 March 13,
2015
Dear Neighbors,
Cheers, Beers and Budget
The House of Representatives passed the operating budget late last night after the House Independent Democratic Coalition offered 21 amendments and the Republican leadership rejected all of them. These amendments would have restored early education, prevented teacher layoffs across the state, improved our University of Alaska system, expanded Medicaid, improved public safety and restored promises to our seniors benefit recipients.
In total, our amendments would have made actually made further cuts to the total budget in the hundreds of millions by ensuring the oil and gas industry also feel the budget pinch that all Alaskans face. The budget now passes over to the Senate for further consideration before a conference committee is appointed later in session.
The budget is more than just dollars and cents. The budget is a moral document. It is a document that speaks to our priorities as leaders of our state. We know that investments in education from Pre-K to UA will reap rewards. Career and technical training will help our young workforce to obtain the jobs of tomorrow.
Finally, cuts should not have been made to our most vulnerable urban and rural Alaskans, our seniors, our children and those who live in poverty. The budget is certainly big and the deficit is large, but how can any lawmaker justify a budget that increases our oil and gas tax credits by 12% this year alone?
I was proud to stand along Democrats, our lone Independent and a Republican as we voted against this operating budget that clearly lost focus about what is important and in our state Constitution – namely, providing for public safety, education and health for all Alaskans.
Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,
![[SIGNED]](../../images/signatures/31.gif)
Representative Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Representative
City of Fairbanks |
