NEWS: Consumers Have a Right to Know the Genetically Modified Ingredients in Their Food
Anchorage – The U.S. Senate passed legislation Thursday that that would create a mandatory national system for disclosing genetically modified ingredients in food products. The bill passed by a vote of 63-30. Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) has been a vocal advocate for a strong labeling system in Alaska. She is concerned the federal legislation would limit the ability for individual states to implement stricter labeling requirements than the proposed national system.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Happy Thanksgiving!
After an ‘extra-helping’ of a special session, I’m glad to be back home in Fairbanks, where there is no shortage of things to do. Over the next few weeks,Governor Bill Walker will unveil his budget details, portions of a fiscal plan and set the tone for the next legislative session that begins in January. The Finance Committee, of which I am a member, will be focused on the fiscal gap and a fiscal solution. It won’t be easy, but it will be necessary.
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NEWS: Feds Approve “Frankenfish” Despite Widespread Opposition and Unacceptable Risks to Alaska’s Abundant Wild Salmon Resource
ANCHORAGE – Today, the Food and Drug Administration, for the first time ever, approved the human consumption of a genetically modified animal. The FDA approved AquaBounty Technologies application to raise a genetically modified fast growing Atlantic salmon despite widespread concerns about the health risks to humans and negative impacts to wild salmon populations.
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Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Juneau Update & Report From Alaska Food Security Week
The session should have adjourned on April 19th, but we have gone into overtime to make sure we have a budget that reflects the priorities of Alaskans, including education funding, Medicaid expansion, Erin’s Law, and cutting wasteful spending. This session I’ve received thousands of emails and calls of support for these priorities. When we held budget hearings thousands of Alaskans called in to support these priorities. The support has been overwhelming while the oppositional is minimal. Also, in the case of Medicaid expansion most opposing are asking for reform. I’m proud to have supported House Bill 148, that includes both expansion and reform that will result in hundreds of millions of dollars of savings.
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Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Alaska’s Fiscal Reality & Upcoming Events
Well, another week has come and gone here in Juneau. While the Senate is dealing with the Operating Budget and Senate Bill 30 (Marijuana Criminal bill) the House continues to work on its own legislation. This week I heard proposals to: raise hunting and fishing licenses for residents and non-residents; create a Marijuana Control Board; require labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), among other different issues. There is seldom a moment to spare now that session is almost over, but I want to make sure that I mention to you a couple of events that might peak your interests.
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