Rep. Kawasaki’s Newsletter: Special Session, Fairbanks Office and House Finance Meetings
The past 10 days of an extended and special session have been extremely productive as we negotiate a few items to get Governor Walker a balanced budget. Right now, the sticking points are Medicaid reform and expansion and a balanced budget with a commitment to education which I will speak to later. It is my hope that we can finish soon with our only Constitutional duty, to advance a budget.
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Rep. Tarr’s Newsletter: Juneau Update & Report From Alaska Food Security Week
The session should have adjourned on April 19th, but we have gone into overtime to make sure we have a budget that reflects the priorities of Alaskans, including education funding, Medicaid expansion, Erin’s Law, and cutting wasteful spending. This session I’ve received thousands of emails and calls of support for these priorities. When we held budget hearings thousands of Alaskans called in to support these priorities. The support has been overwhelming while the oppositional is minimal. Also, in the case of Medicaid expansion most opposing are asking for reform. I’m proud to have supported House Bill 148, that includes both expansion and reform that will result in hundreds of millions of dollars of savings.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Wrong To Vote For Time Off & Wrong To Treat Oil Companies Better Than Kids and Seniors
Last week this session should have been over. Instead it continued past its 90-day deadline. Then, during the 30-day Special Session the Governor called to finish the budget, pass Medicaid Expansion and Reform and pass legislation supporting children, the GOP asked for time off. I have no problem supporting a Republican Governor who is doing the right thing, and it’s odd that the division here is between the Governor and legislative leaders in his own party.
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NEWS: Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Members Oppose Legislative Break While Vital Legislation Hangs in Limbo
JUNEAU – Today, the Majority organizations in the House and Senate voted to give themselves a vacation by passing House Concurrent Resolution 101. It allows both bodies to recess until May 12. HCR 101 was passed along caucus lines. All thirteen members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition and the five members of the Alaska Senate Democrats opposed the resolution.
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NEWS: The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Pledges Continued Work and Negotiations in Juneau for Fully Funded Budget
JUNEAU – The Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition concurs with Governor Bill Walker in his call for lawmakers to continue working towards a fully funded budget before taking a break from the special session in Juneau. On Monday, without support from the 13 members of the Coalition, the House and Senate Majorities approved a FY 2016 budget that includes a five percent cut to public education and spending over $3 billion more than available revenue. This flawed budget could result in the elimination of vital state services as soon as August.
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