Note from Rep. Gara: Education and Job Training Suffer; Hand to Those with Disabilities Becomes Colder: Budget Cuts in Wrong Places

Dear Neighbors,

Well, we’re on an uncomfortable downwards slide as the legislature builds a budget in the shadow of the Governor’s $1 - $2 billion oil giveaway.

As you heard, there are, in my mind, much more effective, less damaging ways to amend our oil tax rules. See my recent op-ed.

Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Important Chance to Make Your Voice Heard on Alaskan Jobs; Increasing Vo/Tech Opportunities

Important Hearing on Alaskan Oil Jobs

This week the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee will be holding important public hearings about Alaskan hire in Alaska’s oil and gas industry. Oil and gas is a major component of our economy, and the good news is North Slope jobs are at near record highs and we are seeing increased development in the North Slope and Cook Inlet, especially by smaller independent producers. In fact, Petroleum News anticipates that this current drilling season will be “one of the busiest exploration seasons since 1969.”