Note from Rep. Gara: Ducking Responsibility: Losing 217 More Education Staff; Police Cuts; and a Volunteer Opportunity
August 29, 2013
Dear Neighbors,
Sometimes the news reports things as if they just happened out of the blue. With dwindling reporters, it’s hard for the media to connect actions by the Governor and Legislature with what happens months later. Well, let’s talk about that. And let’s talk about that feel-good, but unsustainable spike in drunk driving enforcement you may have read about, and ….opportunities and sobering facts relating to Hunger Action Month.
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NEWS: School Ratings Linked to Lack of State Commitment to Education
August 16, 2013
Performance improving, but budget cuts and annual uncertainty hindering progress
Today, as the State of Alaska released its new school rankings, House Democratic Representatives said school rankings would improve in Alaska if school districts could count on adequate resources from one year to the next.
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Rep. Andy Josephson’s Newsletter: A Time to Learn: Committees and Conferences
August 7, 2013
While the legislature is out of session, bills cannot be passed by the House or Senate to become law; however, committees do meet for informational hearings on specific issues or pieces of legislation.
I have spent the past couple of weeks (with the exception of several wonderful hikes around town in the gorgeous weather!) attending committee hearings and conferences to become a better informed representative. Please contact me if you would like to know more about any of the issues I discuss below.
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NEWS: As Congress Debates Student Loans, Alaska Should Act
July 18, 2013
Reps. Gara and Tarr reach out to fellow legislators to lower student loan costs
Today, as Congress continues to debate the doubling of federal student loan rates, Representative Les Gara and Representative Geran Tarr (both D-Anchorage) reached out to fellow Alaska lawmakers to help lower the costs of higher education, job training, and high student loan rates for Alaskans. The two lawmakers wrote their colleagues in the House of Representatives seeking their input and collaboration before the 2014 legislative session.
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NEWS: Rep. Gara: ASD Summer School Closings Could be Prevented
May 29, 2013
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released the following statement in response to the Anchorage School District announcement that it is canceling summer school programs this summer due to budget restrictions.
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