January 8, 2016 Voice Your Opinions! Letters to the editor make a difference. You can send a letter of up to 200 words (shorter letters are more likely to be accepted) to the Alaska Dispatch News by email (letters@alaskadispatch.com); or by fax or mail (call them at 257-4308). Send letters to the Anchorage Press via e-mail editor@anchoragepress.com or by mail to 540 E. Fifth Ave, Anchorage, 99501. Feel free to call us if you need factual information to help you write a letter. Contact the Governor. The Governor can be reached at 269-7450; or www.alaska.gov. Contact us. My office can be reached at: 716 W. 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501; by phone: 269-0106; visit my website at http://gara.akdemocrats.org; or email: Rep.Les.Gara@akleg.gov

Dear Neighbors;

The two Chairs of the "Anchorage Caucus" have arranged a public forum at the Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library, this Saturday (tomorrow) from Noon to 3 p.m. I'd expect most Anchorage-area legislators will attend, and I plan to come to listen to you. If you come, I'd suggest you arrive early to sign in early.

Concerned about schools? The Governor's proposed elimination of state-funded pre-k, which we had to fight to reverse when it was proposed by some legislators last year?

Are you concerned about Pork projects - which is what I'd personally call the $1.7+ billion Knik Bridge, the Susitna Dam and that expensive Legislative Office Building some legislators haven't let go of yet?

Do you have ideas on the budget and fiscal gap? Revenue ideas? Oil Tax reform in a system where all post-2002 fields are now paying a 0% Production Tax at oil prices below $50 - $70/bbl? The Corporate Tax loophole that lets most state corporations avoid paying any corporate tax? Proposals on a sales or income tax or the PFD? Anything else?

Attending is one way to share your thoughts. You can always e-mail me with your thoughts, though if you're able to make this meeting you'll likely get 10 - 15 Anchorage-Area Democrats and Republicans besides myself to hear what's most important to you.

I hope the New Year is treating you well. The session starts in roughly 2 weeks, and I always go hoping for cooperation and principled compromise across party lines. I will go hoping for that again, and hoping I am not just told I have to vote for plans the majority party wants because they are in power. The latter makes government fail. The former works, and is what neighbors and friends with political differences would do. So, let's hope, though I will be prepared to do my best job under either scenario.

My Best,