Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: The Education Session: What are we really talking about?
February 10, 2014
This year’s legislative session has been deemed the “education session.” Big topics include public school funding, vouchers, early education, and the High School Graduating Qualifying Exam. I am dedicated to ensuring our public schools get funding they can count on. I also think that is important to have an open, public conversation about education, and it is long overdue. I am very interested in hearing from you on these issues so please contact me with your questions and comments.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Threatening the People of Ketchikan: Can’t We All Get Along?
February 10, 2014
Class, welcome to the first day of Third Grade. Oops. I just got reality mixed up with, well, disturbing reality. As you may know, the Governor, and according to him, some unnamed Legislators, threatened they would deny infrastructure and other projects to the people of Ketchikan because the community filed a lawsuit against the state. See here. At least the Governor was honest.
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Rep. Drummond’s Dispatch: Opening ceremonies, closing testimonies
February 7, 2014
Today, the House Education committee moved House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1) out of committee. This resolution would ask Alaskans to vote on changing our state constitution to allow public funds to go to private and religious schools. The problem is that we have no idea what kind of fiscal impact it will have on our public schools because no one has revealed what a voucher system will look like.
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NEWS: Rep. Tarr Statement on CNN, Sexual Assault in Alaska, and Tools to Help
February 7, 2014
“CNN just poignantly exposed the horrible situation too many children and families face in Alaska and have faced for far too long. We must do more to combat this problem, and one way is to empower children to report abuse and give adults the tools they need to respond accordingly. Erin’s Law does just that by teaching children and educators age appropriate ways to recognize problematic situations and to find protection. I hope the Legislature will come together to push back against this epidemic of violence in Alaska,” said Tarr.
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NEWS: Guarantee the PFD: Committee Hears Democrats’ Constitutional Amendment
February 6, 2014
JUNEAU - Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) presented a constitutional amendment to enshrine the Permanent Fund Dividend program in the Alaska Constitution to the House State Affairs Committee.
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