Additional information: Berkowitz Gara Kerttula
Yesterday Democratic Representatives Les Gara (Anchorage), Beth Kerttula (Juneau) and Ethan Berkowitz (Anchorage) wrote Governor Murkowski to ask him to reverse his decision to increase Pioneers' Home rates for residents. The proposal raises rent for most residents between 5 percent and 15 percent, increases as high as $800 per month for some residents.
"In one year residents have lost their Longevity Bonus, seen a Senior Care Plan that specifically excludes people who live in the Pioneers' Homes from coverage," the Democratic legislators said in a recent letter to the Governor.
When the Murkowski administration first indicated it was considering rate increases, the House and Senate added $500,000 to the Pioneers' Home budget to prevent this burden to residents. Nonetheless, the administration has proposed regulations to implement the rate hikes.
"It is vital to residents on fixed incomes that the administration not raise rates at this excessive level," said Susan Miller, Chair of the Anchorage Pioneers' Home Family Council.