Note from Rep. Gara: Fool Me Once: A Fact Check on Those Slick Oil Ads
May 21, 2014
I’d like a world where people tell the truth during elections. But wishing doesn’t work in this new world where outside corporations and groups are allowed unlimited election $pending. With that money these special interests constantly violate the old adage that you’re entitled to your own opinions, but that you’re not entitled to your own facts.
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Rep. Sam Kito’s Newsletter: Bills on the Move
April 3, 2014
This week, the education debate has heated up with House Finance releasing a Committee Substitute and considering amendments to the omnibus Education bill (HB 278). The bill that finally came out of the committee included some troubling changes from the Education Committee version. I am especially concerned about the changes to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), which could cause the insolvency or exhaustion of the trust fund in ten years. This would result in a pay-as-you-go plan that would make active teachers pay for retired teachers and significantly increase the required contribution by active teachers.
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NEWS: In-State Gas: Gasline Proposal Needs More Assurances about Affordable Local Gas
March 31, 2014
JUNEAU – House Democratic legislators are working with the House Resources Committee to make sure the Legislature does what it can to assure Alaskans get access to affordable gas for in-state use from the governor’s proposed liquefied natural gas project.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: LNG, GMOs and Flint Hills
March 21, 2014
On Tuesday evening, the Senate voted 15-5 to advance SB138, the Governor’s Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) proposal. The House will now have a mere 30 days to analyze the details of SB138, weigh the pros and cons, hear from the public, offer amendments and consider the impact to the state. This hurried pace once again has me concerned with the lack of due diligence that has become far too common this legislative session.
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Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins’ Newsletter: The Curious Case of Senate Joint Resolution 9
March 18, 2014
In politics, education is an issue all its own. It’s not Democrats vs. Republicans, dogs vs. cats, Sharks vs. Jets, pro-life vs. pro-choice, pro-”More Alaska Production Act” vs. anti-”Oil Tax Giveaway.”
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