NEWS: Rep. Gara Opposes Legislation Ending Needs-Based College and Job Training Aid for Low Income Alaskans
March 29, 2016
Juneau — The Alaska Legislature’s legal department has confirmed that the Senate Finance Committee bill to end the Alaska Performance Scholarship program also ends the Alaska Education Grant program, which offers needs-based financial aid for college and job training. House Finance Committee member Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage) worked to help start a two year needs-based aid effort several years before the current aid plan was passed.
Read More →
Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Public Budget Testimony Opportunity, New Bills, University Under Attack
February 25, 2016
As we near the halfway mark of the session, the legislature bears down on the budget. The next couple of weeks will be a critical stage in the budget process as the House Finance Committee hears public testimony next week before heading to the House floor.
Read More →
Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: University Facing Drastic Cuts: Here’s How You Can Be Heard
February 23, 2016
I’ve heard from almost 100 of you in the past few days opposing the proposed $60 million cut to the University of Alaska. These draconian cuts would greatly affect the way the university functions. They would cause hundreds of layoffs, severely hamper our research abilities, and have a massive impact on our local economy.
Read More →
NEWS: Legislation Introduced to Limit Government Overreach and Support Students
February 22, 2016
Juneau — Today, Representative Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) introduced legislation that limits state power by repealing statutes that allow the state to not renew occupational licenses for defaulting on a student loan.
Read More →
OP-ED: Why we should be investing in early childhood education during a budget crisis
February 14, 2016
Everyone is talking about numbers this session. Alaska’s budget deficit is nearly $3.5 billion. The Republican-led majority threatens to cut an additional $1 billion from state government spending. Over $3 million is slated to be cut from early childhood education, which would decimate effective programs like Parents as Teachers, the Imagination Library, and pre-k in Alaska.
Read More →
