NEWS: State Legislators Call for End to Gender Pay Gap in Alaska
January 29, 2016
JUNEAU — Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), Representative Harriet Drummond (D-Anchorage), and Senator Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) are joining lawmakers in more than 20 states in commemorating the 7th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. They are calling attention to the ongoing gender pay gap in Alaska.
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NEWS: Concerns Raised About Monopoly of Individual Health Insurance in Alaska
January 28, 2016
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Division of Insurance cancelled Moda Health’s ability to sell health insurance in Alaska. That leaves Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield as the only company selling individual health insurance plans in Alaska. Representative Adam Wool (D- Fairbanks) responded to the news by highlighting the need to reform Alaska’s health insurance rate review process. Rep. Wool is the sponsor of House Bill 239 which would create a series of reforms to strengthen the Division of Insurance’s review process and make sure consumers are informed of proposed rate increases.
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PRESS ADVISORY: On the 7th Anniversary of Lilly Ledbetter Act, Alaska Lawmakers Will Join National Push to Close Gender Pay Gap
January 27, 2016
Juneau – On Friday, which is the 7th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, three members of the Alaska Legislature will hold a press availability to discuss equal pay legislation being considered during the ongoing legislative session in Juneau. This is part of a larger national effort to raise awareness of the need to ensure women are paid equally for doing the same work as their male counterparts. At Friday’s event the three lawmakers will be joined by other women working on the equal pay issue in Alaska, including representatives with the Alaska Women’s Lobby.
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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: 2016 Session Gets Underway
January 26, 2016
The second session of the 29th Alaska Legislature is underway and the building is full of activity. This year, the focus is on the state’s widening budget deficit – with the deficit estimated at more than $3.5 billion, we have our work cut out for us.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Shadowy Political Operatives Targeting Legislators?
January 25, 2016
Alaska is facing a massive budget deficit. The best way to address it is by working calmly and collaboratively, across party lines, to come to a bi-partisan solution. As the start of the legislative session approached, some of us learned that some Outside national political operatives have been hired– it appears quite clear – to monitor and eventually campaign against legislators who don’t do what they want on a fiscal plan. Having folks like that involved in your legislative process is too shadowy for my likes.
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