those who support them. The legislation (HB 56) by Representative Carl Gatto (R-Palmer), Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) and Representative Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage) adds arson to the list of serious crimes under Alaska’s conspiracy laws. This will allow the state to prosecute people who plan arson in addition to those who actually set the fires.
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Rep. Petersen Resolution Supports Community Efforts to Create Muldoon Park
February 27, 2012
“Community effort to create this park is an example of grassroots democracy at its best”
JUNEAU – As the Anchorage Assembly considers a proposal that would hurt the efforts by Muldoon area residents to create a city park on the former site of the Alaska Greenhouse, Rep. Pete Petersen (D-Anchorage) has introduced a resolution (HCR 27) to support the effort to create what local residents have dubbed the “Muldoon Park Strip.” Despite residents’ desires to create the park, the Municipality of Anchorage is considering whether to sell most of this land.
“As the representative for Northeast Anchorage and Muldoon, my job is to listen to my neighbors and help them build the community they want,” Petersen said. “The community effort to create this park is an example of grassroots democracy at its best and I am proud to stand with them.”
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Democrats Call on Governor to Make Stronger Commitment to Education
February 13, 2012
Keeping up with inflation allows schools to focus on where to improve, not where to cut
JUNEAU – Today, House Democrats called on the governor to join them in an effort to prevent Alaska’s school districts from having to make more cuts in the classroom due to inflation. The legislators sent a letter to the governor earlier today requesting that he be open to meeting school district needs by increasing the per-student allocation enough to cover the costs of inflation.
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Democrats’ Bill to Extend Voting by Mail Passes Committee
February 2, 2012
Bill would make it easier for seniors, rural Alaskans and people with disabilities to vote
JUNEAU – Representative Max Gruenberg’s bill to make voting by mail easier passed the House State Affairs Committee today. The bill would allow all Alaskans the same right as military and overseas voters whose applications to vote by mail remain effective for two general elections (up to four years).
“Participating in our democracy is a right of citizenship,” said Rep. Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), “and it should not be made difficult or inconvenient. Reducing the paperwork to vote by mail makes it easier for Alaskans to vote, especially those who have a hard time getting to their polling place.”
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