Growing a Healthy Alaska -
Last Friday, Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner rejected a costly request by the Republicans for an injunction and said that Governor Walker’s administration could begin with planned Medicaid Expansion today. This is a positive step in ensuring health care is accessible to all Alaskans.
I wanted to give you an update on the beginning of the second Special Session that is being held in Anchorage. The main focus will be the continued balanced budget discussion, education funding, Medicaid reform and expansion and Erin’s law. Here is my take on one of the strangest sessions I have had since being elected.
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While the republican leadership of the Alaska Legislature voted for a 13-day recess in the middle of session, the House Independent Democratic Coalition rejected the thought of a vacation. Like my colleagues, I continue to believe that no one deserves a break until we finish our job in Juneau. Passing a balanced budget with smart cuts, education funding to our schoolchildren and Medicaid reform and expansion to consider is still on the table. Without delay, we should continue to listen to the public, then make the tough decisions!
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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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The state’s $3.5-billion budget deficit has headlined most newspapers this session and overshadowed almost every other issue. My office has received hundreds of calls, emails, letters and messages on a variety of topics ranging from dramatic cuts to schools to the silencing of public radio and the elimination some benefits to seniors. I will personally read and listen to each and every communication and work to protect the critical and constitutionally-mandated functions of government.
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