NEWS: Budget Compromise Prevents Threat of Government Shutdown and Protects the Alaska Economy
Juneau – Today, the Alaska Legislature passed fully funded budgets for the next fiscal year that removes the threat of the first ever government shutdown in Alaska. The operating and capital budgets were passed with significant support from members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) after weeks of bipartisan negotiations between the Minority and Majority Caucuses in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
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Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Memorial Day: Remembering Our Service Men and Women
This Memorial Day, we honor the men and women of our armed forces who have bravely served our country and courageously defended our freedom. As we observe this day, I pause to remember our fallen service members and pay tribute to all they have given.
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Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Governor Walker Calls Special Session
At midnight on Wednesday, the legislature adjourned without passing a responsible action plan for Alaska and Governor Walker immediately called a special session. The Governor called the special session to address a comprehensive fiscal plan and a limited number of other matters important for Alaska.
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NEWS: Legislative Session Ends Without a Budget as Special Session Looms
Juneau – Tonight, the Second Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature came to a close without any significant action to address the ongoing fiscal crisis brought on by the sudden drop in oil prices and the broken promises of increased oil production. The House and Senate Majorities both failed to pass the FY 2017 Operating Budget.
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NEWS: Legislative Session Ends Without a Budget as Special Session Looms
Juneau – Tonight, the Second Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature came to a close without any significant action to address the ongoing fiscal crisis brought on by the sudden drop in oil prices and the broken promises of increased oil production. The House and Senate Majorities both failed to pass the FY 2017 Operating Budget.
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NEWS: Last Minute Assault on Public Education Hits School Children
Juneau – As the Second Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature reaches the constitutionally mandated end of session, lawmakers and advocates for a healthy K-12 public education system are reeling from a surprise cut to public education. On Tuesday night, the House and Senate Operating Budget Conference Committee slipped a $50 cut to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) into the proposed FY 2017 budget in violation of funding promised by state law.
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Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Oil and Gas Tax and Subsidy Reform
I hope everyone enjoyed the great sunshine this weekend! On Friday, a bipartisan group in the House passed an oil and gas tax and subsidy reform bill, House Bill 247. This legislation puts us one step closer to agreeing to a responsible action plan for Alaska.
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NEWS: Alaska House Passes Legislation to Roll-Back Many Unsustainable Oil Industry Subsidies
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives approved House Bill 247 to significantly reform Alaska’s unsustainable oil tax credit subsidy system. The members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) cautiously supported the legislation after participating in a bipartisan effort to amend the bill to dramatically increase savings and fix flaws included in previous versions of the bill.
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Rep. Claman’s Newsletter: Congratulations Graduates!
This week students, friends, and families all across Anchorage are coming together to celebrate high school graduation. Congratulations to all of Alaska’s high school graduates and best wishes on all of your future endeavors!
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NEWS: Independent and Democratic Lawmakers Call for a Halt to Illegal Lawsuit Challenging Medicaid Expansion in Alaska
Juneau – Today, the members of Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition sent a letter to the high-priced Washington D.C. law firm of Bancroft, PLLC asking them to not move forward on an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court of a lawsuit challenging the expansion of Medicaid in Alaska. The authority to move forward with an appeal has not been granted by the full membership of the Alaska House of Representatives as is required by law. Last week, a notice of appeal was illegally filed with the Alaska Supreme Court on behalf of the Alaska Legislative Council and the Alaska House of Representatives. This is despite a clear legal opinion from the Alaska Division of Legal and Research Services that such an appeal must be authorized by a vote of the full Alaska Legislature, which it was not.
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