NEWS: Congress’ Student Loan Fix Highlights Need for Alaska Rate Reduction
Today’s federal deal doesn’t lower burden of high-cost Alaska student loans
Today, after Congress passed a compromise plan to address federal student loan rates, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) is encouraged that this could improve the chances of finding a way to reduce the high cost of Alaska student loans and help lower the costs of higher education and job training for Alaskans.
Read More →
NEWS: As Congress Debates Student Loans, Alaska Should Act
Reps. Gara and Tarr reach out to fellow legislators to lower student loan costs
Today, as Congress continues to debate the doubling of federal student loan rates, Representative Les Gara and Representative Geran Tarr (both D-Anchorage) reached out to fellow Alaska lawmakers to help lower the costs of higher education, job training, and high student loan rates for Alaskans. The two lawmakers wrote their colleagues in the House of Representatives seeking their input and collaboration before the 2014 legislative session.
Read More →
NEWS: Legislators Comment on Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment
Governor should act, or EPA will have to
This week, Representative Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage) and Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) submitted comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment.
Read More →
NEWS: Bi-partisan Work Leads to Housing Solutions, Vibrant Communities
Rep. Gara Applauds signing of bill to lower housing costs and help local businesses
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) applauded the signing of a bill that will make it easier for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to build affordable housing and vibrant communities in Alaska. Rep. Gara co-authored the legislation with Representative Mia Costello (R-Anchorage), which they co-sponsored, after a business in his downtown district called his office concerned about a law that was forcing it to close a popular community restaurant at Inlet Towers.
Read More →
NEWS: GOP Redistricting Board Splits Neighborhoods for Political Advantage
Gara calls for end to gerrymandering and for Court to appoint independent master
Today Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called for the GOP-dominated Redistricting Board to stop offering election maps that tear apart neighborhoods in order to create a GOP tilted election map. The courts have already rejected two Board plans as illegal.
Read More →
NEWS: Real-Time Giveaway Counter Posted
Democratic Legislators Post Oil Wealth Giveaway Cost to Alaskans in Real Time
JUNEAU – Today, the House Democratic Caucus published a real-time counter on its website (akdemocrats.org/our-oil-bill/giveaway/) to show Alaskans up-to-the-minute losses from the governor’s oil wealth giveaway, SB21. While the Governor’s giveaway is extremely generous to corporations in London and Houston, the giveaway will adversely impact individual Alaskans.
Read More →