Democrats Prioritize Education, Promote Solutions; FOCUS: parent involvement, commitment to districts, lowering cost of college and job training

JUNEAU – The state of Alaska needs to make education more of a priority, House Democrats told reporters at a press conference in the capitol today. House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula (Juneau), Representative Chris Tuck (Anchorage), Representative Pete Petersen (Anchorage) and Representative Les Gara (Anchorage) outlined their proposals to increase parent involvement in early education, to make sure school districts have the resources they need, and to make college and job training more affordable for Alaskans.

Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL SHAVE THE WHALES – AND GIVE THE POLAR BEARS A HAIRCUT – EDITION

I really like Kyle Johansen. At least this week. Johansen, the Republican representative from Ketchikan, introduced a resolution Monday that was both funny and pointed. We see pointed ones all the time. But funny ones are thin on the ground. Very thin.

Now, resolutions don’t pack much punch. One legislator – I forget who – described resolutions as “letters to ourselves.” Since I’ve been in the Leg, we’ve sent many, many, many resolutions to the President and Congress, telling them to stop doing X or to send us a bunch of money for Y. So far as I can tell, the President and Congress have been impervious to our stern but well considered words about X. Unfortunately, they seem to be sending less and less money for Y, too.

House Democratic Caucus Announces Social Media Pages

Today, the House Democratic Caucus announced its presence on three major social media websites, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The caucus will post timely news, legislative updates, and other points of interest throughout the legislative session and the rest of the year.

Please find us on the following pages:

Facebook: facebook.com/AKdemocrats
Twitter: @AKHouseDems
YouTube: youtube.com/user/AKHousedemocrats

All content is public and available to use for any non-campaign related purpose.

Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL HE’S BACK! EDITION

Here I am. Again. It appears that the wages of sin are not death. They are 90 days in Juneau.

No, that’s not true. I like Juneau. And I have, for the most part, enjoyed my time in the legislature. It has been interesting and difficult, odd and entertaining. I have made some friends and a few enemies. You’d be surprised which was which. I know I was.

Democrats: Today’s Resources Build Tomorrow’s Opportunity; Democratic Response to the State of the State shows vision for Alaska

JUNEAU – In her response to the governor’s state of the state speech tonight, House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula (Juneau) told Alaskans that Alaska must use today’s resources to build tomorrow’s future.

“You’ve elected us to lead, and it’s our job to lead in a way that honors Alaska’s courageous spirit by using today’s resources to build tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Rep. Kerttula.

Democrats Disappointed by Failure to Extend Alaska Coastal Management Program

Program’s demise threatens jobs, development, local control

House Democrats are disappointed today by the unraveling of the special session to retain the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). Democrats said abandoning the ACMP will directly affect Alaskans by killing jobs, impeding development and decreasing state and local control in Alaska.

Rep. Mike Doogan Unable to Participate in Special Session

Health concerns prevent attendance

Rep. Mike Doogan (D-Anchorage) will be unable to participate in the special session due to health concerns. Rep. Doogan is at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle receiving treatment related to his surgery last year to remove a benign brain tumor. Doogan entered Harborview on Saturday June 25; duration of his treatment is unknown but the prognosis for his recovery is good.

Rep. Doogan in Anchorage: SPECIAL BIG, BIG, BIG BUDGET EDITION

In case you missed it, here’s a Compass piece I wrote earlier this week.

State Budget, Spending Generate a Bunch of Exceptions

I don’t know if you’ve got enough money to be worth talking about. I don’t. But together, we — and every other Alaskan — have a pile of money. Not a Denali-sized pile, but nothing to sneeze at.

STUDENT CONCUSSION BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

Doogan bill will protect athletes from serious brain injuries

JUNEAU – Today the governor signed a bill sponsored by Representative Mike Doogan (D-Anchorage) to protect student athletes from serious brain injuries resulting from multiple concussions.

The bill (HB 15) requires that a student with a suspected concussion be removed from play or practice and not return until cleared by a qualified medical professional. It will prevent potential serious brain injuries that can be caused by multiple concussions.

Rep. Doogan in Juneau: SPECIAL WE’RE DONE! WE’RE DONE! (SORT OF) EDITION

My most recent e-news was last Friday. Saturday, we pulled the plug on the special session. It’s like I’ve always heard: In comedy, timing is everything.

What did we do in 117 days of sessions – 90 days of regular and 27 of special? We introduced 477 bills and resolutions. (Some were duplicates, introduced in both houses.) We passed 40 bills and an equal number of resolutions.

Only the bills really count. (Resolutions are notes we send to the Congress, the federal government and, all too often, to ourselves.) Some, like the capital budget (SB 46), are important. Others, like Alaska Public Gardens Day, less so.