News: Foster Youth Jail, Homeless, Education Numbers: A Call for Attention
December 10, 2014
Anchorage – Today, two former foster youth, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and foster care advocate Amanda Metivier, released sobering numbers for the growing number of Alaska youth in foster care. They are also calling for attention to the over 2,400 foster youth for which the state is the legal guardian.
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News: Rep. Gara’s Public Comments Detail Potentially Excessive Tax Breaks for a Company Seeking “Royalty Relief”
December 9, 2014
Anchorage - On Monday, Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage) filed detailed public comments showing the Nuna oilfield will receive significant, and possibly excessive, tax breaks under little-known provisions in S.B. 21. The Parnell Administration, in its waning two weeks, proposed a roughly $40 million reduction in the royalties Nuna’s current owner, Caelus Energy, would owe Alaskans. The Parnell Administration proposed to change the field’s existing lease terms to include additional revenue reductions at a time Alaska is facing a $3 billion budget deficit.
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NEWS: Gara: Filing Bill To End Attack Ads in State’s Non-Partisan Voter Pamphlet - Seeks Bi-Partisan Support
November 25, 2014
Rep. Gara to Pre-file Legislation to Stop Political Attacks in Publicly Funded Alaska Election Pamphlet After Attack Ad Appears in 2014 Guide
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NEWS: Near Zero Value Nuna Oilfield Deal Challenged by Rep. Gara
November 20, 2014
Anchorage – Thursday, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) asked the Parnell Administration to hold off on a controversial proposal for tens of millions of dollars in additional tax reductions on a North Slope oilfield. Last week Governor Parnell’s Commissioner of Natural Resources announced his proposal to reduce the 12.5% royalty on the Nuna oilfield by over 50%.
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NEWS: Independent State Representative Dan Ortiz Joins the House Democratic Caucus
November 19, 2014
Anchorage- Newly elected District 36 State Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) was welcomed Wednesday as the newest member of the House Democratic Caucus. Ortiz ran as an independent candidate without party affiliation but he chose to join the House Democratic Caucus in part because of the freedom the caucus gives its members to vote their conscience.
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