Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL LIMPING INTO THE HOME STRETCH EDITION
March 23, 2012
Bills, We Got Bills
Yesterday was the 66th day of the legislative session. Puts me in mind of the fabulous old TV show Route 66, Tod and Buz off to discover America in a ’59 Corvette. And, of course, it is 2/3s of the Number of the Beast as found in Revelations, an extremely dour book of the Bible.
So it is either an invitation to escape (only 24 days left!!!) or a harbinger of disaster (extended session, special session, name calling!!!). Take your pick.
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Rep. Lindsey Holmes’ Newsletter: Come to our Constituent Pizza Party this Saturday!
March 22, 2012
For most people this time of year means the beginning glimmers of spring (although the Anchorage weather gods don’t seem to have gotten the memo). For the Legislature it means crunch time. With less than four weeks to go in the legislative session, things are really heating up in the Capitol. The House recently passed the State’s operating budget, the Senate Finance Committee is debating oil taxes, and the House Finance committee is discussing an increase to K-12 education funding as well as a bill to promote a small diameter in-state gas line. These are just a few of the hot issues heading into the end of session.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Your Money, Your Voice, and my Fairbanks Visit this Weekend
March 20, 2012
The legislature is quickly winding down to the last few weeks of session, set to adjourn on April 15th. Members are eager to pass their favorite bills which are moving through committees after very little public testimony. Here are some important issues facing our legislature over the next few weeks.
Budget
The Operating Budget passed the first hurdle in the House last week and is headed to the Senate. This budget contains money for everything from teachers to police and firefighters, to road maintenance.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Highlights from the Operating Budget
March 16, 2012
Last night the house passed the operating budget for 2013. Although there were several changes I would have liked, I ultimately supported this budget because of the many positive benefits it will bring to all Alaskan families.
Budget highlights
We have expanded pre-kindergarten by adding courses at the university of Alaska to train pre-kindergarten teachers and adding funds for Best Beginnings and Alaska’s Parents as Teachers program (PAT).
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Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: $9.5 Billion and Still Missed Opportunities
March 16, 2012
Last night the Alaska State House passed a $9.5 billion operating budget, the largest operating budget in Alaska’s history. This budget pays for general day-to-day activities state agencies, the University of Alaska, education etc. Given its size, as you can imagine, it includes lots of good and important things as well some pork.
I am disappointed about missed opportunities to put our vast wealth into meaningful opportunities for Alaskans.
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