OP-ED: Why we should be investing in early childhood education during a budget crisis
February 14, 2016
Everyone is talking about numbers this session. Alaska’s budget deficit is nearly $3.5 billion. The Republican-led majority threatens to cut an additional $1 billion from state government spending. Over $3 million is slated to be cut from early childhood education, which would decimate effective programs like Parents as Teachers, the Imagination Library, and pre-k in Alaska.
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Rep. Drummond’s Newsletter: Roads, Budgets, and Puppies
February 10, 2016
Why did the chicken cross Spenard Road? It didn’t. It would have died. Spenard Road has long been a frustration for many people in our district. Trying to turn on to 27th Avenue to get to Bear Tooth can be a downright nightmare at times. Plans for reconstruction have been in the works for decades. It began as a traffic and safety project in 1999 and has been a long and often arduous process ever since. That is finally about to change.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: House Concentrates on Passing Budget
February 10, 2016
This week, the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition and the Senate Democratic Caucus decided to follow the example of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention by proposing that all members of the Legislature put aside partisan politics and work together as one caucus of the whole.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Minority Proposes “Caucus of the Whole”
February 9, 2016
Yesterday the democratic coalition rolled out a compromise message to the legislature. The minority leaders from both the house and the senate proposed a “caucus of the whole”—a unified legislature—one which works together and removes partisanship in the legislature to aid in moving forward in finding a solution to the budget deficit. This proposition was set forth with the spirit of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution in mind, when people from all sides were able to come together and do what was best for our newly emerging state.
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NEWS: House and Senate Minorities Propose Creating a Caucus of the Whole in the Alaska Legislature
February 8, 2016
Juneau – Last Friday was the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution. The convention in Fairbanks featured 55 Alaskans, elected from all regions and walks of life. These far-thinking delegates came together as one and crafted a document that has guided not only the state government, but also Alaska’s institutions and people. The constitutional example is being followed today by the Alaska Senate Democrats and the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition as they propose a new structure for the 29th Alaska Legislature.
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