Note from Rep. Gara: Small Efforts Can Change a Life: May is Foster Care Month

Okay, it’s time I walked the talk. Do politicians ever do that? Are we allowed? Um. Yes.

This week I gave away my favorite laptop to the Laptops for Foster Youth program we started with Facing Foster Care in Alaska a few years ago. They will work with the State to match that laptop with a foster youth or recent alumni pursuing college or success in the job market. Foster youth will do, well, what kids do with laptops.

NEWS: Democrats Comment on Signing of Oil Giveaway

Rep. Kerttula and Rep. Gara comment on the signing of the oil wealth giveaway

Today, House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau) and Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) issued the following statements in response to the governor signing Senate Bill 21, the oil wealth giveaway, into law.

NEWS: House Dems Comment on NCLB Waiver

House Democratic Legislators comment on Alaska’s waiver from No Child Left Behind

Today, five Democratic legislators from the Alaska House of Representatives released the following comments on Alaska receiving a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In 2012, nine House Democratic legislators sponsored a resolution (HJR39) calling on the Parnell administration to apply for these waivers to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure student success and school accountability.

Note from Rep. Gara: Taking Credit for Gravity: Claims that Long-Planned Oil Projects are the “Sudden” Result of the April Oil Tax Rollback

Dear Neighbors,

It didn’t take long for silly season to start after the Legislative Session ended April 14. Expect a few years of “abracadabra” claims that oil projects, already being developed under ACES (the oil tax law that has been in place since 2007) are now magically the result of the massive rollback of Alaska’s share of oil revenue (an approximate $1.5 billion per year revenue reduction at $120 per barrel at a time when Alaska is already facing deficit spending). Senate Bill 21 is the oil tax bill that the oil companies, Governor, and his allies succeeded in pushing through the Legislature in April. The claims are, politely put, “flawed” in most cases.

Note from Rep. Gara: The End (of Session) Is Near. Actually It Was Sunday – Breathe Deep and Read On

Dear Neighbors,

When I come down to Juneau I look forward to making progress, and working across party lines. And, in Juneau, to a lot of rain. And planes that can’t land because of fog. But also usually to a lot of friendly folks. Well, that was like looking forward to a good movie and ending up going into the wrong theater where Gigli was playing. Too obscure a reference? Forgot the box office disaster that threatened to force Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez to leave Hollywood to look for real jobs? Look it up on Wikipedia.

ADVISORY: 1pm Mon- Democratic Legislators Press Availability

JUNEAU – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula announced their caucuses are hosting a press availability on Monday, April 15, 2013 to discuss the 2013 legislative session.

WHAT: House and Senate Democratic Legislators press availability
WHEN: April 15, 2013, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: State Capitol, Butrovich Room 203
TELECONFERENCE: From Juneau: 463-5009 – Outside Juneau: 855-463-5009

House Joint Resolution 17 Sponsor Statement: Permanent Fund Dividend

Link to the House Joint Resolution 17 sponsor statement from the office of Representative Les Gara.

Note from Rep. Gara: Good, Bad, and Ugly on Oil Bill, Education, and Housing

Dear Neighbors,

Well, in my view this session has been a disaster with glimmers of good. I wish I could put a true and happier spin on this, but I can’t. I’m including two press releases, one good and one bad. The good news is a nice bill what we passed with Rep. Mia Costello which will make Anchorage and Alaska more vibrant, and that will cost-effectively reduce the low and middle-income housing shortage in Anchorage.

House Bill 201 Sponsor Statement: Application of Pesticides and Broadcast Chemicals

Link to the HB201 sponsor statement from the office of Representative Les Gara

NEWS: Dems Stand Against Historic Giveaway of Alaska’s Oil

Massive giveaway with no commitments is based on trust, not facts

JUNEAU – Last night, House Democratic legislators stood up against the governor’s massive giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth during a debate on the House Floor that lasted well past midnight.