On Monday, we celebrate Independence Day, a great day in our nation’s history. Below, I’ve listed a number of events you and your family can enjoy this holiday weekend.
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Saturday evening, the legislature adjourned the first special session without approving any revenue measures to help close Alaska’s $4 billion deficit. On Sunday, Governor Walker called the legislature back to address Alaska’s financial challenges at a second special session to start on July 11th.
Read More →Juneau – Tonight, the Alaska House of Representatives closed out the Fourth Special Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature without making any substantial progress towards creating a balanced and sustainable plan to address the ongoing fiscal crisis in Alaska. The House failed to pass any of the revenue measures they were called into Special Session to consider by Alaska Governor Bill Walker. The 13 members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) remain committed to working on a comprehensive fiscal plan that will protect the Alaska economy and the essential functions of state government.
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On Sunday, we honor and celebrate our fathers: Happy Father’s Day to all of the wonderful fathers who provide love and support to their children and families.
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On Monday, the House approved a conference committee version of HB 247, an oil and gas tax reform bill that impacts how much progress we can make in trying to close Alaska’s deficit gap. Shortly after the House voted on oil taxes, the Senate approved a Permanent Fund restructuring bill.
Read More →Juneau – Today, the Conference Committee created to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 247 advanced a new version that continues unsustainable subsidies to the oil and gas industry that will cost Alaska hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The only member of the Minority on the Conference Committee is Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage). She objected to the new version of HB 247 and voted no on advancing the bill out of the committee.
Read More →Juneau – The members of the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition (AIDC) have consistently insisted that any plan to address Alaska’s ongoing fiscal crisis be comprehensive in nature and include reform to our flawed oil and gas subsidy system that is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars. House Bill 247 remains the linchpin to a successful fiscal plan, yet the Conference Committee has not met during the 4th Special Session of the 29th Alaska Legislature. House Resources Committee member Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) represents the AIDC on the Conference Committee and is the only member of the conference committee that originally voted yes on the compromise House bill that passed with bipartisan support.
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This week, the legislature passed a statewide operating budget and a capital budget. Passing this budget compromise means the state has avoided sending lay-off notices to state employees. Although passing the budget is a step in the right direction, the legislature has not adopted a long-term solution to Alaska’s financial challenges. There is more work to be done to implement a responsible action plan for Alaska.
Read More →JUNEAU — Today, members of the Alaska Senate Democrats and the Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition sent a letter to Laura Eskenazi, the Vice Chairman and Executive in Charge of the Board of Veterans Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, requesting immediate in-person proceedings in Alaska by the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Read More →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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