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: Alaska State Budget Process
April 13, 2012
With two days left of the 27th Legislative Session, there are a handful of items left to finish. By Constitution, the only obligation of the State Legislature is to pass the state budget. Every year the budget gets wrapped up in the ongoing debate on oil and gas taxes and this year is no different.
Over the next two days there are bound to be several changes to the budget and movement on several important bills. I will try to keep you posted if there are any significant changes that affect you as Fairbanks residents.
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Rep. Miller’s District 7 News: PFD Application Deadline Reminder
March 30, 2012
Dear Friends,
Hello from Juneau! I wanted to send along a quick reminder to remember to apply for your Permanent Fund Dividend - the application period closes tomorrow, March 31st, at 11:59 PM!
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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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