Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Military Closures, What’s Movin, and Energy
February 8, 2012
The Alaska State Legislature is in full motion, and I have been hard at work standing up for issues that are important to Fairbanks and the Interior. It is not always an easy battle, but with the help and cooperation of the Interior Delegation, I am encouraged by the dialogue with the rest of the Legislature.
While we have been busy in Juneau advocating for Interior issues, we know Fairbanks is facing some tough news. Last week we received word of the Department of Defense’s plans to relocate the Eielson Air Force squadron to Anchorage and retire four C-130 transport aircraft at Elmendorf.
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Rep. Bob Miller’s Newsletter: Cook Inlet Gas; Parents and Teachers; Other Legislation;
February 8, 2012
Hello from Juneau! The 2012 Legislative Session is in full swing, and here is a brief rundown of some of the work I have been doing for you.
Last week, I introduced HB 308, a bill which will restart the process of developing a gas line from Cook Inlet to Fairbanks and the Interior. While we work to create a gas distribution system throughout Fairbanks, this would be the cheapest and quickest way to get us the gas and energy savings we need.
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Newsletter from Rep. Holmes: Fairness for Local Property Tax Payers; Internship Opportunity!
February 6, 2012
You have probably heard about the recent controversy surrounding property tax exemptions for teachers and employees of religious organizations. Representative Berta Gardner and I feel this situation is unfair to other taxpayers, and have introduced House Bill 305, the Property Tax Fairness Act, to fix it.
In 2006, the Legislature significantly broadened the definition of religious property by including exemptions for the residence of “an educator in a private religious or parochial school.” This legislation also expanded the definition of “minister” and broadened the ordination standard for ministers. It also made these tax exemptions mandatory for all Alaska municipalities.
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Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: Coastal Management Hearing Scheduled
February 3, 2012
I’m excited to announce a hearing on the coastal management initiative. Read below for more information.
I’m also including links to a couple of guides for you - one for citizen participation in government and another of frequently called numbers.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email.
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Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE $10 BILLION EDITION
February 3, 2012
I have started to try to get support for my bill to put $10 billion into the Alaska Permanent Fund. The bill is in the Powerful House Finance Committee, of which I am an insignificant member. I haven’t asked for a hearing yet; I want all the members of the House to have a chance to think about it first.
The bill has about the same chance to pass as a snowflake in Hades. There are many bills that offer us the chance to spend, spend, spend. Since spending is much more popular than saving – particularly in an election year – you can write your own script for poor House Bill 194. It won’t have a happy ending. But I’ll give you my pitch anyway.
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