Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: $9.5 Billion and Still Missed Opportunities
March 16, 2012
Last night the Alaska State House passed a $9.5 billion operating budget, the largest operating budget in Alaska’s history. This budget pays for general day-to-day activities state agencies, the University of Alaska, education etc. Given its size, as you can imagine, it includes lots of good and important things as well some pork.
I am disappointed about missed opportunities to put our vast wealth into meaningful opportunities for Alaskans.
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Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL ATTENTION! FREE PIZZA SOON EDITION
March 16, 2012
Take two amendments and call me in the morning
It appears that serving in the Alaska State House of Representatives could be bad for your health.
And not just your mental health, either. (Although some of these committee meetings do leave me even more befuddled than usual.) I’m talking physical health.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Taking Your Marbles & Going Home? Tsk Tsk. The Budget & Higher Ed Scholarship Debate
March 15, 2012
This week we are debating the operating budget. It’s roughly 4% higher than last year, and while I work in a GOP-controlled House, I also believe in trying to find common ground when I can. I don’t believe in the worst we see from Washington, D.C., where many members reflexively oppose measures sponsored by members of the opposite party.
If you want knee jerk politics, there are plenty of people nationally you can idolize. Those people – whether on the state level, or in Congress where folks constantly filibuster to prevent votes and debate, and the ability for compromise, get nothing done. And they harm the constituents they take an oath to represent.
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Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Another Way to Get Help with State Government
March 6, 2012
I have just been appointed to a legislative committee to review candidates for the Alaska State Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman is a state agency, housed in the Legislative Branch, which helps people resolve problems with the state.
The Alaska Legislature created the Office of the Ombudsman to make sure that government follows the rules and treats all citizens fairly and reasonably.
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Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Working for Lower Residential Property Taxes; Protecting Victims’ Rights
March 4, 2012
It’s been another busy week in the Juneau. I’m going to be back home next weekend, and Senator Bill Wielechowski and I will be hosting a neighborhood meeting at the Boys and Girls Club Northeast Community Center at 10:00am on Saturday March 10. Bill and I will bring coffee and donuts, and I hope you will bring some great ideas and questions.
Working for Lower Residential Property Taxes
On Tuesday I presented my bill to allow for more residential property tax relief to the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee.
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