Rep. Kerttula’s Newsletter: The Affordable Care Act

As the implementation of the Affordable Care Act approaches on October 1, I have heard more and more questions about what will happen. I had just started working on an e-news to address the issue, when I received the following e-news from my good friend Senator Berta Gardner in Anchorage. I’m sharing her e-news with you because it is the best explanation of the Affordable Care Act I have seen.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write or email me.

Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Air Quality News and Election Reminder

I’m sure a lot of you have seen or heard about the new state air pollution regulations released last week by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. You may be wondering what it means for you and what it means for Fairbanks. I read over the regulations and want to share some information with you.

Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Community Empowerment: Northern Access, UAA, and Pebble

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Tomorrow night’s Assembly meeting will include an opportunity for public testimony on the state grant funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Municipality of Anchorage in the capital budget. These funds include the $20 million dedicated to the Northern Access Road project. The Municipality must pass Resolution No. AR 2013-244, which appropriates State of Alaska grants to various municipal funds and departments.

Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Don’t let myths get in the way of schools’ progress

I recently published a column in the Anchorage Daily News that presents, and repudiates, several commonly held misconceptions about public education in Alaska. These public education myths are often used to attack our public school system. I am enthusiastic about having a community conversation about improving education outcomes, efficiency in delivery of education, and how to best prepare our youth to be the talented workers of the future.

Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: Community Councils - Back in Action

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

After a summer off (although, some of our community councils met all summer!) community councils are back in action this fall. Community councils are a great way to get involved, and stay informed on the happenings in your neighborhood.

NEWS: Gov’t Regs Not the Place for Women’s Health Decisions

Democratic legislators stand up against bureaucratic intrusion into women’s health decisions

ANCHORAGE – Today, House democratic legislators Beth Kerttula, Harriet Drummond and Geran Tarr spoke out against the governor’s bureaucratic intrusion into Alaska women’s personal health decisions. The Parnell administration recently announced it was bypassing the legislative process and applying language designed to restrict access to abortions through regulations.

Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Fall Community Councils

It’s that time of year: Neighborhood community councils have started meeting again!

After a short summer hiatus, most neighborhood community councils start meeting again in September. Community Councils are open to all residents or property owners, and are a great way to get to know your neighbors, stay active in the development of your community, and find out about events and projects that directly impact your lives.

Rep. Josephson’s Newsletter: North to Alaska: Ventures in the Interior

I have been fortunate all summer to attend many community events, meeting with friends, new and old, from our midtown district as well as the greater Anchorage area. Recently, I took a trip to the Interior to attend the Chena Renewable Energy Fair as part of my duties with the House Special Committee on Energy. While I was in the north country, I had several other meetings to better educate myself on issues facing Alaskans.

Rep. Beth Kerttula’s Newsletter: The Back to School Issue

We’ve had a beautiful summer all across Alaska and especially in Southeast - I’m looking forward to an equally beautiful fall. Kids across the state are headed back to school, a sure sign that the season is changing.

Thank you for reading my newsletter. I enjoy hearing from you, so please stop by the office, call, write, or email.

Note from Rep. Gara: Ducking Responsibility: Losing 217 More Education Staff; Police Cuts; and a Volunteer Opportunity

Dear Neighbors,

Sometimes the news reports things as if they just happened out of the blue. With dwindling reporters, it’s hard for the media to connect actions by the Governor and Legislature with what happens months later. Well, let’s talk about that. And let’s talk about that feel-good, but unsustainable spike in drunk driving enforcement you may have read about, and ….opportunities and sobering facts relating to Hunger Action Month.