Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Health and the Environment
April 22, 2014
House Bill 215, by Rep. Tarr, supports Alaskans’ right to know what’s in their food by requiring labeling on products consisting of or made with genetically modified ingredients. 76% of corn crops and 93% of soybean crops grown in the U.S. have been genetically modified. These crops are main ingredients in the vast majority of processed food products distributed in the United States. As individuals, everyone should have the right to choose whether or not they consume these products. However, in order to make such a decision, they must have the information necessary to make the choice. Labeling ensures that Alaskans maintain the right to know what is in their food.
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Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: A WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
April 16, 2014
The past week has likely been the most interesting I have experienced during my time serving in the Alaska Legislature. In my last newsletter I wrote about a bill that did too much bad and not enough good for public education. Voting against the bill was extremely challenging. House Bill 278 included a slight increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA), but it was far from fully funding public education and included too many ill-advised changes, like allowing public dollars to go to private schools and creating an unfair teacher tenure system. Taken together, the bad outweighed the good, which led to my “No” vote.
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NEWS: House Passes Extended Buffer between Schools and Alcohol Sales
April 14, 2014
Today, the Alaska state House of Representatives voted to extend the buffer zone between schools and establishments that sell alcohol. Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) introduced the legislation (HB336) in order to address student and community concerns about alcohol sales nears schools.
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Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Too Little, Too Late
April 11, 2014
Working late into the night Monday, the House had its long awaited debate on the education bill, House Bill 278. In January, the Governor introduced an omnibus education bill and deemed this session the “education session.” At the time, I did not believe the bill did enough for our public education system. After Monday night, I continue to believe we have not done enough for our children, teachers, and schools.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Thumbs Down and Thumbs Up: Education Cuts; Free Dental Clinic Fri & Sat
April 9, 2014
I remembered my promise to you: a short synopsis for those who have lives to lead; and a longer explanation for those of you who want details and not snippets. Here goes on an education bill that leads to three more years of teacher and classroom cuts, and, on a brighter note, this Friday and Saturday’s FREE dental clinic dentists have organized to help our neighbors in need. Spread the word – on one or both of these issues!
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