Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Special Session
Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned by passing a budget that does not provide access to affordable healthcare to all Alaskans through Medicaid expansion and does not meet our constitutional duty to adequately fund public education. In addition, the budget provides only partial funding for next year and does not reflect the legislative consensus that the Alaska Constitution demands in challenging fiscal times. This Legislature needed to make smart cuts to the budget, but the cuts approved only by the majority are not in line with the interests of the people of Alaska, the Governor, and the Independent-Democratic Coalition.
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Rep. Kito’s Newsletter: start of the special session
Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned, which should have been cause for relief (or celebration), but wasn’t. Here’s why: the Legislature passed a budget that is not fully funded – which means the state would run out of money before the next session. Despite days of negotiating, we were unable to reach an agreement on a budget that works for all Alaskans. As a result, Governor Walker called us back into a special session, starting today, Tuesday, April 28 at 10 am.
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Rep. Guttenberg’s Newsletter: Special Session
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.
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NEWS: Rep. Tarr Applauds Governor Walker for his Recognition of the Importance of Erin’s Law
JUNEAU – With Monday’s adjournment, the Alaska Legislature failed yet again to take action on legislation to provide sexual abuse prevention education to K-12 students. Erin’s Law has been a top priority of Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), who sponsored one of the four bills on the subject this session.
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NEWS: Alaska Legislature Passes Irresponsible Budget Without Support from the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed the most irresponsible budget in the history of Alaska. The FY 2016 budget results in major public education cuts, eliminates nearly all early learning opportunities, jeopardizes the future of a natural gas pipeline, and makes it more difficult for thousands of Alaskans to get affordable healthcare.
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