Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: Southeast Spotlight: Public testimony and the operating budget
February 26, 2016
Dear Neighbors,
Friday marks the 39th day of Session, which means we’re closing in on the halfway point. Read on for updates on upcoming public testimony opportunities, the latest budget developments, and several exciting programs/deadlines in my Heads Up section.
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NEWS: New Analysis Shows Current Oil Tax System Vastly Shortchanges Alaskans
February 18, 2016
Juneau – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) released an analysis of Alaska’s current oil tax system by the Alaska Department of Revenue’s Tax Division. The analysis shows that Alaskans are being vastly shortchanged by the current oil tax system.
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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: HCR 23 and the 24 Hour Rule
February 12, 2016
Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you well. I have a couple quick updates for you on happenings in the legislature over the last week. As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
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NEWS: Reps. Gruenberg and Claman Praise Today’s Bold and Inspirational State of the Judiciary Address
February 10, 2016
Juneau – Today, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Craig Stowers gave the annual State of the Judiciary Address to the members of the Alaska House and Senate. In his speech, Chief Justice Stowers outlined, in great detail, how the Alaska Court system is working to streamline services and save money as Alaska is facing huge fiscal challenges. He also called on the members of the House and Senate to work together and make the hard decisions that are needed to allow Alaska to weather the current fiscal storm. Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage), a member of the House Finance Committee’s Courts Budget Subcommittee, praised Justice Stowers’ speech as an example for lawmakers to emulate as they consider how to address the nearly $4 billion budget deficit.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Minority Proposes “Caucus of the Whole”
February 9, 2016
Yesterday the democratic coalition rolled out a compromise message to the legislature. The minority leaders from both the house and the senate proposed a “caucus of the whole”—a unified legislature—one which works together and removes partisanship in the legislature to aid in moving forward in finding a solution to the budget deficit. This proposition was set forth with the spirit of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution in mind, when people from all sides were able to come together and do what was best for our newly emerging state.
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