Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: 120 Day Session Adjourns, Oil and Gas Update
May 20, 2016
The 29th Alaska State Legislature adjourned Wednesday night with many of the state’s most pressing issues still unresolved. Despite coming close to agreement on the state operating budget, the one thing the Legislature is constitutionally required to pass, the Legislature is still deadlocked on oil tax subsidies and education funding. In fact, the Republican-led Senate Majority gaveled out before the House could vote on an agreement to extend the session just before midnight. While it’s clear we are much closer to reaching an agreement, we still have miles to go.
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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. Tarr’s Newsletter: End of Session & Update on the Budget
April 17, 2016
A lot has happened over the last 7 days! While I wish I was writing you to say that we’ve completed our 90-day Session and will be heading home tomorrow, that is sadly not this case. As 5:00 p.m. rolls around there’s still a long list of bills to hear and vote for on the Floor, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be packing up and heading north tomorrow. Fortunately, several great things have happened during the unfinished Session:
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VIDEO: AIDC Press Availability April 13, 2016
April 13, 2016
Juneau – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) held a press availability April 13th at 10:00 a.m. Participants include AIDC Leader Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage), House Finance Committee member Rep. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), and House Resources Committee member Rep. Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage).
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NEWS: Massive Scope of Proposed Fiscal Changes Demands Thorough Review of Impacts on Alaskans of All Income Levels
December 9, 2015
ANCHORAGE – Today, Alaska Governor Bill Walker unveiled an ambitious budget plan called “The New Sustainable Alaska Plan” that shifts much of the burden of paying for state government from the oil and gas industry onto the backs of hard-working, average Alaskans. The Governor’s proposal includes fundamental changes to how vital state services in Alaska are funded including new or increased taxes on income, fishing, mining, tourism, alcohol, tobacco, and motor fuel. The Governor’s proposal also makes drastic cuts to vital early education opportunities in Alaska and would result in significantly reduced Permanent Fund Dividends. The 13 members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition thank Governor Walker for his leadership and the public process used to come up with the proposed budget plan but will insist that every proposed change be thoroughly vetted by the Alaska Legislature.
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