NEWS: Gara, Costello, Receive Award for Housing Legislation

Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association recognizes HB50 for Best Practices

Today, the Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association honored Representative Les Gara and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation with its Best Practices Award for their work on legislation to promote vibrant neighborhoods and desirable businesses in low and middle income residential developments.

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NEWS: Appeals Court: Old Texting While Driving Law Not Enough

2012 Gara-Thomas legislation prevents Alaska from being one of few states without prohibition

Alaska’s old law prohibiting the use of certain visual display screen devices while driving did not prohibit texting while driving, according to an Alaska Court of Appeals decision issued this week. The decision upholds Kenai Peninsula Magistrate Jennifer K. Wells’ action that called the law into question and inspired Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and former Representative Bill Thomas (R-Haines) to pass a law specifically outlawing texting while driving in Alaska.

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