Rep. Drummond’s Newsletter: Special Session Update
June 3, 2016
After negotiating over the Memorial Day weekend, the Legislature passed a $4.6 billion operating budget. This is a reduction of $500 million from last year. We also passed one of the smallest capital budgets in state history. Nearly $3.2 billion comes from the Constitutional Budget Reserve, the state’s savings account. The session now can be laser-focused on a fiscal plan, before our savings are depleted.
Read More →
Rep. Spohnholz’s Newsletter: Special Session Update
June 3, 2016
On Tuesday, the legislature passed a compromise budget package funded by the Constitutional Budget Reserve as is needed. This budget compromise is far from perfect, as are many compromises, but it allows us to keep Alaska open for business so that the fishing, tourism and business communities can continue to operate during the summer. The budget compromise ensures that we don’t face a crippling government shut down which would further damage the State of Alaska’s credit rating and hurt the thousands of Alaskan state employees and those who count on their essential efforts. In this special session update, I will describe these budgets generally as well as what is next in the special session.
Read More →
NEWS: No Progress and No Communication on Linchpin to a Comprehensive Fiscal Plan
June 3, 2016
Juneau – The members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) have consistently insisted that any plan to address Alaska’s ongoing fiscal crisis be comprehensive in nature and include reform to our flawed oil and gas subsidy system that is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars. House Bill 247 remains the linchpin to a successful fiscal plan, yet the Conference Committee has not met during the 4th Special Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature. House Resources Committee member Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) represents the AIDC on the Conference Committee and is the only member of the conference committee that originally voted yes on the compromise House bill that passed with bipartisan support.
Read More →
Rep. Spohnholz’s Newsletter: The Special Session
May 27, 2016
Last week on Wednesday, the legislature adjourned without passing a responsible fiscal plan for Alaska. As the newest member of the Alaska State Legislature, I was extremely disappointed that we were not able to balance the budget even after the session was extended. There is no more important responsibility of the Legislature than to make sure that we honor our responsibility to the people of Alaska by passing a responsible budget. However, we have another chance to get the job done.
Read More →
Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Governor Walker Calls Special Session
May 20, 2016
At midnight on Wednesday, the legislature adjourned without passing a responsible action plan for Alaska and Governor Walker immediately called a special session. The Governor called the special session to address a comprehensive fiscal plan and a limited number of other matters important for Alaska.
Read More →
Page 3 of 33«12345...102030...»Last »
