Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last night, we adjourned the regular session after 98 days. We left with an unfunded budget after weeks of negotiations. As a member of the Alaska Independent and Democratic Coalition my vote not to open the Constitutional Budget Reserve yesterday, was cast to protect Alaskans. The budget before us hurts children and it doesn’t have to. We can make smart cuts to stalled mega projects and outlandish oil tax credits while still keeping our promises to our children and state employees.

This is not the end. The governor has called the Legislature back into session to address Medicaid Expansion, Erin’s Law and to pass a fully funded budget. I support Governor Walker’s decision to call a special session. It’s the constitutional duty of the Legislature to pass a budget. If others want to shirk their responsibility by cutting and running- go ahead- I will still be here until we do the right thing.

Governor Walker Proclamation for Special Session: Medicaid Expansion, Budget, Erin’s Law

Immediately following the Legislature’s adjournment, Governor Walker issued a proclamation calling the Legislature into the first special session. His proclamation ordered the Legislature to consider Medicaid Expansion, Erin’s Law and the FY 2016 Operating, Mental Health and Capital Budgets.

I have received hundreds of e-mails supporting Medicaid Expansion from across Alaska. It is very clear that the majority of Alaskans support expansion, as do I. Not only is it the right thing to do for the 40,000 Alaskan’s who would finally have access to medical care, but in a time of dwindling revenues I could not vote against something that would save the state millions of dollars. Dollars that we could then put into the essential services Alaskan’s expect.

Along with Medicaid is the call to pass a funded budget. Today, the majorities gaveled out with a budget that runs out of money towards winter. It does not restore money to the Base Student Allocation, it does not reverse the cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway and it does not allow Alaska to receive millions of dollars from the Federal Government to pay for working Alaskan’s to have access to health care. That is not responsible nor necessary. Negotiations are ongoing and I know that my colleagues will eventually understand that we cannot cut our way out of this budget shortfall. We will have to make thoughtful cuts that avoid unnecessary damage and I know we can do that.

Education Rally on the Steps of the Capitol in support of reversing the budget cuts

Interior Energy Project Passes Legislature

Despite the drama, a good thing did happen last night. The Legislature passed House Bill 105 “AIDEA: Bonds;Programs;Loans;LNG Project”  which will allow for AIDEA to look for alternative sources of gas for the gas trucking project. North Slope gas will remain an options; however, Cook Inlet gas reserves are looking more and more pleasing to the project.

There is hope that Cook Inlet gas will get the price of gas at the burner tip down to a reasonable amount. When I get home, I look forward to meeting with Interior residents to talk more about natural gas coming to our area.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.