Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Anti-Sex Ed Measure Passes, Wednesday Testimony on Oil and Gas Subsidies & Criminal Justice Reform
May 10, 2016
I’m still in Juneau, and we are working almost exclusively on the budget. I say almost because Representative Keller was able to bring up House Bill 156, that aims to end sex education, in a last minute procedural maneuver and get the one vote he needed for it to pass. This controversial bill received strong opposition statewide and hundreds wrote or testified to ask for a no vote. Most opposition discussed how critical this information is if we ever want to address our chronically high rates of sexual assault. Our rate of rape in Alaska far exceeds the national average.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Why are we Still Here? - Crime Bill Passes House, Congratulations UA Graduates
May 6, 2016
It’s Day 110 and many of us are still working in Juneau. Construction is underway at the Capitol so we moved in to a small rental near downtown. After 4 days of debate, the House voted on SB 91, the “Crimnibus” bill that overhauls the criminal justice system in a way Alaska has not seen since 1978. Below is an update about this legislation and why we’re still here.
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Rep. Spohnholz’s Newsletter: Day 100 and Counting
April 28, 2016
It’s time for the total package!
Alaska has a $4.1 billion deficit due a budget that has been over reliant on one source of revenue—oil—which is at historically low prices right now. Oil is not projected to get above $50 per barrel anytime in the next 10 years, so we can’t just hope for prices to rebound. We only have enough funds on hand to cover about 25% of Alaska’s budget.
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Rep. Tuck’s Newsletter: Special Edition Fiscal Crisis Newsletter
April 22, 2016
As you are probably aware, the Legislature has extended beyond its standard 90 day limit as lawmakers work to come to agreement on fixing Alaska’s fiscal crisis.
It is regrettable that we are in this position, but I intend to work as long as is necessary to come up with a responsible plan that is fair to regular Alaskans.
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Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Legislative Update: The Outstanding Issues
April 22, 2016
We are now 95 days into the second session of the 29th Legislature and there are still a number of issues that have yet to be resolved. These include the Omnibus Crime Bill (SB91), the Operating and Capital Budgets, a new plan for drawing from the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve (SB128 & HB245), and a revision of our generous Oil and Gas Tax Credit System (HB247). At this time, most other legislation is essentially dead and the majority of the attention has been focused on these key issues. (Some bills, like the Campus Carry Bill could always resurface, however).
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