Note from Rep. Les Gara: Now You Don’t See It, Now You Do - Big Knik Bridge $ubsidy
March 26, 2012
The state’s no longer on the hook to guarantee to cover all financial losses for the private contractor who will build and operate the proposed Knik Arm Bridge. Oh wait. News flash! Yes it will.
Two years ago the promoters of the Knik Arm Bridge promised this billion dollar project would be built, paid for, and operated by a private contractor, which would recoup its costs with tolls. Then the Mayor of Anchorage and Governor changed their minds. Now they want state money to subsidize the private contractor. Then, a funny thing happened on my way to work last Friday. Well, it happened at work.
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Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Improving Service to Veterans; Honoring Hmong Veterans
March 23, 2012
The Legislative session is getting pretty busy. We have less than a month left in the session and there are a lot of important pieces of legislation being considered. As always, I appreciate hearing from you on what your priorities for this session are.
Working to Improve Veterans Services
One important issue I have been working hard on is how we can improve our services to veterans. I often hear from veterans who do not know how to apply for the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.
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Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL LIMPING INTO THE HOME STRETCH EDITION
March 23, 2012
Bills, We Got Bills
Yesterday was the 66th day of the legislative session. Puts me in mind of the fabulous old TV show Route 66, Tod and Buz off to discover America in a ’59 Corvette. And, of course, it is 2/3s of the Number of the Beast as found in Revelations, an extremely dour book of the Bible.
So it is either an invitation to escape (only 24 days left!!!) or a harbinger of disaster (extended session, special session, name calling!!!). Take your pick.
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Rep. Lindsey Holmes’ Newsletter: Come to our Constituent Pizza Party this Saturday!
March 22, 2012
For most people this time of year means the beginning glimmers of spring (although the Anchorage weather gods don’t seem to have gotten the memo). For the Legislature it means crunch time. With less than four weeks to go in the legislative session, things are really heating up in the Capitol. The House recently passed the State’s operating budget, the Senate Finance Committee is debating oil taxes, and the House Finance committee is discussing an increase to K-12 education funding as well as a bill to promote a small diameter in-state gas line. These are just a few of the hot issues heading into the end of session.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Highlights from the Operating Budget
March 16, 2012
Last night the house passed the operating budget for 2013. Although there were several changes I would have liked, I ultimately supported this budget because of the many positive benefits it will bring to all Alaskan families.
Budget highlights
We have expanded pre-kindergarten by adding courses at the university of Alaska to train pre-kindergarten teachers and adding funds for Best Beginnings and Alaska’s Parents as Teachers program (PAT).
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