Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Governor’s Fiscal Plan
December 14, 2015
Last week, Governor Walker released his long-awaited plan to fix the state’s budget deficit. It is a good start. The Governor also released a preliminary budget proposal for next year. Named the “New Sustainable Alaska Plan” or “NSAP,” the goal is to close Alaska’s multibillion dollar deficit by 2018. What do you think of the Governor’s plan?
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Note from Rep. Gara: Massive School Cuts; Massive Oil Company Gifts?
April 6, 2015
Last week the Senate passed additional major cuts to public school teachers, job counselors and education staff. Last year I and others tried to amend a three-year “education” plan that required educator cuts in many districts, and that was made worse last month when the Republican-led House Majority passed a budget deleting $32 million in promised education funds. Things got worse Friday when the Republican-led Senate hit schools with yet an additional $47 million in cuts. I believe in smart budget cuts, but not cuts with a bludgeon, or cuts that harm educational opportunity for the next generation.
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VIDEO: Rep. Gara & Sen. Wielechowski Press Conference about emergency legislation to help address Alaska’s fiscal crisis.
April 1, 2015
March 31, 2015 Juneau - Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, hold a press conference about emergency legislation to help address Alaska’s fiscal crisis.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Less than three weeks left of session!
March 31, 2015
Thank you to everyone who attended my Birthday Fundraiser at HooDoo Brewing Company and legislative update at Raven Landing. It was great to reconnect with many Fairbanks friends and contribute to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska.
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NEWS: Fiscal Crisis Prompts Common Sense Solution
March 31, 2015
JUNEAU— In the next fiscal year, the State of Alaska will be required to pay out $700 million in oil company tax credits while the state is projected to only take in $300 million in production taxes. That will result in a net loss of $400 million to the public. Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) and Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) have sponsored legislation to protect Alaska in times of depressed oil prices by adjusting the current production tax floor from 4% to 12.5%.
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