Rep. Miller’s District 7 Update: Special Session Edition
April 20, 2012
Hello from Juneau! Yes, after a long 90-day session, we’re still here to finish some outstanding issues. One of those has already been completed-the Legislature yesterday passed a bill that strengthens laws against sexual trafficking. Still on the docket are bills regarding an in-state gasline and oil taxes.
House Bill 9 is a bill that would provide more powers to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) to build an in-state gasline. While I fully support the concept of the bill-to get a gasline constructed-I have deep concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight AGDC would gain from it. I, along with several of my colleagues, attempted to amend the bill to provide for more Legislative oversight before it passed the House several weeks ago.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Sine Die to Another Special Session
April 18, 2012
Dear Neigbors,
The 27th Alaska Legislature adjourned in the early hours on Monday with acclamation from the House on a job ‘well done.’ The Legislature satisfied the Constitutional requirement of passing a budget and passed a handful of bills to improve the lives of people, lower the cost of energy and keep Alaska on firm economic footing. Within an hour of adjournment, members received the unfortunate news that we would be forced into special session to reconsider the Governor’s tax breaks for big oil corporations. It has been a contentious issue for the last two years and has not received sufficient statewide support from lawmakers. The 30-day special session began today at 1pm at a price tag of around $35K per day.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: A Fast-Moving Update on Bills on the Go
March 28, 2012
Simply put, there are a lot of bills moving and very few weeks left of session. Through extended committee meetings and late night floor sessions, bills are flying through committees, sometimes taking on an ever-so-different look than when they were originally introduced. Here are a few of the more prevalent bills gaining attention around the building and throughout communities statewide to keep you up-to-date. These are important bills that align with the priorities I have worked on this session: Education, Energy, and the Economy.
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Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: $9.5 Billion and Still Missed Opportunities
March 16, 2012
Last night the Alaska State House passed a $9.5 billion operating budget, the largest operating budget in Alaska’s history. This budget pays for general day-to-day activities state agencies, the University of Alaska, education etc. Given its size, as you can imagine, it includes lots of good and important things as well some pork.
I am disappointed about missed opportunities to put our vast wealth into meaningful opportunities for Alaskans.
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Rep. David Guttenberg’s Legislative Report: Budget, Olnes and Goldstream Lights
March 16, 2012
Thank you to everyone who testified on the FY 13 Operating budget. The FY13 Operating Budget passed the House last night. Now it will be transferred to the Senate, where the Senate Finance Committee will make their own additions and deletions.
I am sorry to say that the Republican Majority in House Finance has dissolved ANGDA in the operating budget via an amendment.
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