NEWS: Reps. Tarr, Drummond, and Spohnholz Welcome News of a Federal Grant to Process Untested Rape Kits in Alaska
Anchorage – Representatives Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), Harriet Drummond (D-Anchorage) and Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage) release the following statements in response to the announcement that the State of Alaska is receiving a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to process over 1,000 sexual assault kits collected by the Alaska State Troopers. The grant money will also fund a prosecuting attorney and investigator.
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Rep. Spohnholz’s Newsletter: Update from Juneau: Justice Reform, HB 156, Oil Subsidies & Summer Events
Nothing about my first legislative session has been “normal.” I came to Juneau to fill the seat vacated by the passing of Rep. Max Gruenberg, my first day of work was a 20 hour budget floor session, and now we are on day 116 of a 90 day session as we are working to fill in a $4B deficit. I expect that the legislature will make headlines with some historic decisions in the coming weeks, but today I want to update you on a few key issues.
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Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: What’s Happening in Juneau and a Few Community Updates
I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine! As I had hoped in my last update to you, we haven’t finished up with the session yet. I wanted to write and give you a quick update on what’s happening in Juneau and a few community updates.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Town Hall Meeting Tonight, Public Testimony Tomorrow!
Last week, after dozens of hearings, the House passed SB 91, a bill relating to criminal justice reform. I support this legislation and believe that SB 91 is smart on crime because it reduces recidivism, yet maintains that offenders are accountable for their actions.
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Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Anti-Sex Ed Measure Passes, Wednesday Testimony on Oil and Gas Subsidies & Criminal Justice Reform
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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