Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: 4th Special Session Adjourns, Time for a 5th
June 23, 2016
On Saturday, June 18, the Alaska House of Representatives adjourned the 4th Special Session of the 29th Legislature, and the Senate did the same the following day. I am deeply disappointed majority leadership failed to progress towards a balanced, fair and comprehensive fiscal plan to address the $3-billion state budget deficit.
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Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: The End of Special Session
June 23, 2016
They say when one door closes, another door opens. Apparently the same holds true for special sessions in Alaska because as soon as the Legislature adjourned the Governor called us back to Juneau for the 5th special session of the 29th Legislature. You can read Governor Walker’s proclamation here. (Note that, one new addition to the “call”—the bills before us—is a sales tax. I’m not sure this is an especially good sign, but am willing to review the idea).
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NEWS: Alaska House Ends Special Session Without a Fiscal Plan to Protect the Alaska Economy
June 18, 2016
Juneau – Tonight, the Alaska House of Representatives closed out the Fourth Special Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature without making any substantial progress towards creating a balanced and sustainable plan to address the ongoing fiscal crisis in Alaska. The House failed to pass any of the revenue measures they were called into Special Session to consider by Alaska Governor Bill Walker. The 13 members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) remain committed to working on a comprehensive fiscal plan that will protect the Alaska economy and the essential functions of state government.
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NEWS: Public Comments Sought on Recommendations to Implement Erin’s Law and Bree’s Law in Alaska
June 17, 2016
Juneau – The task force created after passage of Erin’s Law and Bree’s Law last year has released recommendations for implementing child sexual abuse and teen dating violence awareness measures in Alaska’s public schools. Such measures were mandated through passage of Erin’s Law and Bree’s Law last year as part of the Alaska Safe Children’s Act. Erin’s Law was championed in Alaska by Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) who worked with Erin’s Law namesake Erin Merryn for two years to make Alaska the 29th state in the nation to mandate child sexual abuse awareness and prevention in public schools. Erin Merryn is working to get Erin’s Law passed in all 50 states.
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NEWS: Alaska Legislature Should Quickly Act to Continue Insurance for Families of Police and Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty
June 15, 2016
Juneau – Common sense legislation to honor Alaska’s first responders and their families is stuck in committee in both the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska Senate. House Bill 4002 and Senate Bill 4002 would allow the State of Alaska to continue insurance coverage for spouses and dependents of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
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