Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: Breaking Records, and Not The Good Kind
I’m writing to you on the second day of the fifth special session. We’re breaking records now…and not the good kind. This is the first time in Alaska’s history that there’s been five special sessions in a legislative term. Governor Walker called this special session to consider many of the proposals that didn’t pass during the last special session, including a bill seeking to withdraw money from the Permanent Fund earnings reserve to fund the state budget, bills that would implement an income tax, sales tax, and increases in the motor fuel, mining, fisheries, alcohol, and tobacco taxes, and reconsideration of parts of our oil and gas tax credit system.
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Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: The End is Near… We Passed a Budget
The end is near! The Legislature is still in special session, but we’re getting a bit closer to a resolution. I have some good news to share with you today.
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Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: What’s Happening in Juneau and a Few Community Updates
I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine! As I had hoped in my last update to you, we haven’t finished up with the session yet. I wanted to write and give you a quick update on what’s happening in Juneau and a few community updates.
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Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: It feels like déjà vu around here…
I’m writing you from Juneau again, and it feels like déjà vu – we’re here past our 90 day limit again. In many ways I’m not surprised, as we’re talking about a lot of major issues this year: restructuring the Permanent Fund, income or sales taxes, reforming our oil tax credits, making significant changes to our Medicaid program, and an overhaul of our crime laws. I hoped we could finish in 90 days, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. I am committed to staying as long as it takes to craft a real solution, because we cannot afford to kick the can down the road another year. My goal has always been to support a long term, comprehensive fiscal solution, and I spoke about that at a press conference earlier this month.
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Rep. Wool’s Newsletter: Join Me for Pad Thai and Politics on Sunday!
It’s that time of year again! I will be back home in Fairbanks this weekend and I want to see you and hear your ideas about the budget, education, and other important issues facing the Legislature. On Sunday (March 20), I will be holding my second annual Pad Thai and Politics lunch from 1 to 3 PM at Lemongrass Thai Cuisine (388 Old Chena Pump Rd) in Chena Pump Plaza. We had a great time last year, and this year should be even better! I will be providing Thai food, and I hope you will bring your ideas and concerns (and of course your appetite!).
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