Note from Rep. Gara: Wrong To Vote For Time Off & Wrong To Treat Oil Companies Better Than Kids and Seniors
May 1, 2015
Last week this session should have been over. Instead it continued past its 90-day deadline. Then, during the 30-day Special Session the Governor called to finish the budget, pass Medicaid Expansion and Reform and pass legislation supporting children, the GOP asked for time off. I have no problem supporting a Republican Governor who is doing the right thing, and it’s odd that the division here is between the Governor and legislative leaders in his own party.
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NEWS: Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Members Oppose Legislative Break While Vital Legislation Hangs in Limbo
April 30, 2015
JUNEAU – Today, the Majority organizations in the House and Senate voted to give themselves a vacation by passing House Concurrent Resolution 101. It allows both bodies to recess until May 12. HCR 101 was passed along caucus lines. All thirteen members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition and the five members of the Alaska Senate Democrats opposed the resolution.
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NEWS: The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Pledges Continued Work and Negotiations in Juneau for Fully Funded Budget
April 29, 2015
JUNEAU – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition concurs with Governor Bill Walker in his call for lawmakers to continue working towards a fully funded budget before taking a break from the special session in Juneau. On Monday, without support from the 13 members of the Coalition, the House and Senate Majorities approved a FY 2016 budget that includes a five percent cut to public education and spending over $3 billion more than available revenue. This flawed budget could result in the elimination of vital state services as soon as August.
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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: start of the special session
April 28, 2015
Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned, which should have been cause for relief (or celebration), but wasn’t. Here’s why: the Legislature passed a budget that is not fully funded – which means the state would run out of money before the next session. Despite days of negotiating, we were unable to reach an agreement on a budget that works for all Alaskans. As a result, Governor Walker called us back into a special session, starting today, Tuesday, April 28 at 10 am.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Special Session
April 28, 2015
Last night, we adjourned the regular session after 98 days. We left with an unfunded budget after weeks of negotiations. As a member of the Alaska Independent and Democratic Coalition my vote not to open the Constitutional Budget Reserve yesterday, was cast to protect Alaskans. The budget before us hurts children and it doesn’t have to. We can make smart cuts to stalled mega projects and outlandish oil tax credits while still keeping our promises to our children and state employees.
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