Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Pizza Party and Anchorage Caucus February 18th
February 11, 2012
Making Sure Alaskans Have a Voice in Alaskan Fisheries; Committee Passes Waste-to-Energy Resolution
Neighborhood Pizza Party, Anchorage Caucus Meeting a Week from Saturday
It’s been a pretty busy week in the Legislature. I wanted to make sure to remind you of two opportunities to make your voice heard next Saturday, February 18. I will be hosting a free neighborhood pizza party and legislative update from 2:30 to 4 pm at the Boys and Girls Club Northeast Community Center at the corner of Muldoon and Debarr.
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Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: Fairness for Local Property Tax Payers; Internship Opportunity!
February 6, 2012
You have probably heard about the recent controversy surrounding property tax exemptions for teachers and employees of religious organizations. Representative Berta Gardner and I feel this situation is unfair to other taxpayers, and have introduced House Bill 305, the Property Tax Fairness Act, to fix it.
In 2006, the Legislature significantly broadened the definition of religious property by including exemptions for the residence of “an educator in a private religious or parochial school.” This legislation also expanded the definition of “minister” and broadened the ordination standard for ministers. It also made these tax exemptions mandatory for all Alaska municipalities.
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Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: And The Award Goes To… Alaska’s Economy!
January 31, 2012
I returned to Anchorage this past weekend, and boy was it cold! But not as cold as it was in Barrow, the site of the recent Alaskan-filmed movie, Big Miracle – the movie we used to know as Everybody Loves Whales. I was excited to attend the Anchorage premiere of the movie while I was home. Almost every scene featured a local landmark or an Alaskan friend who had been cast in the film. When the credits rolled, the audience erupted in cheers, and we all stayed glued to our seats watching the impressive number of Alaskans and Alaska businesses that took part in the movie. I’m proud of our people and our state, and I’m thrilled that worldwide audiences will get the chance to see both in this film.
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Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Introduction of “PROPERTY TAX FAIRNESS ACT”
January 30, 2012
You have probably heard the commotion relating to property tax exemptions for some religious properties in Anchorage.
Property tax exemptions for religious facilities and for pastor housing have been a longstanding practice in states and municipalities throughout the nation, including in Alaska. In 2006, the definition of religious property was significantly broadened to include some residences of teachers serving at religious institutions.
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Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: Protecting Consumers, Reversing the Brain Drain and Growing Our Economy
January 24, 2012
The Legislature is up and running and I wanted to take this opportunity to fill you in on some of the legislation I’m pursuing this session.
One important role I take very seriously is my responsibility to help protect consumers. My House Bill 274 would close a loophole in the state’s consumer protection laws. My bill would allow the state to go after abusive companies who are not being pursued by the federal government.
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