Note from Rep. Gara: The Unspecial Session: A Solution Requires A Radical Political Concept - Talking Without Lines In The Sand. And An Engaged Governor.
May 2, 2011
I’ve done my best these past two weeks to share what I learned as an attorney who started my career on a very contentious case – representing the State in its civil prosecution of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill case. Sticking your heels in the mud and drawing lines in the sand doesn’t end disputes – this one’s over the budget. We settled the state’s case with Exxon for $1 billion in 1991 – though the major damages were suffered by individuals who brought their own cases – and by not talking Exxon used its obstinance and power to drag that case out for two decades.
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Note from Rep. Gara: The Avoidable Special Session: Why the Governor’s Threat Against the Senate on Oil Taxes Didn’t Help Things.
April 18, 2011
Let me say this for the record. The Legislative session should have ended yesterday. I was willing to get all my work done, but in politics at the end of session the negotiations get taken over by a few of the highest ranking leaders – and roughly 50 of the 60 of us have no say other than the moral prodding we can offer those negotiators. That’s not to say who among the negotiators was at fault. But here’s what I do know, and what most of the media didn’t report.
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Rep. Kerttula’s Juneau Newsletter: End of Session - Maybe; Pieces of the End Game Puzzle
April 15, 2011
The last day of session is supposed to be Sunday April 17. However, there’s been some speculation that we won’t be able to finish in time. That all depends on whether or not the House and the Senate can come to an agreement about the capital budget and some other key items. At the end of session, a few key things need to fall into place as the final pieces of the puzzle. This year, the end game is centering around the operating and capital budgets, oil and gas taxes, coastal zone management, performance scholarships and education funding.
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Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL END OF SESSION (MAYBE) EDITION
April 15, 2011
Oil Taxes? Who Knows?
Apparently we are not going to pass an oil tax bill this session. Fine by me. Maybe the delay will allow Gov. Sean Parnell to come to his senses and realize that giving the oil industry a couple of billion dollars a year because – well, just because – isn’t good public policy.
And maybe monkeys will fly out of my nose.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Last Week of Session Brings Successes, Unfinished Business
April 13, 2011
Dear Neighbors,
With less than one week remaining in the Legislative Session, things are heated up in the Capital.
Now that the logjam created by three weeks of oil tax debate has broken, committees are ramping up in reviewing legislation, budgets are under heavy discussion, and the House is voting on four to twelve bills every day. I’m in the office at least from 7am until 10pm every day of the week, and am working hard for our best interests.
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