Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Say No to Food Waste & Frankenfish in Alaska
February 11, 2016
February started out with a bang and a bit of sunshine. The budget situation has us all looking for ways to be more efficient with our resources. One issue getting a lot of attention is the issue of food waste. Last September, the US Secretary of Agriculture called for a 50% reduction in food waste by the year 2030 and in December the federal government passed new tax incentives aimed at making it easier for businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, and fisherman, to donate food.
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NEWS: House and Senate Minorities Propose Creating a Caucus of the Whole in the Alaska Legislature
February 8, 2016
Juneau – Last Friday was the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution. The convention in Fairbanks featured 55 Alaskans, elected from all regions and walks of life. These far-thinking delegates came together as one and crafted a document that has guided not only the state government, but also Alaska’s institutions and people. The constitutional example is being followed today by the Alaska Senate Democrats and the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition as they propose a new structure for the 29th Alaska Legislature.
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NEWS: Alaska House of Representatives Unanimously Approves Code of Military Justice for the Alaska National Guard
February 3, 2016
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska State House of Representatives passed legislation that reforms the Alaska National Guard by creating a Code of Military Justice. House Bill 126 provides a framework of processes and consequences for members of the Alaska National Guard who violate military rules and orders.
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Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: Fighting to Lower Health Insurance Costs
January 29, 2016
I was working on this week’s enewsletter about my bill to lower health insurance costs by reforming the rate review process, and then news broke yesterday afternoon that makes this bill even more important. Yesterday, the Division of Insurance announced it was cancelling Moda Health’s ability to sell or renew health insurance plans in Alaska. This leaves Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield as the only company selling individual health insurance, and now that one provider has a monopoly it is more important than ever that we a strong rate review process to protect Alaskans from unfair prices.
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NEWS: State Legislators Call for End to Gender Pay Gap in Alaska
January 29, 2016
JUNEAU — Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), Representative Harriet Drummond (D-Anchorage), and Senator Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) are joining lawmakers in more than 20 states in commemorating the 7th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. They are calling attention to the ongoing gender pay gap in Alaska.
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