February 27, 2015 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: 733 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:

Saturday is the annual "Anchorage Caucus."  A terrible name (who besides politicians uses the word "caucus?!"  Anyway, it's a listening session by Anchorage area legislators from 1 'til 3 (and until 5 if there's more public testimony) at the Anchorage Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library.

Then next week we'll have hearings on an operating budget that, in its current form, combines needed cuts to waste with slashes that harm seniors and children instead of those who can afford the burden of unnecessary corporate subsidies and harm.  One current proposal cuts all state-funded voluntary pre-Kindergarten, which studies show improves academic achievement, improves graduation rates, and increases earning power while reducing incarceration rates.  The foster care system is left Band- Aided, so youth taken from their parents will have as many or more roadblocks to success.  There's a cut to senior care for families who cannot take care of their parents, without quitting work, during the day.  There are cuts to domestic violence shelters and the food bank.

Starting today we'll try reversing some of these, and push for savings that make more sense.

Budget Hearings: You can testify on the budget on these days and times, depending on where you live. Testimony is limited to 2 minutes and will also be accepted by email at lhscfin@akleg.gov.

Here is that schedule:

Tuesday:
1:00-3:30PM Juneau
3:30-5:30PM Homer, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Mat-su, Seward

Wednesday:
1:00-4:00PM Fairbanks, Barrow, Dillingham
4:00-5:30PM Bethel, Cordova, Kotzebue, Nome, Valdez, Wrangell and “Off Net” Sites. If you are calling from a community without a legislative information office, please only call during the designated “Off Net” time period. Call 465-4648 by 5:00PM on Monday to obtain the call-in phone number.

Thursday:
1:00-4:30PM Anchorage
4:30-6:00PM Sitka, Petersburg, Delta Junction, Unalaska, Glennallen, Tok

Steve Nerland, John Rodda and Marion Davis.  Privileged to work with these folks from East High for the start of a stadium and track (all other schools have funding, and East is the largest high school in Anchorage, and the most ethnically diverse in America).

And, to help, I'm linking my last 2 e-newsletters, and my op-ed on Medicaid Expansion so you have information you might use in making your presentations.

I'll only be in Anchorage Saturday, and have to fly back for work Sunday morning.  Hope to see or hear from you in the next few days.

As always, let me, or my aides Joe and Molly know if we can help, or if you have any questions.

My Best,