NEWS: Rep. Tarr to Celebrate Signing of Legislation to Implement Erin’s Law in Alaska
July 9, 2015
ANCHORAGE – Later today, Alaska Governor Bill Walker will sign the Alaska Safe Children’s Act during a ceremony as part of the 2015 Alaska Flag Day Celebration in Anchorage. HB 44 includes Erin’s Law, which requires school districts across the state to teach children how to recognize and report sexual abuse. Erin’s Law was championed in Alaska by Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) who helped guide the law through multiple legislative sessions all the way to final passage on July 11, 2015.
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NEWS: Rep. Kawasaki Celebrates Fairbanks Parks
July 6, 2015
Since 2014, Rep. Kawasaki has hosted a series of picnics across the city to celebrate the more than 60 free public parks maintained by the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
“We are privileged to live in such a beautiful and scenic place,” said Rep. Kawasaki. “Join me at your local neighborhood park. Bring the family, enjoy a barbecue and share ideas and concerns on how to make Fairbanks a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
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NEWS: Rep. Guttenberg Hires a New Staff Member
July 1, 2015
FAIRBANKS - Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) is pleased to announce and welcome, Kaitlin Wilson, as a new addition to his staff. Wilson, a second generation Alaskan, was born and raised in Fairbanks. At a young age she was attracted to photography, and after traveling extensively throughout Latin America with her camera, she decided to pursue her passion and study the art at a formal institution. In 2009 she enrolled in the media arts program at Columbia College in Chicago. After one year of living in the city, she found herself being drawn back to the natural beauty of Alaska, where she returned home to earn a bachelor’s of art in journalism, with an emphasis in photojournalism from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2013.
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NEWS: Rep. Tarr Applauds Introduction of Federal Legislation to Help Protect Children from Sexual Abuse
June 29, 2015
ANCHORAGE – Earlier this month Alaska became the 26th state to pass legislation to implement Erin’s Law to give students personal body safety information to protect themselves from sexual abuse. Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) was instrumental in passage of Erin’s Law in Alaska and she wholeheartedly supports the Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act, which was introduced Thursday in the U.S. Senate by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The legislation will fund school programs to implement Erin’s Law.
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NEWS: Medicaid Expansion Can Help Avoid the Risk of a Recession in Alaska
June 25, 2015
ANCHORAGE – A recent report commissioned by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority suggests Alaska is at risk of a recession for the fourth time in the state’s history. The report indicates a recession could be prolonged due, in part, to the downturn in oil prices and subsequent decreases in state spending. However, the report outlines options to mitigate a recession including accepting Medicaid expansion, which will be paid for almost entirely by the federal government. House Finance Committee member Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) tried repeatedly this past session to garner legislative approval for Medicaid expansion but the Republican-controlled Majorities refused to allow the issue to be put to a vote.
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