MARCH 27, 2015

Representing District 17:
Midtown, University, and East Anchorage

I Answer to You!

Contact my office:
State Capitol Bldg., Rm 430
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-4939
(800) 465-4939
 
Click here to write me an email
 
Click here to visit my website
 

  

Write a Letter to the Editor
submit your 175 word letter to the Alaska Dispatch News via e-mail letters@alaskadispatch.com or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor.

Contact other elected officials

Governor Bill Walker
907-269-7450
EMAIL: Gov. Bill Walker

Senator Dan Sullivan
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Dan Sullivan

Senator Lisa Murkowski
907-271-3735
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Congressman Don Young
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Legislative Update
Alaska’s Fiscal Reality & Upcoming Events

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Well, another week has come and gone here in Juneau.  While the Senate is dealing with the Operating Budget and Senate Bill 30 (Marijuana Criminal bill) the House continues to work on its own legislation.  This week I heard proposals to: raise hunting and fishing licenses for residents and non-residents; create a Marijuana Control Board; require labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), among other different issues. There is seldom a moment to spare now that session is almost over, but I want to make sure that I mention to you a couple of events that might peak your interests.

I also presented a second bill of my own:  House Bill 114 would give a death benefit to single and childless workers who die at the workplace.  Currently, they get none in most circumstances.  The hearing was very poignant, with in-person testimony offered by an Anchorage citizen who lost her daughter in an electrical accident.

Fiscal Lunch & Learn

On Thursday March 26th, Legislative Fiscal Analyst David Teal gave a presentation called “Fiscal Reality – Exploring Scenarios to Reclaim Budget Solvency” to legislators and staff about the budget and the current deficit in which we find ourselves. It was a very comprehensive and interesting presentation that covered a variety of scenarios that the legislature could look at as “tools” to help attain a sustainable budget. If you have the time I would recommend watching the presentation. You can click on the picture above and it will take you to the link.

Medicaid Expansion Public Testimony

Tomorrow, Saturday March 28th, there will be an opportunity for the public to call into the House Health and Social Services Committee to give testimony. Medicaid expansion is one of the biggest issues facing the legislature this session and it is important that the public have ample input during the process.  There will also be public testimony on March 31st, in case you can’t make it tomorrow.

What: Public Testimony on HB 148

When: March 28th @ 3pm
  March 31st @ 6pm

Where: Anchorage LIO
   716 W 4th Ave

Operating Budget Public Testimony

Public testimony on the Operating Budget will be held Tuesday March 31st, starting at 9am. If you are unable to make it to the Anchorage LIO (see the address listed above) you can submit your testimony via email. Just address your comments to finance.committee@akleg.gov. Let your voice be heard!

50th Anniversary

For those that might not know, Thursday, March 26th, Rogers Park Elementary School celebrated their 50th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, here are some interesting facts about Rogers Park Elementary:

• Bids for construction opened on July 12, 1964, three months later than was planned. This was because of the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. It was the first school to open after the earthquake.
• The building was moved into on New Year’s Eve with the help of students, teachers, families, and the first principal – Don Putnam.
• In January, 1965 the school flooded.
• 1964-65 the faculty consisted of eight teachers. Currently, there are 26 classroom teachers.
• In 1999 the new mascot, the Running Wolves, was approved.

As always, please call or email with any thoughts, ideas, or concerns.

I Answer to You!

Sincerely,

Representative Andy Josephson
State Capitol Bldg. Room 430
Phone: 907-465-4939