NEWS: Representative Tarr Introduces Legislation to Protect Wild Alaska Salmon
January 19, 2016
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) introduced legislation aimed at protecting wild Alaska salmon and thriving, sustainable fisheries. House Bill 258 will prohibit the sale of genetically modified fish, dubbed “Frankenfish,” in the state of Alaska. House Joint Resolution 28 denounces the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of AquaBounty’s AquAdvantage genetically engineered salmon. This is the first time a genetically modified animal has been approved by the FDA for human consumption.
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NEWS: Democrats Introduce Permanent Committee to Review State Spending & Revenue
January 19, 2016
JUNEAU – Today, Rep. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), Rep. Sam Kito (D-Juneau), and Rep. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) introduced HCR 16 to establish the House Standing Committee on Ways & Means to consider methods to control state spending, identify ways to make government programs more efficient, and review measures that raise state revenue.
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OPINION: Time to Make Tough Choices for Alaska
January 18, 2016
As the legislative session gets ready to start on Tuesday, it seems everybody is talking about the state budget deficit. As I see it, the state is like a cardiac patient who risks a major heart attack. His doctor tells him to quit smoking, lose weight, change his diet, exercise and take his meds. The patient asks, “What if I lose weight first and then try the other stuff?” This won’t cut it, there is no one silver bullet and the patient needs to address all these issues.
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NEWS: Constitutional Amendment Proposed to Limit Legislative Sessions to 90 Days
January 18, 2016
JUNEAU – Three members of the Alaska House of Representatives have pre-filed legislation to strengthen the 2006 ballot initiative that limits regular sessions of the Alaska Legislature to 90 days.
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NEWS: Legislation Proposed to Spur Timely Action on Alaska Budget
January 16, 2016
JUNEAU – In light of Alaska’s urgent need to get its fiscal house in order this session, Senator Bill Wielechowski (D–Anchorage) and Representative Scott Kawasaki (D–Fairbanks) will introduce cost-saving legislation to ensure that if legislators do not pass an operating budget within the voter-mandated 90-day session, they will not receive salary or per diem until the work is accomplished. They hope to incentivize legislators to buckle down and focus on the task at hand.
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