JUNEAU – Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) has filed legislation to raise education funding to account for inflation since last year’s education budget. The bill sets the base student allocation at $5,979 in FY 2016. That’s an increase of $149, which is the amount the non-partisan Legislative Research Division says is needed to inflation proof education funding from last year.
Read More →JUNEAU – Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed out House Bill 27 sponsored by Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage). The bill makes significant reforms to the foster youth system in Alaska and includes provisions intended to increase the number of available foster parents.
Read More →
Since I asked for this job, I can’t say, at the weirdest Juneau moments, “Help! Get me out of here!” I actually love representing you in Juneau. Things are a bit frantic at work. But I want you to know what’s happening. You are heartily invited to write letters to the editor to get the public activated, if you feel that’s appropriate.
Read More →
JUNEAU—Today, Representatives Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan) called on the State to prevent the destruction of wild salmon spawning and rearing waters on the prized Chuitna River near Tyonek. The Canadian company PacRim Coal proposes to dredge and dewater an 11 mile stretch of the Middle Fork of the Chuitna River. PacRim Coal plans to sell the coal from the Chuitna River streambed to China.
Read More →
Juneau – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 61 to honor those veterans who have demonstrated valor in combat while in the line of duty. Current law leaves out license plate designations for most of the important “valor in combat” medals.
Read More →
Last week the Senate passed additional major cuts to public school teachers, job counselors and education staff. Last year I and others tried to amend a three-year “education” plan that required educator cuts in many districts, and that was made worse last month when the Republican-led House Majority passed a budget deleting $32 million in promised education funds. Things got worse Friday when the Republican-led Senate hit schools with yet an additional $47 million in cuts. I believe in smart budget cuts, but not cuts with a bludgeon, or cuts that harm educational opportunity for the next generation.
Read More →