Democrats Offer Mid-Session Evaluation
Ellis, Berkowitz review priorities on Day 59

JUNEAU - Senate Minority Leader Johnny Ellis and House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz evaluated the mid-session performance of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday. The pair, both Anchorage Democrats, looked at the priorities of legislative Democrats and here's what they found:

Mpeg4 Video Clip 3MB

-- Democrats want a gas pipeline agreement that guarantees competition, gas for in-state use and good jobs. VIDEO: Berkowitz ticked off what Democrats want to see in a gasline deal. http://akdemocrats.org/Video/030905_berk_gas_line.mp4 ACTUALITY: "The democratic position on gas, is we need access in, which means people who want to put gas into the pipeline have the right to get it there," he said "We want access out, which means we want Alaskans to have access to the gas. We to have a firm start date, and we want to have Alaska hire." http://akdemocrats.org/Audio/030905_berk_gas_line.mp3

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-- Democrats are keeping their commitment to give all Alaska students the opportunity to fashion secure and productive futures. VIDEO: Senator Ellis describes how core democrat values match the efforts of the Caucus. http://akdemocrats.org/Video/030905_ellis_education_funding.mp4 "It's not just about more money for more money's sake," Ellis said, "it's about a decent future for these kids coming along." http://akdemocrats.org/Audio/030905_ellis_education_funding.mp3

-- Democrats continue working for stable and predictable state budgets.

"We're in a position where we need to build a kind of stability for Alaska's future," Berkowitz said, "and we do that best by having a balanced budget for the state."

http://akdemocrats.org/Audio/030905_berk_balanced_budget.mp3

-- Democrats are working to assure honest, trustworthy conduct by state officials and fair treatment of citizens.

"It's been a Democratic priority to bring these issues to the forefront whenever the situation required it," Ellis said, "to emphasize honesty and dependability, doing your job, keeping your word as a public official, whether the executive branch or the legislative branch."

http://akdemocrats.org/Audio/030905_ellis_keeping_your_word.mp3

-- Democrats want to keep promises made to working families about health care.

"It's not some abstract concept with dollars and formulas," Berkowitz said. "These are people, people who get diseases, people who need treatment. We need to make sure that they have access to the best."

http://akdemocrats.org/Audio/030905_berk_these_are_people.mp3

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