Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Special Session, Bennett Road and Fire Safety
May 20, 2015
Despite the governor’s call for the special session to take place in Juneau, the Speaker of the House has called House members to Anchorage on Thursday for a full floor session. It is unclear what this action means in terms of the special session coming to a close, or even the legality of the actions taken in Anchorage.
Read More →
NEWS: Legislation to Protect Children from Sexual Predators Hijacked by Senate Education Committee
May 20, 2015
ANCHORAGE – Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee passed a new version of a bill that includes Erin’s Law, which is a proven tool to prevent child sexual abuse. House Bill 44 also included language calling on public schools to teach students about how to prevent dating violence. The new version of the bill was amended by the Senate Education Committee, at the behest of Senator Mike Dunleavy (R-Wasilla), to bar organizations like Planned Parenthood from teaching students about sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases. It also requires school districts to get parental permission before students can take classes about human reproduction or sexual matters. The new version of House Bill 44 also eliminates requirements for schools to offer college readiness tests.
Read More →
NEWS: Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Ready to Work to Solve Budget Impasse
May 18, 2015
ANCHORAGE – Today, Governor Walker announced his intention to veto the portions of House Bill 72 that deal with fiscal year 2016. This is due to the fact that the House and Senate Majorities passed a largely unfunded budget, which could result in a shutdown of state government beginning in July.
Read More →
Rep. Tuck’s Newsletter: Medicaid Update and Weekend Rallies
May 15, 2015
Thank you for staying in touch with me to show your support for Governor Walker’s plan to expand Medicaid in Alaska.
As you are likely aware, a powerful Co-Chair of the House Finance Committee recently announced that Republicans on the committee will be blocking the expansion until at least next year, and swiftly cancelled the hearing with no debate.
Read More →
NEWS: Smaller Permanent Fund Dividend If Budget Spends From Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve
May 14, 2015
ANCHORAGE - Today Rep. Les Gara released a report from the Legislature’s non-partisan Legal Research Division. It shows that if Legislators were to spend from the Permanent Fund’s Earnings Reserve, that would reduce Permanent Fund Dividend payments received by Alaskans. Some legislators have mentioned this as an option to paying for this coming year’s budget, which is a subject of the current Special Session.
Read More →
