NEWS: House Democrats Laud Successful Cook Inlet Lease Sale
Today, four members of the House Democratic Caucus said that today’s successful Cook Inlet lease sale was another reason for Alaskans to be optimistic about Alaska’s ability to meet long-term local energy needs with Alaskan gas.
“The industry’s renewed interest in Cook Inlet is not surprising given the incentives we’ve put in place and the real potential to find large amounts of untapped oil and gas,” said Representative Pete Petersen (D-Anchorage). “It shows they think there’s a lot of gas there, and that they’re willing to produce it. That’s good news for Alaska’s energy future.”
Read More →
Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Texting While Driving Banned Again and Info on Traffic Delays
As you prepare to start your weekend here are a few things to help make your travel safe and hassle free.
First, texting while driving became illegal again starting today. A previous law had not withstood court challenges, so the legislature rewrote the law this year and the governor signed it into law yesterday. From now on, reading or typing a message on a screened device while driving a moving vehicle is against the law.
Second, with the start of the summer construction season, traffic delays and road closures are going to increase. You can get information about which areas to avoid and alternate routes at the following link: Road Project Traffic Delays
Read More →
NEWS: It’s Official: Texting While Driving Is Illegal in Alaska
Ban Signed Into Law Today
Today, thanks to legislation led by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines), Alaska’s strong anti-texting law is officially back on the books. Last year, a number of judges questioned whether the law at the time covered texting while driving, but the new law is clear—it is illegal to text while driving in Alaska.
Read More →
Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: House Adjourns at 5:26 PM, Monday, April 30; Weekly Coffee Meetings to Resume
Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday at 5:26 pm the house adjourned from special session. With the passage of legislation toughening laws against sex trafficking and the Governor’s unprecedented withdrawal of his oil tax bill, the only issue remaining before the legislature was legislation promoting a small diameter gas pipeline from the North Slope to Nikiski.
Read More →
Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Senate Cancels Special Session; and Another Fraud Warning
Citing a legislative legal opinion that the Governor’s removal of his oil tax bill from the special session proclamation is unconstitutional and invalidates the entire document, the state senate has declared an end to special session.
At this time the state house is still in special session but it remains to be seen what will happen next. With the passage of legislation against sex trafficking and the Governor’s withdrawal of his oil tax bill the only remaining issue to be dealt with was the in-state gas line bill. This bill was in possession of the senate and appears to have died with the special session.
Read More →