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Alaska State Legislature House and Senate Democrats |
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http://www.akdemocrats.org Jordan Marshall, Press Secretary (907) 269-0133 or 321-3682 (907) 269-0132 press@akdemocrats.org |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · March 5, 2004 |
Senate Democrats Offer Over $90 Million for Education
Republicans reject no-strings offer to tap CBR
JUNEAU – Senate Democrats this morning responded to yesterday’s offer from the Senate Republicans to send emergency funds to education. Democratic legislators offered to provide votes to direct dollars from the Constitutional Budget Reserve. Senator Gretchen Guess (D-Anchorage) offered an amendment to Senate Bill 35 that would direct over $90 million for K-12 and university education. “We are willing to fund education today,” said Senator Guess. “This amendment takes the politics out of the debate and puts the needed resources in the classrooms.” “Education has always been a bedrock Democratic priority,” said Senator Georgianna Lincoln (D-Rampart). “We are pleased the Majority has come to the understanding we need to face the funding crisis in Alaska’s schools.” Democrats offered the amendment to SB35 because, unamended, the bill would not fund education directly and it would give a blank check for government spending.
"We cannot hand over the blank check that is SB35," said Senator Hollis French (D-Anchorage). "But we will send critical support to Alaska’s classroom."
The Senate Majority rejected the amendment on party lines.
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